§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on leakage from containers of pesticide during the Gulf war; [5187]
(2) what level of protective clothing was issued to staff applying insecticides in the Gulf war; and in what languages written instructions relating to pesticides appeared. [5188]
§ Mr. SoamesThese are matters that form part of the comprehensive investigation into the use of organophoshate pesticides during the Gulf war which I announced last month,Official Report 15 October, columns 678. I will report further when this work is complete.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been undertaken by his Department into the dangers of pesticides to veterans in the Gulf war. [5261]
§ Mr. SoamesNo formal research has been undertaken by my Department into the possible effects of exposure to pesticides on the health of Gulf war veterans. We have, however, urgently examined the medical records of those who have attended the Gulf veterans' medical assessment programme and are inviting those who display certain symptoms to return for further assessment. We shall shortly announce details of the further research we will be commissioning into the health problems of Gulf war veterans.