HC Deb 20 January 1997 vol 288 cc450-1W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary for Defence what assessment his Department's research into Gulf war syndrome made of the possible linkage between the use of vaccines against hepatitis B and post-viral fatigue syndrome manifested in Gulf war veterans. [10894]

Mr. Soames

My Department has made no specific assessment of the possible linkage between the use of vaccines against hepatitis B and post-viral fatigue syndrome manifested in Gulf war veterans.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department's inquiry into Gulf war syndrome has made of articles published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association"; and what is his policy on reviewing American publications on post-Gulf war illness. [11028]

Mr. Soames

My Department is currently assessing the four articles and editorial on the health of US Gulf war veterans which were published in the 15 January edition of the "Journal of the American Medical Association". We continue to monitor articles on Gulf health issues in American publications, reviewing them and conducting detailed assessments as medical staff consider appropriate. The Medical Research Council has also agreed to review research carried out or in progress in the US on our behalf, in order to establish its relevance to UK Gulf health issues.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the vaccines provided for use by personnel who served during the conflict with Iraq included anti-malarial agents. [11292]

Mr. Soames

None of the vaccines provided for use by the personnel who served in the Gulf during the conflict with Iraq included anti-malarial agents.

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