HL Deb 08 July 1997 vol 581 cc67-8WA
Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer of the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 20 May (HC Deb., WA 23), whether the methodology for the causal research to be undertaken into illnesses reported by Gulf War veterans has been endorsed by the Medical Research Council, and, if not, why not; and

On what basis they believe that the causal research into illnesses reported by Gulf War veterans announced by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 20 May (HC Deb., WA 23), will have scientific validity.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

The new research programme which was announced last month will look at the possible health effects of having multiple vaccinations and taking other medication concurrently. The results of this work will help address the concerns of veterans about the use of medical countermeasures during the Gulf War, as well as inform the department's policy on the future use of such countermeasures. It is intended that the new research will be subject to appropriate independent scrutiny at every stage and that it will be a rigorous programme of work, scientifically valid in its own right.

While the Medical Research Council has not formally recommended this programme of research, Her Majesty's Government is liaising closely with the MRC to ensure that the new programme is scientifically sound and compatible with the MoD-funded epidemiological studies already under way.