HC Deb 09 December 1998 vol 322 c191W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to publish the interim epidemiological reports relating to Gulf War Syndrome sufferers. [62956]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The MOD is funding two epidemiological studies into the health of UK Gulf veterans. One study, being conducted by a team from Manchester University led by Professor Nicola Cherry, aims to determine whether Gulf veterans are experiencing greater ill-health than Service personnel who did not take part in the conflict and to identify possible exposures and predisposing factors associated with any distinctive pattern of symptoms which may be found. It will also investigate whether there is an increased incidence of mortality or cancer amongst Gulf veterans. Initial results from this study are expected to emerge in the first part of next year.

The other study, being conducted by a team from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine led by Dr. Patricia Doyle, will examine the reproductive health of Gulf veterans and the health of their children. Initial results from this study are not expected until the end of 1999.

Initial results from a US-funded study by a team from Kings College, London, led by Professors Simon Wessely and Anthony David, are expected to become available at around the turn of the year.

All three research teams are working on an independent basis and therefore the publication of their results is a matter for them and not for my Department.

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