§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of British service personnel deployed to the Gulf in 1998 refused to take anti-anthrax injections; for what reasons such injections are currently voluntary; and if he plans to make such injections compulsory. [50001]
§ Mr. George RobertsonOn 3 March this year, the Ministry of Defence announced that UK Service personnel and MOD civilians posted to the Gulf region were being offered immunisation against anthrax. As of 13 July, our records showed that 4,482 UK Service and MOD personnel have been offered immunisation and 1,469 are recorded as having commenced a course of anthrax immunisation. Hence an estimated 67 per cent. of personnel offered anthrax immunisation have declined to accept it. The level of uptake appears to be related to where an individual is serving and may be based on his or her personnel judgment as to the threat they personally face or faced. For example, 66 per cent. of personnel who were offered their first vaccination whilst serving in Kuwait have chosen to be vaccinated, but of personnel who were offered their first vaccination whilst serving on RN ships in the Gulf only 18 per cent. have chosen to accept.
712WWe consider Immunisation to be vitally important for the protection of UK Service personnel against disease, in the context of public health threats as well as defence against biological warfare agents. At present, MOD policy is that immunisation for both purposes is voluntary, on the basis of informed consent. However, the means of protecting our personnel against such threats are continually reviewed and updated in the light of changing circumstances.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 7, what estimate he has made of the numbers, breeds and species of animals required at Porton Down for the experiments relating to Gulf War Syndrome; how many experiments involving animals will be required; and what representations he has received concerning the experiments. [50625]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.