§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many veterans who have been awarded war pensions for illnesses arising out of their service in the 1991 Gulf War are suffering from(a) post-traumatic stress disorder, (b) irritable bowel syndrome, (c) chronic fatigue syndrome, (d) irritable bladder, (e) asthma, (f) respiratory disorders and (g) signs and symptoms of ill-defined conditions; and how many of these have been awarded pensions for suffering two or more of these conditions; [54536]
(2) how many veterans to date have been awarded war pensions for illnesses arising out of their service in the 1991 Gulf War; [54535]
(3) how many veterans diagnosed with Gulf War syndrome have been refused war pensions. [54537]
§ Mr. DenhamOne of our key aims is that delivery of service should be simpler and more efficient. The administration of the War Pensions Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.
761WLetter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 30 July 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the number of War Pensions awarded for medical conditions relating to the Gulf Conflict.I regret that the information is not available in the format requested. The War Pensions Agency does record statistics on claims from Gulf War veterans. However, such claims may relate to injuries etc received at any time whilst serving, not just during service in the Gulf Conflict. A War Pension may be awarded for any disablement which can be causally linked to service. At the end of June 1998, a total of 2315 claims had been identified for medical conditions relating to ex-servicemen whose service included the Gulf Conflict. 1610 awards of War Pension have been made.Of the 2315 claims, 537 have been received where a Gulf Veteran had made reference to a "Gulf War related illness". Of these, 283 have been awarded a pension, 44 have been rejected and 22 claims were withdrawn or lapsed. However, I am advised that medical research carried out to date has not identified a specific "Gulf Related illness". Consequently, no claims have been awarded or rejected for "Gulf War Syndrome".Information on the number of Gulf Veterans receiving pension payments for the conditions Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bladder, Asthma, Respiratory Disorders and Signs and Symptoms of Ill Defined Conditions is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.I hope you find my reply helpful.