HL Deb 19 November 1998 vol 594 c197WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of any reports of an increase in the incidence of childhood cancers, pulmonary disease, cardiac disease and immunological disorders in the population of Kuwait since the Gulf War; and whether there is any co-operation between clinicians and scientists from the United Kingdom and Kuwait. [HL3866]

Lord Gilbert

The Government have not received any representations from the Kuwaiti Government concerning an increased incidence of ill-health among the population of Kuwait since the 1990–91 Gulf conflict and are not aware of any published reports on the subject. We would, of course, be prepared to consider carefully any medical or scientific data which became available on this topic. The Government are not aware of any current co-operation between UK and Kuwaiti clinicians and scientists concerning the incidence of ill-health in Kuwait. However, we understand that there may be proposals for Kuwaiti researchers to visit the UK to discuss this issue under the auspices of the Royal British Legion.