HL Deb 19 November 1998 vol 594 cc197-8WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of reports from Iraq of very high levels of cancers among young children which are thought to be caused by their exposure to depleted uranium dust; and what is their response to these reports. [HL3865]

Lord Gilbert

The Government are aware of suggestions that there has been an increase in ill-health including alleged deformities, cancers and birth defects in southern Iraq, which some have attributed to the use of depeleted uranium, DU, based ammunition by UK and US forces during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict. However, the Government have not seen any peer-reviewed epidemiological research data to support these claims. The Government would, of course, consider carefully any medical or scientific data which was presented on this subject.