§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many service personnel who served in the 1991 Gulf War have been awarded war pensions for illness attributed to their service in the war. [55321]
§ Mr. TimmsThe 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.
Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 October 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of War Pensions awarded for illness attributed to service in the Gulf Conflict.My letter of 30 July 1998, in response to your previous Parliamentary Question (Official Report 31 July 1998 Column 760/761) is still relevant to the current question. This explained that, although our statistics record claims from service personnel whose service included the Gulf Conflict, such claims may not be confined solely to injuries etc. sustained in the Gulf Conflict and could include any injuries etc. received in service.I am however, able to update the figures that I gave in my earlier reply. At the end of September 1998, a total of 2,474 claims had been identified for medical conditions relating to ex-servicemen whose service included the Gulf Conflict. So far, 1,815 awards of War Pension have been made. Of the 2,474 claims, 599 have been received where a Gulf Veteran had made reference to a "Gulf War related illness". Of these so far, 345 have been awarded a pension, 46 have been rejected and 24 claims were withdrawn or lapsed.I regret that the precise information you requested is not available but to identify claims relating only to the Gulf conflict would require a manual examination of all 2,474 case files which would incur disproportionate cost. However, if you would find it helpful, I could provide a regular update on the figures available. If you would like me to arrange this, please let me know.