§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the light of the statement by the Lord Burlison on 8 December (H.L. Deb., col. 1275) that the Ministry of Defence will welcome any assessment of ill health in Iraq, they will now press the United Nations to authorise an independent expert epidemiological investigation into the reported increase in birth deformities, leukaemia and cancer in Southern Iraq. [HL482]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Officials from the Department for International Development (DIM) have been in discussion with the World Health Organisation (WHO) concerning possible projects to improve epidemiological surveillance in Iraq, to establish links between medical teaching institutions in Iraq and similar institutions outside Iraq, and to improve Iraq's cancer registration system. It is understood that the Government of Iraq has now approved these projects and WHO will shortly be requesting funding from governments. Her Majesty's Government will consider this very carefully when it is received.