§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were made to his Department at the International Conference on Hazards of Depleted Uranium in November; and if he will make a statement on progress on the testing of former(a) servicemen and women and (b) medical auxiliaries who served in the Gulf War for depleted uranium contamination. [140515]
§ Mr. SpellarMy Department was not represented at the Campaign against Depleted Uranium's International Conference against Depleted Uranium Weapons held on 4 and 5 November 2000. No representations have been received subsequently.
My Department's policy on testing Gulf veterans for uranium was set out in the paper, "Testing for the presence of depleted uranium in UK veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position" dated 19 March 1999, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. On 8 September 1999, I offered independent tests specifically for depleted uranium to those Gulf veterans who privately had their urine tested for depleted uranium in Canada before that date. A draft protocol under which that testing might take place was sent to veterans' representatives on 1 November 1999 for comment. My officials are hoping to have further discussions on this protocol with veterans and their representatives.