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Gulf War Illnesses

Answer

The information requested falls within the responsibilities of the Medical Research Council. Professor Blakemore, the chief executive of MRC, has written to me regarding this matter. An extract from the letter is enclosed. "““As you are aware, the MRC, through our Military Health Research Advisory Group (MHRAG), last conducted a comprehensive review of relevant Gulf research in 2003. The MRC has not changed its view from that presented in the published report the ‘MRC review of research into UK Gulf veterans' illnesses', and never stated that ‘further research into Gulf War Illness may not be worthwhile’.""I believe that this question may have resulted from an error in the minutes of a meeting of the Royal British Legion's (RBL) Gulf War Group on 5 September 2006. At the meeting, I understand that Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials reminded the Group of the MHRAG's 2003 findings that;""‘Further studies to characterise symptoms and illnesses of UK GVs based on self-reported exposures are not necessary and epidemiological studies of existing data are unlikely to lead to greater understanding’; and that""‘Further research aimed at improving the long-term health of GVs with persistent symptoms should take priority’.""The discussion of this issue was mis-recorded in theRBL minutes as ‘ ... further research into the causes of Gulf War illnesses was probably not worthwhile’. I understand that the MoD has informed the RBL of the error.””"

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

332; 687 c79WA

Session

2006-07

Related items

Gulf War Illnesses
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Written questions
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Gulf War Illnesses
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Written questions
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Subjects

Iraq-Kuwait conflict Research Gulf War syndrome Medical Research Council Veterans

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk