Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Morris of Manchester (Labour). It was answered by Lord Tunnicliffe (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 December 2008.

Gulf War Illnesses

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the implications for British veterans of the findings, published on 17 November, of the Congressionally mandated United States Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War illnesses, identifying neurotoxic exposures and, specifically, pyridostigmine bromide and organophosphates as the foremost causes of these illnesses. My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare a non-pecuniary interest, the United States Congress having co-opted me to serve on its Committee of Inquiry into Gulf War Illnesses, from whose work Federal funding of this research ensued.

Answer: My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal David Kenneth Wilson, who was killed while serving on operations in Iraq last week. The Government are assessing the report following its publication on 17 November and we will review its contents carefully. We note that the US Department of Veterans Affairs has sent the report to the Institute of Medicine for review. In 2003, the Medical Research Council undertook a review of Gulf research, including UK and overseas studies. The key recommendation was that future studies should focus on improving the long-term health of veterans.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 706 c257
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Gulf War Illnesses
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Health hazards Iraq-Kuwait conflict Research USA Gulf War syndrome Organophosphates Pyridostigmine bromide US Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Veterans
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk