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

Gulf War Illnesses

Question: My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. Is he aware that US spending on research into Gulf War illnesses—£269 million—compares with £8 million here, and that these landmark findings show, "““strongly and consistently that two Gulf War neurotoxic exposures are causally associated with Gulf War illnesses””;" namely, pyridostigmine bromide and organophosphates, to which virtually all British veterans were exposed? Again, is he aware, as veterans are, that the RAC’s findings have already been discussed to good effect with President-elect Obama’s transitional committee, and that the medical press here has been no less swift and supportive in its response? Thus the Lancet, in an editorial last week, unreservedly welcoming the findings, called for, "““expanded programmes of care, support and compensation as the least that is now owed to those whose … service to their country turned into lifelong disability?””" How do we respond to that urgent, humane and highly influential plea?

Answer: My Lords, I can respond to two of those points. We believe that approximately £9 million of funding has been spent in the UK. Up to $300 million has been spent in the US. However, the very report in which the noble Lord was involved casts considerable doubt on that. We share the view of the Department of Veterans Affairs that the report’s findings must be carefully reviewed and peer-reviewed. The Department of Veterans Affairs press release states: "““Because VA has traditionally and by law relied upon IOM for independent and credible reviews of the science behind these particular veterans’ health issues, Secretary of Veterans Affairs … has asked IOM to review the advisory committee’s report before VA officially responds to the report’s conclusions””." The Ministry of Defence intends to consider this long report very carefully before responding in detail to it.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 706 c257-8
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Gulf War Illnesses
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; 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 Veterans US Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk