Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Countess of Mar (Crossbench). It was answered on Tuesday, 9 December 2008.

Gulf War Illnesses

Question: My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that as long ago as July 1994, I hypothesised that there was a link between pyridostigmine bromide, the pesticides that were put on to Gulf War veterans’ tents and the exposure to chemical nerve gas? Is it not outrageous that it has taken this long—14 years—for any conclusion to be made about Gulf War veterans’ illnesses? Does the noble Lord agree that we should now sack the psychobabblers in the Ministry of Defence and rely on proper scientists who do proper research, instead of surmising that the Gulf veterans have invented their own illness?

Answer: My Lords, I am sorry but I must completely reject the essence of that approach. We are using the best scientists; we are employing people to look at this problem in the most in-depth way. I am satisfied that the Ministry of Defence is discharging its responsibility properly.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 706 c259
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
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