Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Monday, 27 April 2009.

Gulf War Illnesses

Question: My Lords, I have a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Royal British Legion Gulf War Group. Will the Minister give a fuller explanation for why no one from his department attended the symposium in the House on 24 March on this important research work? He will be aware that first of all it was said that no invitations were received and then, in a Written Answer to me on 20 April, it was said that there was too short notice. However, I have in my hand two letters sent to the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor of Bolton, and to the Veterans Minister, dated 20 and 27 February, long before the symposium took place. Is it any wonder that veterans in the British Army feel that their service for this country is undervalued and their illnesses are not fully understood, because of the way that the ministry seems to treat all these issues?

Answer: My Lords, I refute the suggestion that we do not look after our veterans or take a serious interest in this issue. The Ministry of Defence’s policy is to attend symposiums like this one, and we would have been delighted to attend. The noble Lord may have in his hand letters of a particular date, but the Under-Secretary of State for Veterans, Kevan Jones, received an invitation in his office three days before the event took place and was already committed to another long-standing engagement overseas, while the private office of my noble friend Lady Taylor did not receive an invitation.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 710 c9
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Gulf War Illnesses
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Iraq-Kuwait conflict Research USA Gulf War syndrome US Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Veterans
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk