Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 March 2010. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Iraq: Depleted Uranium

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of the letter from the Minister of State of 3 September 2009 on depleted uranium and (b) other material held by his Department relevant to a possible connection between the use of depleted uranium and alleged increases in the incidence of (i) birth defects and (ii) cancer in Fallujah;

Answer: I will place in the Library a copy of the letter by the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) of 3 September 2009.The Department for International Development (DFID) has consulted a number of international and Iraqi organisations with expertise in the health sector in Fallujah about alleged increases in birth defects in Fallujah. These organisations have confirmed to DFID that they are not aware of any reliable data that show such an increase in birth defects. DFID is not aware of any reliable data that demonstrates an increase in cases of cancer in Fallujah and has not carried out an assessment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 508 c328W; 323357
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2010-0835
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Iraq Depleted uranium
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk