Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 January 1997. It was answered by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Monday, 20 January 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: What assessment his Department's inquiry into Gulf War Syndrome has made of articles published in the Journal of the American Medical Association; and what is his policy on reviewing American publications on post Gulf War illness.

Answer: Mr. Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department's inquiry into Gulf war syndrome has made of articles published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association"; and what is his policy on reviewing American publications on post Gulf war illness. [11028] Mr. Soames: My Department is currently assessing the four articles and editorial on the health of US Gulf war veterans which were published in the 15 January edition of the "Journal of the American Medical Association". We continue to monitor articles on Gulf health issues in American publications, reviewing them and conducting detailed assessments as medical staff consider appropriate. The Medical Research Council has also agreed to review research carried out or in progress in the US on our behalf, in order to establish its relevance to UK Gulf health issues.

Secondary information