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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1998, Official Report, columns 348-49, for what reasons his Department is undertaking a review of events concerning 32 Field Hospital; when this review started; when it is expected to end; and who is carrying out this review. [60330] Mr. Doug Henderson: Pursuant to my answer of 2 November 1998, Official Report, columns 348-49, my Department is undertaking a review of events concerning 32 Field Hospital, a UK unit which took part in the Gulf conflict, and the release of nerve agent arising from the US demolition of Iraqi munitions at the Khamisiyah depot in March 1991, in order to answer two Parliamentary Questions tabled in another place by the Countess of Mar on 30 October 1997. Officials in my Department's Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit commenced this review in October 1997. A report of the review is currently being written up and is expected to be completed shortly. I expect to place a copy of the report in the House of Commons Library in due course.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

319 c634W; 60330

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Armed forces Bombings Chemical weapons Deployment Casualties Health hazards Iraq-Kuwait conflict Gulf War syndrome