Written question asked by Margaret Ewing (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 17 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 July 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 July 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will give a breakdown of the cost of potential claims resulting from Gulf War related illnesses for (a) the UK and (b) Scotland, indicating for each the estimated numbers of claimants.

Answer: Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown of the cost of potential claims resulting from Gulf War related illnesses for (a) the UK and (b) Scotland, indicating for each the estimated numbers of claimants. [131596] Mr. Spellar: As at 4 July 2000 the Ministry of Defence had received 1,841 notices of intention to claim from veterans and members of their families in respect of illness allegedly arising from the Gulf conflict, although no writs or properly formulated claims have so far been received. It will not be possible to estimate the overall cost of these claims until such time as specific allegations of negligence have been submitted together with an indication of an individual's symptoms, degree of disability and personal circumstances, which would determine the level of any award. The Ministry of Defence does not record the number of intentions to claim by region.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c552W;354 c552-3W; 131596
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Compensation Costs Health Iraq-Kuwait conflict Gulf War syndrome Veterans
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk