Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 February 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what study he is making of the long-term effects of sarin. - (Holding answer 7 February 2000).

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what study he is making of the long-term effects of Sarin. [108464] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The Department is at present undertaking no specific study into any possible long-term effects of exposure to the nerve agent Sarin. There is, however, both on-going and completed MOD funded research which will inform, in general terms, our understanding of the effects of nerve agents. The results from two earlier studies on the effects of low levels of exposure to Sarin have been published: the first appeared in the "Journal of Human and Experimental Toxicology" in 1996 (Vol 15, pages 369-375); and the second in the "Journal of Psychopharmacology" in 1999 (Vol 13, pages 128-135).

Secondary information