Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 March 2000. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 March 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans he expects to be tested for depleted uranium; what will be the cost; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 6 March 2000).

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans he expects to be tested for depleted uranium; what will be the cost; and if he will make a statement. [112968] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 6 March 2000]: To address Gulf veterans' concerns, on 8 September 1999, the Ministry of Defence offered to arrange independent testing for Depleted Uranium to those Gulf veterans who had their urine tested for Depleted Uranium in Canada. This offer must not be taken as an indication that the Ministry of Defence believes veterans do have high levels of Depleted Uranium in their bodies. Rather it is something the Ministry of Defence would like to do so that we can move forward from a firm scientific basis. A draft protocol under which this testing will take place is with veterans' representatives for comment. If it is agreed, we believe that approximately 30 veterans would be eligible for testing. My Department estimates that the cost of obtaining and testing a sample of veteran's urine will be approximately £3,500 per person, excluding Ministry of Defence overheads.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 345 c652-3W; 112968
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Costs Iraq-Kuwait conflict Medical examinations Depleted uranium Veterans
Contains statistics: Yes