Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 26 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 March 2004. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd February to the honourable Member for Taunton, 418 c11-12W, on Gulf War illness, if he will publish a description of the monitoring tests for depleted uranium to which he refers.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 23 February 2004, Official Report, columns 11-12W, to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Flook), on Gulf War illness, if he will publish a description of the monitoring tests for depleted uranium to which he refers. [158259] Mr. Caplin: The tests involve chemical processing of urine samples and analysis using inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This reveals both the total concentration of uranium in the urine and the relative amounts of its two principal isotopes, 238U and 235U. The Depleted Uranium Oversight Board has judged that, taking into account experimental uncertainty, a 238U/235U ratio of 142 or higher indicates the presence of depleted uranium. A pilot exercise will soon be underway to evaluate the logistic arrangements for the testing process and to establish whether urine samples collected over a 24-hour period or single ("spot") samples are more appropriate. If reliable results can be obtained from spot samples, they will be used for the main testing programme as they are more convenient for the donor.

Secondary information