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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action the Government have taken to investigate the claims of national servicemen who volunteered for experiments at Porton Down and who believe that they have suffered damage to their health. [208868] Mr. Caplin: Although there is no scientific evidence of a pattern of unusual illness or disease occurring as a result of exposure to agents at Porton Down, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) nevertheless recognises that some former Porton Down volunteers have concerns about their health. In order to address these concerns the MOD is funding an independently-run epidemiological study, overseen by the Medical Research Council, to assess the incidence of cancer and mortality among former Porton Down volunteers. The study is expected to report in 2006 and it is intended that the results will be published soon after. In addition, any former volunteer concerned that their health has been affected by participation in the Porton Down Service Volunteer Programme can be referred by their GP to the Medical Assessment Programme (MAP), based at St. Thomas' Hospital in London. There they will have a thorough clinical examination with a consultant physician; tests and investigations if appropriate; and the opportunity to discuss symptoms or conditions and their possible linkage, if any, to the particular trials in which they took part.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

208868; 430 c900-1W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Armed forces Cancer Chemical weapons Medical examinations Research Testing Chemical Defence Establishment Human experiments Veterans

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk