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Gulf War Illnesses

My Lords, I crave your indulgence to speak in the gap. My noble friend Lord Morris of Manchester acquits me of any discourtesy; in fact, he rather wants to see me on my feet. I speak on this subject with very little knowledge except that for a couple of years I had to field a stream of questions on it from the noble Countess, Lady Mar, and my noble friend. I cannot speak too highly of my noble friend’s dedication to this cause and the time he has put into it, as the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lloyd of Berwick, has said. I want merely to say today how much I endorse everything that I have so far heard in this debate. I ask the Minister to try to get the Ministry of Defence to move as quickly as possible to closure on this matter. I know perfectly well that she will be sympathetic. The veterans have waited far too long and have often been libelled in the press, which is most unfortunate, as I am sure my noble friend will agree. Anything that the Minister can say that will encourage us to believe that the veterans’ years of agony are quickly coming to an end will be welcome in all quarters of your Lordships’ House.