Defence minister promised "urgent attention"

Government Launches £6.5 Million Gulf War Syndrome Initiative

The initiative involves new research, prompt access to medical advice for those suffering from Gulf War illnesses, and practical help for victims. Dr Reid told a news conference at the Ministry of Defence: "They don't want fine words and sympathy, they want practical help."

The move is the culmination of years of campaigning on behalf of Gulf War veterans who suffered unexplained symptoms and illnesses following the conflict. Veterans groups welcomed the decision. "We've been banging our heads against a brick wall for the last few years - now that wall has come down, " said Tony Flint of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association.

"For many veterans, it's too late"

Tony Flint welcomes the move, but says it should have come earlier

Dr Reid said he questioned no-one's motives. "We took what measures were thought necessary to protect our troops. Like anything else in life mistakes may have been made. I have asked for explanations of what happened, how it happened, and when it happened.

"We have a duty to discharge our responsibilities in respect of those who have served their country. I aim to see we do just that."

The Government's handling of the issue, he said, would be guided by three key themes :

• All Gulf veterans would have prompt access to medical advice from the Ministry of Defence Medical Assessment Programme

• The ministry would ensure that appropriate research was carried out into veterans' illnesses and factors which might have a bearing on them

• The ministry would make available to the public in general and veterans in particular any information of potential relevance.

• The initiative includes a £2.5 million research programme into the possible health effects of the combination of vaccines and tablets given to troops in the Gulf to protect them against the threat of biological and chemical warfare.

Gulf War vaccines blamed for illnesses

It will be supervised by an independent panel of scientific experts and will include a Gulf veterans' representative.

New tests, specifically aimed at assessing the short and long term effects of the simultaneous use of pertussis and anthrax vaccines, will also be carried out.

Work will also be done to prepare a full explanation of the scientific basis on which various medical counter-measures were used in the Gulf. There would also be an examination of how the anti-biological warfare vaccination programme was carried out during the conflict.

Dr Reid also announced that no-fault compensation would continue to be provided for sick veterans in the form of the War Pensions Scheme. This was in addition to normal service pensions.

The MoD said that, so far, some 1,285 Gulf veterans have applied for pensions. Of these some 295 relate to symptoms arising from undiagnosed illness.

The financial assistance provided by the full War Pension is currently £107 a week, tax free. The capitalised value of this has been assessed at £420,000 for a 35-year-old veteran, while the capitalised value of a 50% War Pension is some £100,000 for the same veteran.

Dr Reid underlined that service personnel were entitled to make compensation claims against the MoD on the same basis as employees of other organisations, and that if further investigations or research established liability, the MoD would pay compensation.

In a further document, the MoD responded to suggestions that young people could have been exposed to pesticides remaining in tents obtained from them after the Gulf War.

"The scientific advice received is reassuring on the question of safety ... Nevertheless, the particular tents in question have been identified by the Scout Association and, at their request, the MoD has made arrangements for these to be subject to chemical testing at the Department's expense. The tests are now under way and the results will be made public as soon as they are available."