Mr Douglas Robertson: War Pension

House of Lords written question – answered at on 16 January 2003.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Morris of Manchester Lord Morris of Manchester Labour

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they reconcile the refusal to accept Gulf War Syndrome as a pensionable condition with the Army Personnel Centre's decision in the case of Douglas Robinson, a Gulf War veteran and former Sergeant Major in the Royal Military Police, whose application for a war pension, approved by the centre's medical adviser, was based on Dr R G Alexander's description of him as suffering from Gulf War Syndrome.

Photo of Lord Bach Lord Bach Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Procurement)

I believe my noble friend refers to Mr Douglas Robertson and his award of war pension by the Veterans Agency and I have answered this Question accordingly.

The overwhelming consensus of medical and scientific opinion is that there is no evidence to support the existence of a discrete medical disorder called "Gulf War Syndrome". Accordingly, this term is not used as a diagnostic label in respect of awards of war pension. However, this does not prevent Gulf veterans who are ill from getting a war pension. A war pension can be paid for any disablement provided a causal link to service is accepted.

The Veterans Agency noted that Mr Robertson's GP used the term "Gulf War Syndrome" to describe his medical condition. However, this label did not influence the outcome of his claim for a war pension. In accordance with standard practice the decision to award a war pension was based on case specific facts, the relevant standard of proof and contemporary medical understanding.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.