To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on referrals by the Medical Assessment Programme in each year since it was established. (142855)

[holding answer 14 June 2007]: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The cost of running the Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) itself over the last financial year, excluding any onward referrals, was approximately £150,000. This included the cost of premises, staff, and the expenses for individual referrals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel staff the Medical Assessment Programme for (a) mental and (b) physical health; and what increases are planned in each area. (142856)

[holding answer 14 June 2007]: Since 2005, two members of staff have been working at the Medical Assessment Programme (MAP). Dr. Ian Palmer has been working one day a week at the MAP for nearly a year in addition to duties within the NHS. He will now be employed at the MAP on a full-time basis to see patients referred for mental or general health assessments. Dr. Palmer is a general practitioner and a consultant psychiatrist with a military background. He is supported in his role by his full-time secretary. We will monitor carefully the number of referrals and increase the staff resources, if required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans from (a) the 1990-91 Gulf War, (b) Operation Telic and (c) other operations have passed through the Medical Assessment Programme. (142854)

[holding answer 14 June 2007]: As at 12 June 2007, some 3,500 1990-91 Gulf veterans (including civilians), 41 Operation Telic veterans, and 138 Porton Down volunteers have attended the Medical Assessment Programme. Many of those concerned will also have taken part in other operations but this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.