LOCAL MPs want the Gulf War Syndrome to be looked into officially after an independent inquiry called for the government to acknowledge the condition exists.

The demand also comes as a US report linked symptoms of veterans from the 1991 conflict with toxins such as nerve gas.

Campaigners say around 6,000 of the British who returned from the Gulf War are suffering with problems such as mood swings, memory loss, lack of concentration and fatigue.

Despite repeated calls from the Royal British Legion, the UK government has always resisted pressure to hold a full public inquiry into illnesses suffered by Gulf veterans.

The independent inquiry, funded by a charitable trust and chaired by a former law lord is currently looking at evidence from veterans and members of the scientific community.

In the light of the US report it has said there is "every reason" to accept the existence of a "Gulf War syndrome".

It recommends the MoD set up a special fund to make compen-sation payments to Gulf War veterans who have suffered ill health.

Conservative MP for Poole Robert Syms said: "There should be a proper inquiry. There should be a look at the American information to see if it tallies with ours."

He believed the US government had put more money into investigating the problem.

Labour MP for South Dorset, Jim Knight said he would be raising the issue with the Commons' Defence Committee chairman next week.

Frances Hoy from the Royal British Legion said: "The government is not involved in the current inquiry but we hope it will take notice of its finding and its recommendations."

The US report, by the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, said up to 30 per cent of US Gulf War veterans had been afflicted by "complex of multiple chronic symptoms over and above expected rates seen in veterans who did not serve in the Gulf War".

First published: November 18