THE Ministry of Defence today sensationally admitted that tents and sleeping bags contaminated with the dangerous pesticides blamed for Gulf War Syndrome were sold to Scout troops.

Although two Scoutmasters in the South have since been "quite ill" neither the MoD nor the Scout Association knows exactly which troops bought the potentially contaminated camping material.

Bolton South East MP, Brian Iddon, a doctor of chemistry, said today: "This is a matter of great concern. Organophosphates are well known to be toxic.

"I think the Minister of Defence must launch an immediate enquiry to find out where this equipment went."

Now officials are trying to trace where the tents and sleeping bags went after being sold off from a depot in Gloucestershire - and possibly from other army bases in the UK.

The Scouts who used them may be asked to take part in a study to determine whether the syndrome exists and whether organophosphate pesticides are to blame.

Any Scout or Scoutmaster who has felt ill after using Army surplus camping equipment purchased since the 1990/91 conflict should contact his doctor, a Defence Minister has advised.

Veterans of the war against Saddam Hussein claim that the use of OPs in the Gulf caused sicknesses and birth defects.

In the House of Lords, Defence Minister Lord Gilbert admitted that while most of the tents used were burned or buried in the Gulf, some treated with OPs were brought back and had been sold as surplus.

But the Countess of Mar who first raised the issue, said public safety had been put at risk.

A spokesman for the Scout Association said he was aware that some tents and sleeping bags had been bought but had no information as to where they went.

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