Collins pleased for Vietnam vets

"Vietnam veterans can be pleased with the terms of reference for the Health Select Committee's inquiry into the use of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants, and the effects on our soldiers and their families," says National's Judith Collins, a member of the Health Select Committee.

Ms Collins, who sought the inquiry, said it had come about because of a long-forgotten map providing evidence of defoliant spraying in the area of Nui Dat in Vietnam where the New Zealand troops were stationed.

"The committee will focus on identifying and examining evidence that New Zealand troops were exposed to chemical defoliants during the War, and on evaluating both the McLeod Report and the Reeves reports.

"Because the New Zealand veteran population is so small, the Committee will be looking at international studies and will be reviewing the health services required by veterans and their families.

"For more than 30 years veterans have been told that the spraying either did not occur or if any did, it was only in one incident. The terms of reference allow the Committee to find out the truth," says Ms Collins.

"I am particularly pleased for veterans that all parties were able to support this initiative from National," she said.

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