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Nuclear Tests (Compensation)

Volume 75: debated on Thursday 21 March 1985

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asked the Secretary of State for Defence what factors are causing delays in resolving the question of compensation for ex-service men and widows of service men who were injured or damaged as a result of British nuclear tests in the Pacific; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have no evidence that injury or harm was caused to those involved in the British nuclear test programme in the Pacific. The question of compensation does not therefore arise. The result of the National Radiological Protection Board study of the health experience of test participants is expected to be available in late 1986, and the Government will review their position in the light of the board's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department asked the National Radiological Protection Board to study the records of service men and others who took part in British nuclear tests in the Pacific; why his Department has not released the medical records of those involved; and if he will make a statement.

Examination of the service records, in co-operation with the National Radiological Protection Board, to establish who participated in the British atmospheric nuclear test programmes in the Pacific and in Australia has been under way since the study was commissioned in October 1983. No information from the service medical records is required by NRPB, which will obtain the necessary mortality and morbidity data from Department of Health and Social Security sources.