To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many nuclear test veterans are curretly awaiting determinations by his Department.

I regret that the information is not available, as such claims are not separately recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delays being experienced by Mr. John Hall of 35 Shetland avenue, Leicester, in obtaining a war pension.

A claim was received from Mr. Hall on 8 October 1989. It is necessary to obtain full details of service and medical history before a claim for a war pension can be considered. The Department's doctors are to examine Mr. Hall's papers this week and he will be contacted about his claim soon afterwards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time it takes to process a war pension application for a nuclear test veteran.

I regret that the information is not available.