Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of involvement in UK nuclear weapons testing programmes between 1952 and 1991 on the long-term health of veterans.

This Government recognises the huge contribution that Nuclear Test Veterans have made to national security and is committed to working with Veterans and listening to their concerns. We have amended the criteria for the commemorative Nuclear Test Medal and are examining unresolved questions regarding medical records as a priority.

The protection, health and welfare of those involved in the atmospheric tests was a vital consideration, as shown by the detailed documented safety measures and radiobiological monitoring that took place during the operations. An independently conducted longitudinal study of Nuclear Test Veterans who took part in the UK military nuclear test programme between 1952 to 1967, has been analysed four times over several decades. All analyses have consistently demonstrated that total cancer and mortality rates amongst Nuclear Test Veterans are aligned with those serving contemporaneously in the UK Armed Forces who did not participate in the testing programme and were lower than for the general population.

Those who participated in the nuclear test programme and feel they were negatively impacted are able to apply to the War Pensions Scheme for compensation.