HC Deb 09 January 1990 vol 164 c815
18. Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about providing compensation for ex-service personnel who took part in the nuclear testing programme.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

A number of recent representations have been received from right hon. and hon. Members and others regarding compensation for nuclear test veterans.

Mr. Howarth

Does the Minister accept that every other country in which there are veterans with these problems have now conceded this point? When will this Government concede it, in line with all the others?

Mr. Hamilton

That is true only of the Americans, and the position in the United States is different from that faced by our nuclear test veterans. We have always made it clear that if we can find direct evidence that nuclear test veterans are suffering from cancer as a result of their service in the forces, we shall compensate them. To date, we have found no evidence to support that.