§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the subject of the possible effects of nuclear irradiation on British servicemen who took part in nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s from the British Legion, the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association, and other such organisations and individuals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerWhilst I have not received representations from the Royal British Legion or the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association, I and my predecessors have received numerous representations from the British Nuclear Test Veterans' Association as well as from individuals on various aspects of the British nuclear test programme. Many claim that the illnesses they are now suffering are due to their having been exposed to ionising radiation during the trials. The aim of the study which the Ministry of Defence has commissioned from the National Radiological Protection Board is to show whether the health of participants has been disadvantaged in any way as a result of their involvement in the trials programme. The study is expected to be complete by autumn 1986. As I have explained in the note, which I enclosed with my letter of 6 December 1984 to all Members of Parliament, the radiological safety precautions taken during the trials were such that of the participants the vast majority experienced only negligible exposure to radiation and none should have suffered harm.