§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the known atomic test veterans listed on departmental files were contacted as part of the study on mortality and comparative health of atomic test veterans conducted for his Department by the National Radiological Protection Board, published last December; and what criteria were adopted in choosing those former service men to contact as part of the study.
§ Mr. HanleyThe independent study conducted by the National Radiological Protection Board was a statistical analysis of the health and service records of more than 21,000 test participants. The NRPB acquired information from a variety of independent and official sources including the British Atomic Veterans Association, the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association, the Royal British Legion, the Department of Social Security, besides NRPB and MOD records. Thus there was not a requirement to contact test participants directly.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he replied to Mr. Denzil Hancock of Abertillery, Gwent, in regard to his letter on the National Radiological Protection Board study of atomic test veterans.
§ Mr. HanleyMy officials have no record of receiving the letter referred to.