§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) health and (b) environmental studies have been carried out on the residents of the Pitcairn islands and their habitat to assess potential radiological impact from atmospheric and underground nuclear testing in the Pacific region. [40199]
§ Mr. David DavisNo specific studies have been carried out. The resident nurse has reported that the Pitcairn islanders are in good health. The Sir Peter Scott commemorative expedition, which visited the Pitcairn islands in 1991–92, reported no environmental problems as a result of nuclear testing. We do not believe that the current programme of French nuclear tests, which are being carried out underground, should cause any danger to the inhabitants of Pitcairn.