§ 31. Mr. ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in compensating former Chatham dockyard workers who have suffered radiation exposure. [143744]
§ Dr. MoonieRecords show that as at 1 January 2001, 39 claims for compensation from former Chatham Dockyard workers had been submitted to the British Nuclear Fuels Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases, of which the Ministry of Defence is a member. Thirty were ruled ineligible because radiation dose levels were too small, seven are presently under consideration and two have been found to meet the Scheme's criteria and be eligible for compensation. The level of compensation is being assessed and following completion of this exercise offers of settlement will be made.
A separate claim, in respect of a former worker at Chatham Dockyard, is currently being pursued as a common law case and is due to come to trial at the High Court on 12 March 2001.