§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement as to the fine ash which fell overnight on H.M.S. "Implacable" some time between 6th and 10th August, 1945, while serving in the area of Japan; and whether this fine ash was examined for radioactivity.
§ Mr. HayNo reference can be found in Admiralty records to any fine ash having fallen on H.M.S. "Implacable" between 6th and 10th August, 1945.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why his Department has no records of persons who served in the area of Japan in 1945, and also who served on H.M.S. "Implacable" in the area of Japan in 1945, and who have contracted leukaemia following their discharge from the Royal Navy; and if he will seek to obtain partial information from pension applications, and other similar sources.
§ Mr. HayThere is no reason why the Admiralty should continue to maintain medical records of naval personnel after they have left the Royal Navy, nor would it be practicable to do so. Such persons receive any necessary treatment from civilian medical practitioners.
The award of disability pensions and gratuities in respect of disabilities directly attributable to service after 2nd September, 1939, is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance. I understand, however, that only one application has been received for a disability pension on account of leukaemia alleged to have been contracted as a result of service in the area of Japan in 1945.