HC Deb 17 January 1983 vol 35 c36W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for compensation have been received from dependants of service men who have died following work on nuclear weapons.

Mr. Pattie

The Ministry of Defence has received four claims from the estates or dependants of British service men who participated in the United Kingdom nuclear weapon test programme in Australia or the South Pacific and where it has been alleged that death was due to exposure to nuclear radiation from the tests.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order an inquiry into claims that more than 100 service men have died from cancer caused by work on nuclear weapons.

Mr. Pattie

The Ministry of Defence announced on 12 January 1983 that it was to conduct a health survey of personnel who participated in the British atmospheric nuclear test programmes in Australia and the Pacific in the 1950s. The results from this survey will allow the individual claims now being made to be assessed on the basis of sound up-to-date statistical information.

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