§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what procedure will be adopted regarding the Australian Royal Commission findings and report on the health problems of test veterans involved in the Christmas Island nuclear tests.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Australian Royal Commission was tasked by the Australian Government to inquire into the tests carried out in Australia. The Government are studying its report and will discuss with the Australian Government those recommendations which affect the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom health study undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) is examining whether harm has been caused to participants in all the United Kingdom atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, including those in the Christmas and Malden islands area. The NRPB expects to complete its study by October 1986.
§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what procedure will be adopted to seek to establish that there are no genetic effects arising among any of the civilian or military personnel who participated in the Christmas Island nuclear tests.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Bosworth, (Mr. Butler) on 31 October 1984 (at columns 1120–1121).
§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received from the Australian Royal Commission on the health problems which some of the test veterans are suffering allegedly due to their participation in the nuclear tests in the Christmas Island area.
§ Mr. Norman LamontNone. The Australian Royal Commission was appointed by and has presented its report to the Australian Government, not to the British Government. It was tasked to inquire into the United Kingdom tests carried out in Australia in the period from 1952–1964 and had no concern with the tests conducted by the United Kingdom in the Christmas Island area. One of the Royal Commission's tasks was to inquire whether the health of persons was or had been adversely affected. The United Kingdom Government are studying the report.