§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel were involved in the nine nuclear weapon tests near Christmas Island in the South Pacific; what records have been kept regarding their health standards since; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontAbout 1,000 civilian personnel were involved in the atmospheric test programme near Christmas Island. Most of them were employed by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston. No special records have been kept regarding their health standards since in addition to normal employee medical records. Their details are being made available to the National Radiological Protection Board, for the board to consider them for inclusion in its study.
§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available to right hon. and hon. Members the reports of the studies carried out on the test veterans involved in the nuclear weapon tests on Christmas Island; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe National Radiological Protection Board is carrying out a study of the participants in the United Kingdom atmospheric nuclear weapon test programmes, including the tests in Australia and those near Christmas Island. The study is not expected to be completed until October 1986. It is intended that the findings will be made generally available.
§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel were involved in the nine nuclear weapon tests near Christmas Island, in the South Pacific, what records have been kept regarding their health standards since; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontOver 20,000 service personnel were involved in the entire British atmospheric nuclear weapon test programme, including 12 tests in Australia and or near Christmas Island. No special records have been kept regarding their health standards since in addition to normal service medical records. Their details are being made available to the National Radiological Protection Board, for the board to consider them for inclusion in its study.