HC Deb 23 February 1988 vol 128 cc161-2W
26. Mr. Clay

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposed compensation to ex-service men following the recent report on United Kingdom nuclear test veterans.

28. Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposed compensation to ex-service men following the recent report on United Kingdom nuclear test veterans.

30. Mr. Snape

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposed compensation to ex-service men following the recent report on United Kingdom nuclear test veterans.

93. Mr. James Lamond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposed compensation to ex-service men following the recent report on United Kingdom nuclear test veterans.

Mr. Sainsbury

The National Radiological Protection Board published a study on the health of British nuclear tests veterans on 28 January. In the light of the conclusions of that study, which I set out in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 28 January at column309, the Ministry of Defence does not consider there is any basis for claims for common law compensation for damage to health from exposure to ionising radiation arising from participation in the British nuclear test programme. Claims for war pensions are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

59. Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the effect of nuclear weapons testing upon ex-service men who served in previous contaminated areas.

Mr. Sainsbury

I refer the hon. Member to the report published by the National Radiological Protection Board on 28 January, which I referred to in my answer on 28 January, at column309, to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key).

61. Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding the case of a judicial inquiry following the report of the National Radiological Protection Board on the incidence of cancer amongst ex-service men involved in nuclear tests; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

My noble Friend the Minister of Stale for Defence Procurement met a deputation of right hon. and hon. Members and two officers of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association on 16 February, at which this proposition was raised. My noble Friend made it clear that we do not consider that a judicial inquiry would be appropriate or would serve any useful purpose in this case particularly in view of the National Radiological Protection Board's recently published study.