HC Deb 29 June 1992 vol 210 cc414-6W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how records were compiled for persons serving in the British nuclear tests, who were not issued with film badges, and what the present day monitoring procedures are.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Records of test participants were complied by the National Radiological Protection Board from personnel records, Atomic Weapons Research Establishment reports, planning documents, Her Majesty's ships' ledgers, RAF operations record books and the "blue books". As the United Kingdom no longer conducts atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, no present day monitoring procedures for this situation exist. Otherwise, monitoring procedures implement MOD policy which is to justify all exposures, comply with MOD and statutory limits and to keep all exposures as low as reasonably practicable.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records he has of contamination levels in copra, drinking water and sea water, recorded during British nuclear testing in the south Atlantic during the 1950s and 1960s; if he will make them available to the NRPB—National Radiological Protection Board—study; and if he will place the information in the Library.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Ministry of Defence records show no significant radioactive material from the tests in the south Pacific ocean was detected in drinking water, copra or sea water in any of the samples collected from areas that were occupied by participants. The monitoring records from Christmas Island are currently being compiled into a report for the National Radiological Protection Board study, and this report will be placed in the Library of the House when it is ready.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British nuclear test participants have died as a result of multiple myeloma and non-lymphatic leukaemia.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Mortality figures for multiple myeloma and non-lymphatic leukaemia among test participants will be provided in the National Radiological Protection Board report, which will be published, subject to peer review, later this year.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the purpose of the "blue book" at the time information was, initially, collated for entry; and if he has made this information available to the NRPB study.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The "blue books" are a compilation of information by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment whose purpose was to provide timely advice to test participants on their radiation exposure, if any, from the tests. The "blue books" have been made available to the National Radiological Protection Board.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the exclusion zone declared between 1 March and 1 August 1957 and the action that was taken to safeguard personnel within that zone; and if he has made this information available to the NRPB study.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The purpose of the exclusion zone was to prevent aircraft and ships from straying into a possible danger area. Personnel within the zone were at a safe distance from the detonations. The original archive documents relating to the exclusion zone can be made available for the National Radiological Protection Board's inspection should it so wish.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deaths per million have occurred annually, since 1962, resulting from multiple myeloma and non-lymphatic leukaemia in (a) the population of the United Kingdom and (b) British nuclear test participants.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on differences between British and American nuclear test programmes in connection with safety procedures and protective measures; and if he has made this information available to the NRPB study.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The United States nuclear weapon test programme was wholly different from that of the United Kingdom. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on United States safety procedures and protective measures which are entirely a matter for the United States.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has concerning persons who were provided with protective clothing at the time of the Grapple Y test who were further away from the test site than other, unprotected, test participants; and if he has made this information available to the NRPB study.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

All participants in the Grapple Y test were issued, where necessary, with suitable protective clothing to protect against the heat generated by the detonation.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests are being undertaken to identify levels of Americium contamination in British nuclear test participants and to establish whether this differs from the control group of non-nuclear test veterans.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

None.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will compensate Mr. Andrew Dickson for exposure to radiation during nuclear tests in the Pacific.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There is no evidence that Mr. Dickson was exposed to radiation whilst serving on Christmas Island. Compensation would be considered if a participant in the United Kingdom test programme could show—even on the balance of probabilities—that participation had caused any subsequent illness.

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