§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice about protection was offered to service personnel exposed to radiation during British nuclear tests since 1963; what additional or different advice is given by his Department to service pesonnel in the same circumstances today; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyStringent safety regulations were published by, or on behalf of, the Ministry of Supply and were promulgated in HM Forces orders for each atmospheric nuclear test. These were strictly enforced under normal HM forces command and disciplinary arrangements. The successful implementation of these 681W regulations is shown by MOD records which demonstrate that test participants were not exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. This is confirmed by the lack of any excess of death or malignant disease among nuclear test veterans subsequently.
As the United Kingdom no longer conducts atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and has not done so since 1958, the MOD no longer has a need to promulgate such advice to service personnel.