§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made as to whether the National Radiological Protection Board's study of nuclear test veterans who have developed posterior subcapsular eye cataracts will be undertaken in sufficient numbers to prevent a false negative result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyAlthough we are following its progress, the study in question is not being carried out on behalf of my Department. We have therefore made no such assessment.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to paying compensation to nuclear test veterans as part of the recognition given to service men in the context of the commemorations of D-day and of the end of the second world war.
§ Mr. HanleyOver the period between the nuclear tests and the end of 1990, the total incidence of death and108W malignant disease among British nuclear test veterans has been no higher than among either the general population or a matched control group. This was clearly shown in the report of the National Radiological Protection Board published last December, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. These facts do not sustain a case for compensation.