§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records exist of the mortality levels and cancer incidence in British nuclear test participants present at Grapple Y. [26663]
435W
§ Mr. SoamesPersonnel present during the test codenamed Grapple Y were among more than 20,000 British nuclear test veterans for whom mortality statistics were collated by the National Radiological Protection Board. The NRPB studies found no overall excess of mortality or incidence of cancer among test participants.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the National Radiological Protection Board has undertaken a study into the incidence of cancer in the children of nuclear test participants in the 1950s and 1960s. [26667]
§ Mr. SoamesNo such study has been undertaken. Studies by the National Radiological Protection Board have shown no overall excess of death or cancer among British test participants. There is therefore no reason to expect an excess of death or cancer among their children.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if personnel involved in the decontamination of HMS Tracker were included in the National Radiological Protection Board studies into British nuclear test participants. [26749]
§ Mr. SoamesOur records indicate that some decontamination work was carried out by the crew of HMS Tracker before the ship had returned to the UK. The ship's crew were included in the National Radiological Protection Board studies. We have been unable to trace any records of decontamination work that may have been carried out following the ship's return to the UK.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the National Radiological Protection Board study into the effects of nuclear tests upon service personnel took into account potential variations arising from(a) whether tests were of fission or fusion, (b) detonation yields, (c) location of tests, (d) duration of service in test areas and (e) the number of tests witnessed by each individual. [26665]
§ Mr. SoamesThe studies undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board looked at cancer among test participants for each of the operations that comprised the atmospheric test programme. This examined tests of different types, yields and locations. For no operation was there a statistically significant excess of cancer deaths. Analyses were performed of those groups with the potential for radiation exposure and of those with recorded external doses, as well as the duties undertaken by participants who subsequently developed leukaemia or multiple myeloma.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mortality statistics are held by the National Radiological Protection Board for personnel serving on HMS Tracker during British nuclear tests. [26661]
§ Mr. SoamesPersonnel serving on HMS Tracker during the nuclear tests for which that ship was deployed in a support role were among more than 20,000 British nuclear test veterans for whom mortality statistics were collated by the National Radiological Protection Board. The NRPB studies found no overall excess of mortality among test veterans.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence why Mr. Andrew Dickson of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, a British nuclear test participant, received two body scans from the National Radiological Protection Board. [26668]
§ Mr. SoamesThat is a matter between Mr. Dickson and the National Radiological Protection Board.
436W
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how British nuclear test participants, not issued with film badges, have been monitored for potential radioactivity. [26690]
§ Mr. SoamesFilm badges were issued only to those personnel who were considered likely to receive a measurable dose of radiation during the tests. It was considered unnecessary to monitor those who were not issued with film badges, as they would not have been exposed to significant levels of radiation.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations have been conducted into the incidence of cataracts in service personnel attending British nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. [26666]
§ Mr. SoamesAs more radiation exposure would be required to produce an excess of cataracts in the population than to produce an excess of cancer, and as the National Radiological Protection Board studies have shown no excess of cancer among British nuclear test veterans, no specific study of cataract incidence has been undertaken for my Department. I understand, however, that the NRPB is itself conducting a small study in this area.