HC Deb 28 November 1996 vol 286 c385W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Government have spent on radiation experiments since 1966. [6563]

Mr. Soames

As far as my Department is concerned, the specific costs of these studies were subsumed into the overall Defence programme. They are not separately identifiable and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It is unlikely, however, that there would have been anything other than minor expenditure on these studies.

Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) Government and (b) private US collaboration funding has been received for the radiation-testing programme. [6567]

Mr. Soames

As far as my Department is concerned the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There is no evidence of any US private or Government funding of these MOD studies.

Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many lawsuits against the Government there have been based on the long-term health effects of radiation experiments. [6560]

Mr. Soames

I am not aware of any legal proceedings having been brought against my Department in respect of the studies involving the use of radioactive material at Aldermaston, Porton Down and Farnborough.