HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc120-2W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what claims have been made by serving military personnel, former serving personnel, civilian staff and relatives for damages in relation to nuclear contamination for each year since 1980; how many have been settled and at what cost; and how many are outstanding. [15949]

Mr. Soames

[holding answer 17 February 1997]Since 1980, 365 claims for damages for nuclear contamination have been made by past and present MOD employees and their relatives. Of these claims 83 are outstanding, one has been settled for £193,000 and the remainder have been repudiated. The yearly breakdown of claims received since 1980 is as detailed:

Nuclear contamination claims received since 1980
Year Civilian Service Total
1980 11 3 14
1981 2 14 16
1982 8 2 10
1983 11 34 45
1984 8 19 27
1985 5 4 9
1986 4 5 9
1987 4 8 12
1988 7 21 28
1989 4 7 11
1990 3 5 8
1991 14 9 23
1992 9 9 18
1993 25 7 32
1994 23 8 31
1995 34 8 42
1996 23 5 28
1997 1 1 2
Total 196 169 365

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what claims have been made by civilians against his Department for nuclear contamination for each year since 1980; how many of these have been settled and how many are outstanding; and what is the value of the(a) claims and (b) settlements. [15943]

Mr. Soames

[holding answer 17 February 1997]Claims from 196 civilians and their relatives have been made since 1980. Of these, one has been settled for £193,000. Of the remaining cases, 78 are outstanding and the rest have been repudiated. Information regarding the value of the claims is not available. The yearly breakdown is as detailed.

Nuclear contamination claims received from civilians since 1980
Year Number
1980 11
1981 2
1982 8
1983 11
1984 8
1985 5
1986 4
1987 4
1988 7
1989 4
1990 3
1991 14
1992 9
Nuclear contamination claims received from civilians since 1980
Year Number
1993 25
1994 23
1995 34
1996 23
1997 1
Total 196