§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of state for Defence how many claims by British nuclear test veterans have been made; and how many have been settled. [5447]
§ Mr. SpellarIt is not possible to say precisely how many claims for compensation from the Ministry of Defence have ever been made by British nuclear test veterans. However, my Department's computer records show that since 29 June 1976 109 claims for compensation for radiation linked illnesses have been made by ex-Service personnel who were involved in the British nuclear test programme. All of these cases have been repudiated because independent studies of the health of the test veterans showed that participation in the nuclear testing programme had had no detectable effect on the veterans' life expectation, or on their risk of developing cancer. However, nuclear test veterans may receive a War Pension, which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security (Mrs. Harman).