§ Lord Higginsasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many claims have been made for compensation by employees at Porton Down for illness resulting from their employment, and with what results. [HL3433]
§ Lord GilbertThe Ministry of Defence and its predecessors have been responsible for the Defence establishments at Porton Down since 1916. Since then, many thousands of staff have been employed at Porton Down. From 1 January 1948, civilian employees have been entitled to pursue common law claims for compensation against their employer. Service personnel have had the same right since 15 May 1987. It is not possible to report the total number of claims received from Porton Down civilian employees since 1 January 1948 because full records no longer exist. Similarly, computer records on Service personnel compensation claims date only from 1988. However, computer records show that, between 1 May 1994 and 30 September 1998, three claims for compensation for illness from Porton Down civilian staff have been received. Two have been settled and the other one is being progressed. Computer records from 1988 onwards show that no claims in48WA respect of illness have been received from Service personnel employed at Porton Down.