§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for compensation by British nuclear test veterans have been(a) made and (b) settled to date. [121304]
§ Dr. MoonieMy Department has recorded 144 claims for compensation from British nuclear test veterans. As there is no evidence of excess illness or mortality among British nuclear test veterans as a group which could be linked to their participation in the nuclear tests, no compensation claims from them have been settled. In any event, prior to May 1987, Service personnel were prevented from pursuing claims for compensation from the Ministry of Defence by section 10 of The Crown Proceedings Act 1947. The repeal of section 10 by the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 was not made retrospective and claims arising from injury or illness caused before the repeal are barred by law.