§ Mr. Hancock:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy (a) to ensure that the general practitioners of families of dockyard radiation workers are informed about the occupation and encouraged to enter it on the records of the children of these workers and (b) to ensure that (i) retired and (ii) former radiation workers have the opportunity of a radiation medical once a year through the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [140908]
§ Mr. Caplin:It is a matter for dockyard radiation workers to consider what information they offer to their GP about their employment. Decisions concerning what to record within medical records is a matter for professional judgment and for guidelines that may be provided by the Department of Health or the appropriate professional bodies or associations. Similarly decisions about whether to offer annual medical examinations to retired or ex-radiation workers through the NHS is a matter for the Department of Health.
The Ministry of Defence provides an independent counselling service for radiation workers, former radiation workers and their families who have concerns about their health consequent of their work with radiation. Individuals may request counselling by telephoning the Counselling Telephone line (02392 768098) and leaving their names and addresses or by writing to the MOD Counselling Registry at DSTL Radiological Protection Services, Crescent Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hants PO 12 2DL. Further details are available on the world wide web at http://www.mod.uk/dsef/hp/rwc.htm