Written question asked by Betty Williams (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2005. It was answered on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a health study has been carried out by the Government since 1975 on veterans of the British Nuclear Test Programme.

Answer: Mrs. Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a health study has been carried out by the Government since 1975 on veterans of the British Nuclear Test Programme. [223379] Mr. Caplin: [holding answer 22 March 2005]: The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB)--as part of their continuing studies concerning nuclear test veterans--has carried out a health study into cancer incidence. The latest of their Reports--NRPB Report W-27 entitled "Mortality and Cancer Incidence 1952-1998 in UK Participants in the UK Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Tests and Experimental Programmes" (2003)--concluded that overall levels of mortality and cancer incidence in UK nuclear weapons test participants have continued to be similar to those in a matched control group, and overall mortality to be lower than expected from national rates.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1023W; 223379
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Nuclear weapons Radiation exposure Research Testing British Nuclear Test Veterans' Association Veterans
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk