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Written question asked by Mark Todd (Labour) on Friday, 22 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 February 2008. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 March 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Porton Down: Human Experiments

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what settlement has been reached in respect of veterans' claims relating to participation in trials at Porton Down; what the implications of the settlement are for veterans not represented in the claims made; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. Substantive answer from Derek Twigg to Mark Todd:"I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 28 February 2008, Official Report, column 1808W, about compensation for Porton Down veterans.""Solicitors on behalf of Porton Down veterans issued the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a letter of claim on 8 March 2007 for alleged illnesses arising from non-therapeutic human experimentation conducted at Porton Down. 244 veterans claiming short term illnesses and 116 claiming long term illnesses formed a Group Action. The majority of claims relate to experiments involving nerve gas, mustard gas or riot control agents.""The matter has been resolved by way of mediation at which the MOD agreed to pay a global settlement of £3 million in full and final settlement to the entire group of 360 veterans and to make an apology by way of a written ministerial statement in the House, which I did on 31 January 2008, Official Report, column 26WS. The MOD has therefore paid all known claims from Porton Down veterans.""That said we recognise that more veterans, some of whom decided against joining the Group Action, might come forward. This is despite being assured by the Claimants' solicitors that the Group Action had been publicised and that those who remained in the group had been carefully selected on the basis that each had a meritorious claim for personal injury said to have been caused by exposure to a specific chemical warfare or treatment agent which was supported by expert evidence. I should make clear that the MOD did not compensate individuals for mere attendance at Porton Down.""Against this background, the MOD has decided that it will consider any additional meritorious claims that are made on or before 30 June 2008; after that date, the MOD reserves the right to plead a defence based on the provisions of the Limitation Act 1980.""Any veteran now considering pursuing a claim for compensation might wish seek advice to establish whether they have a reasonable claim against the Department. One option would be to contact the solicitors involved in the Group Action who have considerable experience already in handling such cases. They are:""Leigh Day & Co.""Solicitors""Priory House""25 St. Johns Lane""London""EC1M 4LB""or""Thompson Snell & Passmore""3 Lonsdale Gardens""Tunbridge Wells""Kent""TN1 1NX"

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
474 c166-7W; 189696
Session
2007-08
Related items
Porton Down: Human Experiments
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Notes
Question reprinted with letter.
Subjects
Chemical Defence Establishment Human experiments
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk