Written question asked by Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 December 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Thursday, 12 December 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what measures he has put in place for tracing and monitoring armed forces personnel who served between 1950 and 1965 and were involved in nuclear tests in the South Pacific during this period; how many of these servicemen have been traced; what proportion this represents; and if he will make a statement - Inc figures. (Holding answer 10 December 2002).

Answer: Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has put in place for tracing and monitoring armed forces personnel who served between 1950 and 1965 and were involved in nuclear tests in the South Pacific during this period; how many of these servicemen have been traced; what proportion this represents; and if he will make a statement. [86308] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 10 December 2002]: As is well known, the National Radiological Protection Board conducted two studies, reported in 1988 and 1993, which assessed incidences of cancers and mortality rates in test participants and a closely matched control group. The results of the third study are expected in 2003. At the outset, some 22,000 personnel were identified as participants from service and other records representing about 85 per cent. of those believed to have participated in the United Kingdom nuclear testing programme.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 86308; 396 c423W;396 c422-3W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Health hazards Nuclear weapons Radiation exposure Staff Testing Christmas Island Veterans
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk