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Written question asked by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 July 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 July 2018. It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 July 2018 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Veterans: Radiation Exposure

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the alpha radiation contamination on Christmas Island during the UK nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s.

Answer

Alpha radiation was not routinely measured to monitor the environment because measuring beta and gamma radiation was more efficient.

Alpha monitoring equipment was held at Christmas Island as a contingency in the event of an accident, but was never required.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
160136
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Nuclear weapons Radiation exposure Testing Christmas Island Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk