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Written question asked by Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 4 March 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 March 2020 (named day). It was answered by Johnny Mercer (Conservative) on Monday, 9 March 2020 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Weapons: Testing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the medical conditions of descendants of veterans who were present at the British nuclear testing programme.

Answer

There is no published peer-reviewed evidence of excess illness or mortality among nuclear test veterans as a group that could be linked to their participation in the tests or to exposure to radiation because of that participation. The Ministry of Defence has also seen no evidence of excessive ill-health or mortality among the descendants of nuclear test veterans.

Nuclear test veterans who believe they have suffered ill-health due to service have the right to apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pension Scheme. War Pensions are payable in respect of illness or injury as a result of service in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005, with the benefit of reasonable doubt always given to the claimant. Decisions are medically certified and follow consideration of available service and medical evidence and carry full rights of appeal to an independent tribunal.

The Ministry of Defence has no plans to provide compensation to the descendants of nuclear test veterans.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
25151
Session
2019-21
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Health Nuclear weapons Testing Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk