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Written question asked by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 November 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 November 2022 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 November 2022 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Radiation Exposure

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 13 December 2018 to Question 200586 on Armed Forces: Radiation Exposure and to National Archives documents Annex G to O92/2534(ASD 26), dated 9 January 1957, and C/6084/PA 1, dated 19 November 1957, where the results of the samples referred to in those documents are held.

Answer

Service personnel who were present at the UK nuclear weapon tests may have had blood samples taken throughout their career. Any records taken either before, during or after participation at the UK nuclear weapon tests would be held in individual military medical records in the Government's archives.

These medical records are unlikely to be collated in a form related to samples or incidences, and to ascertain what blood and urine tests may have been undertaken by service personnel would require the individual medical record of each of the personnel present at the UK nuclear tests to be located and reviewed. These records are not held centrally and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.

The Atomic Weapons Establishment holds copies of the results of urine radioactivity measurements and blood tests for a small number of individuals where these were included in scientific documentation on the nuclear weapons trials.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
77326
Session
2022-23
Related items
Armed Forces: Radiation Exposure
Thursday, 13 December 2018
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Armed forces Nuclear weapons Radiation exposure Testing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk