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Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2025 (named day). It was answered by Al Carns (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Veterans: Radiation Exposure

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran Records Exercise and the Merlin Database, HCWS748, if he will publish the findings gathered from the 43,000 files which have already been reviewed, in the context of the (a) age and (b) infirmity of the remaining Nuclear Test Veterans.

Answer

This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them, and we remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

As of 30 June 2025, officials have reviewed over 43,000 files, including files from the Merlin Database, as part of the exercise that is looking at concerns raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records. The contents of the Merlin database will be transferred to The National Archives (TNA) as formal public records under the Public Records Act. Records will be held in perpetuity and made available via the public facing online catalogue at TNA called "Discovery". As the records are digital they will be free to download and there will be no limit on the number that can be downloaded.

I will update the House when I am in a position to share the findings of the exercise that is looking at concerns raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
64387
Session
2024-26
Related items
Subjects
Nuclear weapons Radiation exposure Medical records Testing Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk