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Written question asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative) on Monday, 21 July 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 August 2025. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 4 August 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Veterans: Radiation Exposure

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to trace former British troops and their descendants affected by human radiation experiments; and what compensation, if any, has been paid to them.

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. I will update the House when we are in a position to share the findings of the exercise.

This Government continues to celebrate the stories of our nuclear veterans. Most recently the Universities of South Wales and Liverpool led a government-funded oral history project which was published in early July.

Nuclear test veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service have the existing and long standing right to apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pensions Scheme.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9673
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Compensation Nuclear weapons Radiation exposure Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk