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Veterans: Radiation Exposure

Question for Ministry of Defence

UIN 164400, tabled on 16 July 2018

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to recognise the long-term effects on military personnel of exposure to radiation as a result of nuclear testing on Christmas Island in the 1950s; and if the Government will provide financial support and health care to personnel affected.

Answered on

24 July 2018

The Government continues to recognise and be grateful to all the Servicemen who participated in the British nuclear testing programme.

Any veteran who believes they have suffered ill health due to Service is eligible to claim no-fault compensation under the War Pensions Scheme. War Pensions are payable in respect of illness or injury due to Service in Her Majesty's 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 Service and medical evidence and carry full rights of appeal to an independent tribunal. Where the evidence supports a causal link to Service, entitlement will be given.

In response to the health concerns of some nuclear test veterans in the 1980s, the Ministry of Defence commissioned three epidemiological studies into mortality and cancer incidence among nuclear test participants. These were conducted by the independent National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), now part of Public Health England (PHE). Three analyses were carried out. The latest report published in 2003 concluded that overall levels of mortality and cancer incidence in Nuclear Test Veterans have continued to be like those in a matched Service control group and lower than in the general population. These findings form the basis of the War Pension Scheme policy on Nuclear Test Veteran claims.

Plans are now advanced for a fourth phase of the study. Should this study produce new evidence it will be carefully evaluated and appropriately reflected in War Pensions policy on claims.