Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what personnel are eligible to be awarded the Nuclear Test Medal.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The full eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal are available in the attached.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the official definition of the term British nuclear test veteran; whether that definition includes British service personnel who were officially deployed to monitor foreign atmospheric nuclear tests after 1966; and, if they are not included in the definition, whether they will establish and publish such a definition ahead of determining the scope or membership of any future inquiry or tribunal concerning nuclear test veterans.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is no official definition of the term British nuclear test veteran. Existing processes, including the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal, are considered sufficient for determining qualifying service for the relevant purpose. We have, however, taken a significant step in broadening recognition through the medal scheme by extending eligibility to all UK personnel who directly supported American atmospheric nuclear tests during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as those deployed from the UK to support the monitoring of French and Chinese atmospheric tests.
To date, nearly 6,000 veterans, or their next of kin where the veteran is deceased, have received the Nuclear Test Medal in recognition of their service. For further information on the criteria, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nuclear-test-medal-eligibility-criteria
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have an official definition of the term "British nuclear test veteran"; if so, whether that definition includes British service personnel who were officially deployed to monitor foreign atmospheric nuclear tests after 1966, including personnel of RAF 543 Squadron and RAF 27 Squadron; and if not, whether they plan to establish and publish such a definition before determining the scope or membership of any future inquiry or tribunal concerning nuclear test veterans.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is no official definition of the term British nuclear test veteran. Existing processes, including the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal, are considered sufficient for determining qualifying service for the relevant purpose. We have, however, taken a significant step in broadening recognition through the medal scheme by extending eligibility to all UK personnel who directly supported American atmospheric nuclear tests during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as those deployed from the UK to support the monitoring of French and Chinese atmospheric tests.
To date, nearly 6,000 veterans, or their next of kin where the veteran is deceased, have received the Nuclear Test Medal in recognition of their service. For further information on the criteria, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nuclear-test-medal-eligibility-criteria
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 15 September (HL2809), when the last personnel were notified of the overpayments of pension by government; and why it took over 12 months in all cases to notify personnel affected from the point at which an error was discovered.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Equiniti Paymaster and Sopra Steria Ltd (UK) are private companies independent of Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contracted Sopra Steria Ltd since May 2020 to provide pension administration services. Equiniti Paymaster delivers payment services as a subcontractor to Sopra Steria and has no direct contract with the MOD.
The immediate priority for the MOD, Sopra Steria and Equiniti Paymaster is to identify affected cases, correct pension entitlements, and ensure members receive accurate information about their individual circumstances. Support is provided throughout, including tailored repayment plans and personalised financial and welfare assistance from Veterans Services. Where applicable, pension members may request an overpayment write-off from the MOD in accordance with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money guidelines, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.
Affected members have been notified in phases, with timing dependent on the nature and complexity of each case as reviews and assessments were completed. Most cases have been addressed, though some complex cases remain under review to confirm entitlement accuracy.
The delay in notifying affected pension members after initial identification of the issue was cause by the need to assess the full extent of the error, accurately identify all the affected individuals, and validate cases before corrective action could commence. His Majesty's Government recognises that errors in pension payments may cause uncertainty for individuals and regrets any concern resulting from delayed notifications. Measures have been strengthened to improve oversight and prevent recurrence.
The MOD's contractual arrangements with Sopra Steria include provisions relating to liabilities, insurance and risk management, with contractor performance managed through established commercial and governance processes. Investigations into the causes of errors are ongoing to establish root causes and whether any contractual obligations have been breached. These findings will guide any contractual remedies.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 15 September (HL2813), whether Equiniti and Sopra are independent of government; and if so, what arrangements are in place to provide compensation for the harm caused to personnel and to government by the miscalculation errors affecting 335 personnel and increased work by the Ministry of Defence.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Equiniti Paymaster and Sopra Steria Ltd (UK) are private companies independent of Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contracted Sopra Steria Ltd since May 2020 to provide pension administration services. Equiniti Paymaster delivers payment services as a subcontractor to Sopra Steria and has no direct contract with the MOD.
The immediate priority for the MOD, Sopra Steria and Equiniti Paymaster is to identify affected cases, correct pension entitlements, and ensure members receive accurate information about their individual circumstances. Support is provided throughout, including tailored repayment plans and personalised financial and welfare assistance from Veterans Services. Where applicable, pension members may request an overpayment write-off from the MOD in accordance with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money guidelines, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.
Affected members have been notified in phases, with timing dependent on the nature and complexity of each case as reviews and assessments were completed. Most cases have been addressed, though some complex cases remain under review to confirm entitlement accuracy.
The delay in notifying affected pension members after initial identification of the issue was cause by the need to assess the full extent of the error, accurately identify all the affected individuals, and validate cases before corrective action could commence. His Majesty's Government recognises that errors in pension payments may cause uncertainty for individuals and regrets any concern resulting from delayed notifications. Measures have been strengthened to improve oversight and prevent recurrence.
The MOD's contractual arrangements with Sopra Steria include provisions relating to liabilities, insurance and risk management, with contractor performance managed through established commercial and governance processes. Investigations into the causes of errors are ongoing to establish root causes and whether any contractual obligations have been breached. These findings will guide any contractual remedies.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Coaker on 15 September (HL2810), whether they ensure that Equiniti and Sopra have insurance cover for negligence; and if so, whether liability of the insurance provider for the damage caused by miscalculation has been investigated.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Equiniti Paymaster and Sopra Steria Ltd (UK) are private companies independent of Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contracted Sopra Steria Ltd since May 2020 to provide pension administration services. Equiniti Paymaster delivers payment services as a subcontractor to Sopra Steria and has no direct contract with the MOD.
The immediate priority for the MOD, Sopra Steria and Equiniti Paymaster is to identify affected cases, correct pension entitlements, and ensure members receive accurate information about their individual circumstances. Support is provided throughout, including tailored repayment plans and personalised financial and welfare assistance from Veterans Services. Where applicable, pension members may request an overpayment write-off from the MOD in accordance with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money guidelines, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.
Affected members have been notified in phases, with timing dependent on the nature and complexity of each case as reviews and assessments were completed. Most cases have been addressed, though some complex cases remain under review to confirm entitlement accuracy.
The delay in notifying affected pension members after initial identification of the issue was cause by the need to assess the full extent of the error, accurately identify all the affected individuals, and validate cases before corrective action could commence. His Majesty's Government recognises that errors in pension payments may cause uncertainty for individuals and regrets any concern resulting from delayed notifications. Measures have been strengthened to improve oversight and prevent recurrence.
The MOD's contractual arrangements with Sopra Steria include provisions relating to liabilities, insurance and risk management, with contractor performance managed through established commercial and governance processes. Investigations into the causes of errors are ongoing to establish root causes and whether any contractual obligations have been breached. These findings will guide any contractual remedies.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representation they have made to the government of Serbia regarding the treatment afforded to Ratko Mladic's funeral in Serbia.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains unequivocal that there can be no place for genocide denial or glorification of war criminals. We continue to support international justice, accountability, and respect for the judgments of international tribunals. On 8 September, the UK's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce, summoned the Serbian Chargé d'Affaires to condemn the participation of Serbian state and military officials in commemorations surrounding the funeral of Ratko Mladić, who was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by an international tribunal. The United Kingdom emphasised the importance of respecting established judicial facts, supporting regional reconciliation, and avoiding the glorification of convicted war criminals. His Majesty's Government's position was set out publicly in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office statement of 8 September: UK summons Serbian Chargé d'Affaires to the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they used to award the Nuclear Test Medal; and what nuclear tests are eligible for an award.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Nuclear Test Medal is awarded to recognise service connected with the United Kingdom's nuclear testing programme between 1952 and 1967 and those personnel who took part in subsequent operations to monitor atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by other nations. The criteria have been expanded to now include all UK personnel who directly supported American atmospheric nuclear tests during the 1950s and 1960s, and UK personnel who were deployed from the UK in support of monitoring of French and Chinese atmospheric tests. Nearly 6,000 veterans (or awarded posthumously to the next of kin of eligible individuals) have received their Nuclear Test Medal in recognition of their service.
To qualify, individuals must have served at designated operational locations during the relevant periods, including participation in the UK nuclear test programme, support to US atmospheric nuclear tests under Operations BAGPIPES and DOMINIC, or deployment from the UK to monitor French and Chinese atmospheric nuclear tests. Eligibility is assessed against the published criteria, which specify the qualifying operations, locations, roles and periods of service required for the award.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many successful prosecutions for corporate manslaughter have been brought in each of the last five years.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Cluny - Advocate General for Scotland
Corporate manslaughter cases are considered by the CPS Special Crime Division, which handles some of the CPS’s most complex and sensitive casework.
Our manual records confirm the number of prosecution cases in which there was a conviction for corporate manslaughter in each of the last five years is as follows:
2022 – 3
2023 – 3
2024 – 2
2025 – 1
2026 – 0
The CPS does not collect data that constitutes official statistics as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Therefore, this update is based upon our collated manual records that may be subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. These figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the CPS.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of successful criminal  prosecutions brought following the Grenfell tragedy.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Cluny - Advocate General for Scotland
The CPS Special Crime Division has worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service throughout its investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire and expects to receive a full evidential file later this year. Charging decisions will be made independently, fairly and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The CPS recognise the deep significance of this case and the importance of reaching charging decisions as soon as possible. Given the scale and complexity of the investigation, CPS specialist prosecutors will need time to review all the evidence thoroughly before any final decisions are made.