Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government in what year ministers were first made aware of the restricted 2014 report into nuclear fallout contamination and suppression of evidence thereof released under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on 27 February.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my gallant Friend the Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones) in the House of Commons on 23 March 2026 to the right hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Julian Lewis) in response to Question 120745 copied below.

I was first made aware of the unfinished draft document relating to historic nuclear testing at Christmas Island in December 2025. Following the release of the draft document by AWE, I wrote to interested MPs and LABRATS advising them of its release and explaining its contents on 2 March 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the letter to the Prime Minister from McCue Jury & Partners, and the firm's subsequent press release of 15 March, regarding the disclosure on 27 February under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 of a restricted 2014 report into nuclear fallout contamination and subsequent suppression of the evidence thereof.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their service and the huge contribution they made to the UK’s security. This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them. We remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

During a House of Commons debate last week, the Minister for Veterans and People reiterated the government’s commitment to maximum transparency and made a commitment to undertake work to fully understand the implications of the 2014 report and its handling, and to take action if necessary (Hansard, HC Deb, 25 March 2026, vol 783, col 377).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the disclosure of a restricted 2014 report into nuclear fallout contamination and subsequent suppression of the evidence thereof calls into question the evidence presented to the courts in the litigation preceding the judgment in Ministry of Defence v AB and others [2012] UKSC 9.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their service and the huge contribution they made to the UK’s security. This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them. We remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

During a House of Commons debate last week, the Minister for Veterans and People reiterated the government’s commitment to maximum transparency and made a commitment to undertake work to fully understand the implications of the 2014 report and its handling, and to take action if necessary (Hansard, HC Deb, 25 March 2026, vol 783, col 377).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the underlying environmental monitoring data from Christmas Island relating to the 1957–1958 nuclear tests has ever been disclosed to the courts in litigation brought by nuclear test veterans against the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their service and the huge contribution they made to the UK’s security. This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them. We remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

During a House of Commons debate last week, the Minister for Veterans and People reiterated the government’s commitment to maximum transparency and made a commitment to undertake work to fully understand the implications of the 2014 report and its handling, and to take action if necessary (Hansard, HC Deb, 25 March 2026, vol 783, col 377).

Found: Sater (Conservative, Life peer) (added 5 Sep 2024; removed 27 Jan 2026) 40 of 45 (88.9%) Lord Watson of Wyre Forest