Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the information on the possibility of genetic damage that was given to participants in the UK nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s (a) before, (b) during and (c) after their service.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is unable to locate any information regarding whether any advice was given to participants of the UK nuclear tests regarding the possibility of genetic damage.

The MOD does hold documents which confirm that regulations were in place to ensure that protection and safety information was given by the officer responsible to all personnel involved in each task. This included subjects such as basic training in nuclear weapon effects and health physics for all ranks, personal protection and issue and use of protective clothing and dosemeters and training in radiological safety.