Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a financial compensation scheme for (a) nuclear test veterans present during the nuclear testing programme from 1952 to 1967 and (b) their families.

There is no specific compensation scheme for either Nuclear Test Veterans or their families. Any veteran, including those of the nuclear tests, who believes they have suffered ill-health due to service has the right to apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pension Scheme if they served before 6 April 2005. War pensions are payable in respect of illness or injury as a result of service in the Armed Forces, with the benefit of reasonable doubt always given to the claimant. Decisions are medically certified and follow consideration of available service and medical evidence and carry full rights of appeal to an independent tribunal.

I have met with members of the Nuclear Test Veteran community on several occasions to hear their concerns and support constructive engagement with Government. The Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister have also recently met with representatives of the community, demonstrating the importance of the issues raised and the Government’s commitment to listening to veterans and their families.