Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time equivalent civil servants are working on policy related to nuclear test veterans.

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 have made to the UK's security.

Many officials from across the Ministry of Defence are working on policy related to nuclear test veterans. Collating information on the precise number of officials is not possible, as some officials will spend periods of time focused on nuclear test veterans when certain matters arise and will then focus on other areas as and when needed.

The Secretary of State for Defence and I were glad to recently meet with the Right Honourable member and others to provide reassurance that the Department is taking seriously our commitment to Nuclear Test Veterans and that appropriate resource has been dedicated to this matter.