Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Nuclear Test Veterans

Thursday 17 December 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Advisory Military Sub-Committee considers whether deployed personnel were exposed to a significant degree of risk to life and limb and arduous conditions in excess of what is normal.
  • The Minister stated that the question contained inaccuracies and that the UK is not the only country holding this view.
  • The Minister asked Veterans UK to revisit and redesign the support offered to the veterans group concerned.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Carol Monaghan SNP
Veterans
Context

The Advisory Military Sub-Committee did not recommend a service medal award for British nuclear test veterans, raising questions about the criteria used.

Question

What criteria was used by the Advisory Military Sub-Committee to inform its decision not to recommend a service medal award for British nuclear test veterans?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

The independent Advisory Military Sub-Committee first considers whether there are exceptional circumstances that merit a review. The criteria for historical recognition are the exposure of deployed personnel to a significant degree of risk to life and limb and to arduous conditions, in excess of what might be expected as part of normal service duties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about the decision criteria used by the committee for nuclear test veterans.

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Q2 Carol Monaghan SNP
Veterans
Context

The UK is the only country that performed nuclear tests without formally recognising its 20,000 nuclear test veterans. These veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation with no protection.

Question

Why does the Minister consider these veterans unworthy of a medal? The UK is the only country that performed nuclear tests that has not formally recognised the contribution of its 20,000 nuclear test veterans. These elderly veterans have heard decades of rhetoric about their bravery but without formal recognition.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I am afraid that there were a number of inaccuracies in the hon. Member's question. It is not my Department, and we are not the only country in the world that has this view. Only this summer, I met the chairman of the veterans group concerned and asked Veterans UK to revisit and redesign the support available to our nuclear test veterans. I understand the disappointment at this decision. My job is to make sure these people are looked after properly.

Not addressed: Did not address why the Minister considers these veterans unworthy of a medal.

How: I Am Afraid That There Were A Number Of Inaccuracies In The Hon. Member'S Question.

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