John Baron MP highlights nuclear test veterans campaign and calls for Government recognition

MP says Britain ranks low on the ‘international table of decency’

Yesterday in the House of Commons, MPs debated alternatives to the nuclear deterrent, in the light of the Trident Alternatives Review published on Tuesday. During the debate, John Baron MP raised the issue of the British nuclear test veterans, who took part in the nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s.

In the debate, John said,

“The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association and many Parliamentarians from both sides of the House have come together to campaign for recognition for the veterans. Will the Government look again at the campaign, because we rank very lowly on the international table of decency on this issue?”

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP, replied that the veterans played an important role in the development of the deterrent.

At the end of the debate, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Dunne MP, said,

“As my hon. Friends have requested, I pay tribute to the service of the veterans of British nuclear test programmes whose contribution ensured that the United Kingdom has been equipped with an appropriate deterrent over the past 45 years.”

Afterwards, John said,

“The country owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the nuclear test veterans. They undertook great risks in the service of the nation, and I am pleased the Government is finally beginning to acknowledge this. The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) and I will continue to press the Prime Minister for official recognition for the veterans’ service and await his response to our letter.”

“A written or oral Statement would mean so much to these men. The BNTVA and I are also asking the Government for an ex gratia payment of £25m to establish a Benevolent Fund, for the aid of veterans and their descendents. Other countries are more generous with their provision for their test veterans; it is time we stepped up to the plate.”

Ends

Word Count: 345

Date: 18^th July 2013

Notes to Editors:

• John is Patron of the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association.
• In yesterday’s debate, Oliver Colvile MP also raised the treatment of our test veterans.
• In June, John met the Minister for Veterans, Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, to explain the BNTVA’s campaign. He is awaiting a response.
• Also in June, the BNTVA and John sent a letter to the Prime Minister explaining their campaign. They are awaiting a response.