Nuclear test veterans take their fight to Parliament as Patron John Baron MP secures Westminster Hall debate

Our nuclear test veterans have been campaigning for official recognition for many years, and today marks a big step forward as their case is to be aired in a Parliamentary Westminster Hall debate led by their patron John Baron MP. For years our test veterans have felt forgotten and unacknowledged by the nation for their valuable and unique contribution to developing the British nuclear deterrent.

Many veterans had no say in their posting and whilst witnessing historic events in the lifetime of our nation have been left both physically and mentally scarred by their time in service. These are proud men who feel the nation still owes them a debt of gratitude. This debate in Westminster will provide the opportunity for MPs to debate their contribution, and reaffirm the call for recognition and a £25million Benevolent Fund to support the veterans and their families.

We call on all MPs to attend and support the nuclear veterans in their ongoing campaign for recognition and support.

Jeff Liddiatt, Maralinga veteran and Vice-Chair of the BNTVA said:

“I served at Maralinga in 1960 during the Minor Trials, but it wasn’t until I was in my 50s that I started to feel the health impacts of my time in Australia. It was only when I started to speaking to others that had served and had similar health issues that I thought maybe it was because of exposure to radiation. Since then I have been involved with the BNTVA and campaigning hard for recognition.

We are not asking for much – just the recognition that we feel we deserve and a benevolent fund that will not only support the veterans but also our children and our grandchildren, some of whom are also experiencing inexplicable health complications”

John Baron MP, Patron of the BNTVA said:

“The country owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our nuclear test veterans. They undertook great risks in the service of the nation, and it is only right that the Government acknowledges their unique contribution. We all know Britain is towards the bottom of the international league tables when it comes to how we treat our test veterans – this must surely change.”

For further information please contact Katie Hill on 020 8546 9374, khill@cratus.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. As part of the Parliamentary campaign, John sent the Prime Minister a letter dated 12^th June 2013. This set out the test veterans’ case – attached is a copy for your reference.
2. The Debate “British Nuclear Test Veterans”  will take place on Tuesday 29^th October 14.30-16.00
3. John Baron MP will be available for interview – please contact Katie Hill to arrange.
4. A detailed briefing can also be arranged prior to the debate – please contact Katie Hill.
5. Westminster Hall debates give more time for individual MPs to raise issues of importance to them on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
6. Around 20,000 servicemen from all three services took part in the British Nuclear Test programme during the 1950s and 1960s, of which approx 3,000 survive today. The BNTVA has been campaigning for years for the nation to recognise the contribution that our test veterans made. Many veterans have faced various health issues since their time at the tests and many suffer mental anguish over their possible exposure to radiation.

1. The BNTVA is a premier charity representing and supporting health and wellbeing needs of all people who have worked with, or alongside, atomic material, to the benefit of the Nation. They seek to maintain the heritage of our Atomic Veterans and pass lessons they have learned to future generations. Between 1952 and 1967, in the largest Tri-Service operation since the D-Day landings, over 20,000 service personnel participated in British Nuclear Weapons Tests. The development of these super weapons brought our place at the superpower table. The cost in human terms has never been fully calculated nor appreciated.

The first test took place on the Montebello Islands, then by two tests at Emu Field and four tests at Maralinga and then tests on Christmas Island and the Malden Islands.

1. The petition can be found by clicking here: https://www.causes.com/v2actions/1758606-a-petition-to-the-british-prime-minister

1. More information on the recognition campaign can be found by clicking here: http://ntvrecognition.blogspot.co.uk/