Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his Department's (a) plan and (b) assessment that the time-limiting provisions of the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill will have the effect of ending any prospect of nuclear test veterans bringing to court with any prospect of success cases for compensation for serious health consequences which emerged many years after the tests in which they were required to participate.  [106885]

[Due for Answer on 2 November.]

ANSWER

The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer): The nuclear test programme of the 1950s and 1960s does not fall within the definition of "overseas operations" which applies to the limitation longstops in Part 2 of the Overseas Operations Bill. This means that any personal injury or death claims brought by the Nuclear Test Veterans will not be impacted by the limitation longstop for those claims. Nuclear Test Veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to their service have the right to apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pensions Scheme.