Waveney MP Peter Aldous has this week signed the petition in support of the campaign for recognition led by the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association (BNTVA).

The BNTVA is made up of veterans who participated in the testing of Britain’s nuclear weapons in the 1950s and 1960s – widows, decedents and supporters are also members. Many of these veterans believe that their health was adversely affected by these tests – a view substantiated by scientific research undertaken by Professor Rowlands in New Zealand and accepted by the-then government.
The aims of the campaign are twofold:

• To secure official recognition, either written or oral, from the Prime Minister, acknowledging the veterans’ unique service.
• To secure from Government an ex gratia payment of £25m to establish a Benevolent Fund. Administered by a Board of Trustees, this would distribute grants to veterans and their descendents to help with treatment and pay for care. Access to the Fund would be on the basis of need – there would be no automatic entitlement.

The campaign has the support of over 80 MPs, and will intensify in the autumn.

Peter Aldous said:
“It is crucial that we recognise the service of these veterans whose contribution played a vital role in ensuring that Britain has been able to have the necessary nuclear deterrent for the past 45 years.”