Nuclear Test Veterans: Medical Records — [Martin Vickers in the Chair]

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 10:19 am on 28 November 2023.

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Photo of Luke Pollard Luke Pollard Shadow Minister (Defence) 10:19, 28 November 2023

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Vickers. I congratulate Rebecca Long Bailey on the way she introduced the debate. I congratulate her on being persistent, calm and very clear about what justice looks like, what the veterans of those British nuclear tests deserve, and what can be done about it. This is not the only debate where she has done so; she has done that over many years. She speaks for many hon. Members, from Government and Opposition parties, when she makes the very simple case for justice, for transparency, and for an understanding that those people involved in the tests are currently being denied. I thank her for that effort.

I echo the thanks to the “Fleet Street Fox”, Susie Boniface of The Daily Mirror, for her persistent and dogged campaigning. If it were not for her arguing for the column inches, articles and time to investigate over many years, this issue would not be as loud or as prominent as it is today. Many people owe to her journalism the justice that I hope they will get in future.

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