Many of my constituents have contacted me as Porton Down veterans about the settlement of those who helped with experiments at the MoD’s Chemical Laboratories.

I’m pleased to let you know that the Minister has agreed to allow more people to claim but has given a deadline of 30th June 2008 to do this.

From the 1940s to 1980s servicemen were exposed to various chemical agents, including sarin and mustard gas, at the Porton Down establishment. The veterans say that they were not informed about the nature of the chemical agents that they were exposed to, nor the health risks that come with them. Many thought that they were helping in finding a cure for the common cold and it has only been over the last decade that the veterans have learned of the chemical agents to which they have been exposed.

If anyone thinks they may be affected by this and would like some more information they can contact my office on 0121 443 3878.