Campaigners fighting for a fair deal for servicemen exposed to the notorious Christmas Island nuclear weapons testing have won govern-ment support for a study to see if their children have been affected too.
Junior defence minister Kevin Jones has agreed to fund research after being lobbied by Norwich North MP Ian Gibson and a Conservative MP, John Baron.
The politicians have been pressing the Ministry of Defence to look at the findings of similar studies made in New Zealand, whose military personnel were also involved in the tests in the Pacific. These found a link between exposure to radiation and damage to DNA.
They also want the government to look at a questionnaire study of British Nuclear Test Veteran Assoc-iation members and their offspring which suggested much higher levels of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant mortality and congenital illness.
More than 20,000 serviceman were involved in atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons between 1952 and 1967 in the Pacific Ocean. These involving weapons much more powerful than those used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the second world war.
Previous surveys have found that 30pc of the men had died mostly in their 50s, while in their grand-children spina bifida rates were more than five times the UK norm.
The MPs last year held a two-day inquiry to discuss the findings and pressed for funding for a UK study.
They also want a new tribunal system to consider cases and compensation to veterans and think that, in the meantime, the MoD should offer a goodwill payment to each of them.
They have raised the issue at a Commons adjournment debate with Mr Jones, and they are also due to meet him again, along with veterans.
"The minister saw us beforehand and he agrees there should be work done," Dr Gibson said.
"He wants to do work that focuses on the children of some of the vets as well. He was very positive about it, and I think we have made a breakthrough."
During the debate, Billericay MP Mr Baron said: "Our inquiry heard clear personal testimony that makes us question whether adequate radio-logical standards were followed for the tests. For one thing, there is a concern that some veterans were simply too close to the epicentre of the blast.
"Witnesses described their experiences as a heatwave of extraordinary intensity, leading in some cases to temporary blindness or a sensation of blood boiling within their bodies. Others developed skin rashes and flu-like symptoms immediately after the detonations."
In his reply, the minister praised the campaigning work of the two backbenchers.
"It is important that we meet next week to see what input the nuclear test veterans can have into the process," he said. "That could help, and I am quite prepared to listen to what they have to say. Once officials have met and experts have come together to design and develop a research programme, I will make an announcement, before Christmas… on the way forward," he added.
"It will not answer all the issues raised, but I am determined to see whether we can at least get some movement and give some comfort."
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