Radiation claims 'too difficult'

Mr Robson said radiation exposure was to blame for his illness

Former dockyard workers are to ask a government minister to look again at criteria set for proving radiation exposure in compensation claims.

The group, who were employed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Chatham, Kent, have been pressing their case since 1989.

They will meet the defence minister, the Hove MP Ivor Caplin, on Wednesday as part of a long-running campaign.

The former dockyard workers, who believe they were exposed to radiation when they worked on nuclear submarines in the 1980s, say claims for compensation are being made too difficult.

He always firmly believed that his illness was linked to the over-exposure Linda Robson, widow of dockyard worker

The campaign, which is supported by Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford Jonathon Shaw, was started by Tim Robson, a former worker who died of Hodgkinson's disease.

His widow Linda Robson said: "Tim did work in the nuclear complex and he was exposed to radiation.

"We know from his official records from the MoD that his dose exposure was exceeded in two cases.

"He developed a cancer condition himself and died in 1995 - and he always firmly believed that his illness was linked to the over-exposure."

'Seriously compromised'

But Mr Robson was unable to claim for compensation because his cancer condition is not on the list agreed by the MoD as being connected with radiation.

His widow said: "We believe there's a wider range of cancer conditions linked to radiation than is currently believed by the MoD."

Out of more than 50 dockyard workers who have made claims so far, only two have been successful in meeting the MoD's criteria, with another two still in progress.

The campaigners intend to present evidence to Mr Caplin showing workers' claims have been "seriously compromised " by below-standard health and safety practices and record-keeping at the dockyard.

'Treated fairly'

Where the records are not complete, the MoD has said it will have to estimate the level of exposure.

Mr Shaw said: "What concerns us is how many people are making a claim with a cancer which could be linked to exposure - but it could be estimated in a way that doesn't give them compensation.

"It's a very important case and it's of great importance within the Medway towns that people are treated fairly.

"Thousands of people worked in that nuclear facility ensuring submarines went out on time during the Cold War."