MSP calls for Dundee centre of excellence

Andrew Welsh, Scottish National Party MSP for Angus, has called for the creation of a centre of excellence based around Dundee University research on nuclear test veterans.

Sue Rabbit Roff of Dundee's medical school has been leading research into the effect on former servicemen of radiation exposure during the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons tests on Christmas Island in the 1950s.

Mr Welsh told the Scottish Parliament that new diagnostic procedures developed at Dundee could have a wider application and could be used to establish occupational health hazards in the nuclear industry.

Scottish health minister Susan Deacon said the Scottish Executive's enterprise and lifelong learning department was investigating the development of centres of excellence that involved close cooperation between private industry and higher and further education.