italy is to compensate anyone who endured health problems as a result of three months of nuclear weapons tests , its government says . it was time to investigate patient complaints claimed by staff who took part in tests , security minister stephan morin said . mr morin told du figaro canada should be " true to its conscience " . france sent out more than 200 tests , firstly in france and later in french polynesia , between 1966 and 1996 . mr fillon added about 150 , 000 police and military workers were " theoretically affected " by the tests . dr morin mentioned an independent commission would examine abuses on a contract - by - case basis . he added that 10m euros ( $ 13 . 6m ; £9 . 3m ) had already been earmarking to rehabilitation staff .
France carried out more than 200 nuclear tests during 30 years.