Agent Orange test results on soil samples from Kindley Air Force Base have been delayed.

Government shipped batches abroad in its investigation into claims the lethal defoliant was dumped and burned when the base was occupied by the US military during the 1960s.

Two months ago, Works and Engineering Minister Dennis Lister said samples were being sent overseas, thought to be Canada, with results expected in Bermuda two days ago.

That date has now passed, but the Ministry says it has not received the results, and is unable to provide a revised date for their arrival. "Once we have received and analysed the results, the Minister will provide an update to the public," said Permanent Secretary Derrick Binns.

US Army veteran Ronald Slater alleges Agent Orange, now said to cause horrific disfigurements and serious illness to those exposed to it, was disposed at Kindley in the 1960s.

Mr. Slater said numerous barrels of the toxic substance were poured into deep pits and set on fire, sending thick smoke over nearby St. David's homes. He said he was then instructed to bulldoze the remaining waste into the sea.

During the 1960s, millions of gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed across parts of Vietnam by the US military. Many war veterans who have suffered ill health after being exposed to its chemical clouds have since claimed compensation from the US Government.

Mr. Slater believes his poor health, including Type Two diabetes, was brought on by exposure to Agent Orange and has been lobbying the US Government for compensation without success for months.

In July, Mr. Lister said a representative of the firm which undertook environmental testing at Kindley 12 years ago had confirmed that it had "aggressively sought" to determine whether Agent Orange was present, but that no measurable levels were found.

"I fully expect that the results of the current testing will be similar to the tests taken at the time of the US departure from the Baselands. As indicated, those extensive tests did not reveal any measurable levels of contaminants," he said.