Simultaneous measurements of electrical conductivity, the Hall coefficient, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ion-milled Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te films (x similar to 0.30 and 0.38) were performed during post-milling ageing of the films at 293 K. In the course of the PL study, a 'relaxation' of the blue-shift of the PL band of ion-milled Hg(0.70)Cd(0.30)Te was observed. The relaxation was caused by the decrease of the electron concentration due to gradual disintegration of defects induced by the milling. it is shown that while ion milling substantially changes the electrical properties of Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te, its PL spectrum in the long-term is affected insignificantly. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.