38. Dr. VERNON DAVIESasked the Secretary for Mines if he will give, for the last three years for which statistics are available, the number of cases of silicosis reported among stone workers; the number of deaths from this disease; the number of cases which developed pulmonary tuberculosis and died there from; and the kinds of stone which proved to be most liable to produce silicosis among stone workers?
§ Colonel LANE FOXSilicosis is not in general a disease which is required to be reported, and the detailed information asked for is, therefore, not available, but it may be stated that the kinds of stone most liable to produce silicosis are the more highly silicious sandstones and granite. More information will be available on this point when I have the results of a medical inquiry into the dust danger among workers in sandstone, which has been undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, in which my Department is collaborating.
§ Mr. HARTSHORNCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to obtain that Report?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the increase in the number of cases of silicosis, is there any prospect of it being scheduled as an industrial disease?
§ Colonel LANE FOXClearly, we must have the Report before we can take any action of that kind.