§ 82. Mr. GOULDasked the Home Secretary the number of silicosis cases reported to his Department from the Somerset coal field during the last five years, respectively, together with the number proving fatal?
§ Mr. SHORTMy right hon. Friend regrets that he is not in a position to 1750 give this information. Silicosis is not notifiable, and the only statistics of cases of silicosis collected by the Home Office are those of cases in which compensation is paid under the Workmen's Compensation Act. Compensation for silicosis among coalminers was first provided by the Various Industries Scheme, which came into force on the 1st February, 1929, but the returns for that year do not show any cases from the Somerset coal field. The figures for 1930 are not yet available.
§ Mr. GOULDIs the Under-Secretary of State aware that representations have been made to his Department and statistics given, and I should like to have those statistics, to make a comparison with other coalfields?
§ Mr. SHORTI am not aware of that fact, but silicosis, as I have stated in my reply, is not notifiable.