§ 50. Mr. TINKER forasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of workpeople in the coal mining industry suffering from silicosis during the latest 12 months for which figures are available and the number who received compensation for this disease, giving separate figures for Lancashire?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)Silicosis is not notifiable and the only figures I can give are those of cases under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The Returns under that Act show that in 1930—which is the last year for which figures are at present available— there were 20 cases in which coal miners recovered compensation for disablement from silicosis. Information as to the distribution of these cases is not complete, but so far as known, only one of them occurred in Lancashire. I may add that I am informed that the Medical Board, which was set up in June last, has not so far issued any certificate in respect of any coal miner in Lancashire.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the returns, seeing that the number given is so small that it cannot be in keeping with the numbers suffering from the disease?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI cannot form any opinion as to that. The matter is one for expert inquiry by a medical board.