§ 23. Mr. Thorneasked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the inquiry into silicosis deaths brought about by the inhalation of dust from iron-ore; and whether he has received the verdict of the jury at the inquest that was held at Romford on Saturday, 22nd April?
§ Mr. PeakeAs a result of inquiries by the Medical Research Council, it is recognised that haematite iron-ore mining is liable to give rise to silicosis, and, by an Order made in 1935, the Silicosis Scheme was extended to cover underground workers in this industry. I have seen a Press report of the inquest referred to in the second part of the question, from which it appears that death was due to silicosis, but that the deceased workman was last employed in the iron-ore industry in 1933. My right hon. Friend has no statutory power to extend the scheme retrospectively so as to cover cases where the workman had left the industry prior to the date of the Order.