48 and 49. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) the total number of cases of pneumoconiosis in West Bromwich since 5th July, 1948, up to the present time, including those who have died therefrom;
(2) the number of foundry workers in West Bromwich who have died since 5th July, 1948, who were suffering from pneumoconiosis at the time of their death.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI regret that in neither case is the information asked for by the right hon. Gentleman available.
Mr. DugdaleDoes the right hon. Gentleman's inability to provide this information not demonstrate the need to have an adequate diagnosis of this disease and in particular to have large-scale 28 away from a war economy? Will not the handful of figures which he has not yet given me show that the relative position of the old-age pensioner is getting steadily worse as we move away from the war economy? Will the right hon. Gentleman bear these facts in mind?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am not without sympathy with a certain amount of what the hon. Member has said, but I would not go so far as to say that current rates of wages are the only criteria to be taken into account.
§ Following are the figures:
§ X-rays, not only for West Bromwich but for the Black Country, so that the proper diagnosis may be made, and made early?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir. The fact that I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman the figures for which he asks has nothing whatever to do with diagnosis or medical grounds but is due to the fact that the figures for this disease are not kept on a local basis.
50. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of foundry workers in West Bromwich who are receiving special hardship allowances in addition to disablement benefit in respect of pneumoconiosis.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI gave the right hon. Member the available information in reply to his Question on 19th December, to which Answer I would refer him.