§ 8. Dr. Strossasked the Paymaster-General how many men, as a percentage of the total employed, have been lost to the coalmining industry in North Staffordshire as a result of a diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, or pneumoconiosis accompanied by tuberculosis, for the years 1955, 1956, and 1957; and, in view of the high incidence of the disease, whether he will recommend that a research centre be established in this area.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn 1955, 1956 and 1937, the number of men suspended from the industry in North Staffordshire as a result of a diagnosis of pneumoconiosis with tuberculosis was 11, 13 and 11, respectively, out of a total of about 22,000. No estimate can be made of the number of men leaving the industry solely as a result of a diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. The research carried out by the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit at Llandough covers the whole country and the National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee, in agreement with the Medical Research Council, has decided that the provision of additional research centres would not help to solve the problem.
§ Dr. StrossIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a research centre for the pottery industry in this area which does invaluable work? As there is a basis for tackling the problem in one industry, would it not be better, and 5 certainly not very costly, to add to it so that both industries, coal and pottery, could be looked at together? Will he consider that?
§ Mr. MaudlingYes, but I think it is right to say that the Medical Research Council looked at this as a result of questions raised in the House two years ago by hon. Members from Stoke-on-Trent and it recommended against a new project. The matter was considered again by the National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee, on which the National Union of Mineworkers is represented, and it also came down, on balance, against it.
§ 9. Dr. Strossasked the Paymaster-General whether he has noted that in 1956, of the 405 cases of pneumoconiosis diagnosed for the first time among miners in North Staffordshire, only 36 cases were under 40 years of age; and what reason has been deduced for the steep increase in the figures for the older workers.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe proportion of younger to older men in 1956 was virtually the same as in previous years. In view of the nature of the disease, most of the new cases diagnosed are, naturally, from among older men who have been exposed to dust for longer periods.
§ Dr. StrossIs it not a fact that in this area the number of cases of pneumoconiosis tends to be high and there is a feeling among the men that it is higher in North Staffordshire than in almost any other area in the country? Could not the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether any special effort is to be made to make the work safer and whether special preventive measures could be made available for pits which are deep, hot, and certainly very dusty?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe Question referred to the ratio between men over 40 and under 40. I have the figures here for the period since 1951. Of those men contracting the disease, between 90 per cent. and 92 per cent. were aged 41 and over, so there has been very little difference in the trend.