§ 10. Dr. Strossasked the Paymaster-General what number of coal miners in the North Staffordshire coalfield were certified to be suffering from pneumoconiosis in simple and in complicated form for the years 1956, 1957 and 1958; and whether he will make a statement on the general trends or early diagnosis and the action taken.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Sir Ian Horobin)In 1956, 1957 and 1958, the numbers of cases among coal miners in the north Staffordshire Area of the National Coal Board diagnosed for the first time by the pneumoconiosis medical boards were 405, 513 and 111. The great majority of these cases were diagnosed in the early stages, but, as the hon. Member knows, figures of this sort are subject to so many different factors that they cannot be taken as indicating any definite trend in the incidence of the disease. Separate figures of simple and complicated pneumoconiosis are not available area by area.
§ Dr. StrossWould it be fair to assume from those figures that the dramatic fall in 1958 may be due to the case taking and the vigour with which this matter was investigated in previous years, when there was, of course, a steep rise? May we assume that everything will be done to ensure that every case is diagnosed as early as possible and that any with the complication of tuberculosis will be removed from the coalfield?
§ Sir I. HorobinI would agree with the hon. Member that the figures are encouraging. I can tell him further that out of the last 111 only five were diagnosed at more than 30 per cent. disability, and so I think there is some indication that the work is being carried on successfully.
§ 11. Dr. Strossasked the Paymaster-General what action is being taken in the North Staffordshire coalfield to discover cases of pulmonary tuberculosis among miners; and with what success.
§ Sir I. HorobinIn adition to the work of the mass miniature radiography units operating under the National Health Service the National Coal Board have now introduced their scheme for the periodic chest X-ray of mineworkers. The Board's West Midlands unit has already started work in the North Staffordshire coalfield; but it is too early to make any statement on the results.
§ Dr. StrossIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the mass radiography investigation, which did such excellent work for a number of years, is now to cease in respect of the North Staffordshire miners? Can he give an assurance that the work will be taken over by the National Coal Board and that there will be periodic examinations of all miners in the coal pits?
§ Sir I. HorobinI think—I will confirm it—that the hon. Gentleman is wrong. My recollection is that at a recent meeting of the National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee, at which I was in the chair, the National Coal Board and the Ministry of Health agreed to co-operate as far as possible to ensure overlapping, thus reducing the time between examination. However, if the hon. Gentleman would care to get in touch with me I will look into the matter.