§ 2. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health what was the average age at death from silicosis and silico-tuberculosis in pottery workers in North Staffordshire in the years 1932, 1942, and 1952, and at the latest available year.
§ Mr. BraineSixty-three in 1952, 64 in 1960, including deaths assigned to pneumoconiosis unspecified, and excluding deaths of persons over 75. I regret that figures are not available for earlier years.
§ Dr. StrossBut, assuming—I think it is a correct assumption—that in the 13 earlier years the figures ware very much lower, is it not fair to deduce that there has been a very steady improvement in this matter and that we owe it to the improvement in treatment by antibiotics and the drugs used against tuberculosis?
§ Mr. BraineYes, Sir; I am advised that there has been some improvement, especially among younger workers. Unhappily, the disease is prevalent in the pottery industry, but I am advised that working conditions in the industry today are such that they should not give rise to these diseases in the future.