§ 26. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give the number of persons registered as suffering from pneumoconiosis at a percentage of 80 per cent. and over for 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and for 1963, respectively.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Lieut.-Commander S. L. C. Maydon)At 31st October in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 the estimated numbers of industrial disablement pensions in payment for pneumoconiosis assessed at 80 per cent. and over were 2,580, 2,670, 2,630 and 2,620, or 5.7, 5.6, 5.4 and 5.3 per cent., respectively, of all pensions for pneumoconiosis. I regret that figures for 1963 are not yet available.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the Joint Parliamentary Secretary accept that there are many men assessed at 80 per cent. and over who have other chest complaints which, when totalled, give them 100 per cent. disability, but they do not qualify for the constant attendance allowance? Will he look into the matter again to ensure that, when chest diseases are, so to speak, totalled together to give 100 per cent. disability, these men can receive the constant attendance allowance?
§ Lieut.-Commander MaydonWe are constantly examining this problem in all its aspects. I assure the hon. Gentleman of that.