§ 8. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have died from Paraquat poisoning since this product has been marketed; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Michael Alison)Since this product was marketed in 1962 there have been 30 deaths in England and Wales where Paraquat or one of the products containing it was mentioned on the death certificate. Of these 10 are known to have been accidental. I will circulate detailed figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HughesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the patent for Paraquat expires soon and that if, as seems likely, it is
| Total Persons | Suicide | Accidental | Open Verdicts | |||||||
| Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | |||||
| 1966 | … | … | … | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| 1967 | … | … | … | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1968 | … | … | … | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — |
| 1969 | … | … | … | 11 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1970 | … | … | … | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 1971 | … | … | … | 11 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Total Persons | … | 30 | 16 | 10 | 4 |