§ 1. Mr. LoydenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what national health service care is available for people with (a) asbestosis and (b) other industrial diseases.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Tom Sackville)The national health service is a universal service. It provides quality health care for people of all ages who need it, regardless of how that need arises.
§ Mr. LoydenDoes the Minister accept that we are talking about terribly debilitating diseases that men and women have contracted in their places of work? It appears that the Department of Health has not done enough to improve the detection of asbestosis and related diseases. Is not it time that consultation took place between the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Employment to see what improvements can be made in the early detection and treatment of such diseases?
§ Mr. SackvilleMesothelioma and asbestosis of all kinds are a tragedy that will unfortunately affect many people who have come into contact with asbestos. The diseases are difficult to detect in advance, but we try to monitor the incidence closely to ensure that everything is done to avoid further contact and further contracting of the disease.