§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many industrial workers were incapacitated through industrial diseases in the last year for which figures are available; and how many work days were lost due to this cause.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesI regret that the precise information requested is not available. During the period from 3rd June, 1963, to 30th May, 1964, there were about 27,000 new spells of incapacity from prescribed diseases (other than pneumoconiosis and byssinosis) for which injury266W benefit was paid. In the same period, just under 1 million working days were lost through such diseases. It is estimated that, during the same period, there were about 2,500 new awards of industrial disablement pension for pneumoconiosis and byssinosis. Not all these disablement pensioners are incapacitated for work, and some may be over pensionable age.