§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaths have been reported to his Department during the last 30 years attributable to radioactive contamination; and in how many such cases the contamination has been attributable to contacts at work.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret the information is not available in the form requested. However, between 1950 and 1975, 14 awards of benefit were made under the industrial injuries scheme for deaths attributable to Prescribed Disease No. 25 "Inflammation, ulceration or malignant 449W disease of the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the bones, or blood dyscrasia, or cataract due to electro-magnetic radiations (other than radiant heat), or to ionizing particles". In the same period only two deaths were attributed on the certificate of death as being due to ionising radiation, other than in the course of medical or surgical treatment, and one of these was ascribed to contact at work. Such certificates are only likely to be issued where a sudden accidental exposure or a clear association with work is brought to the attention of the coroner, and he rules accordingly. This is seldom likely to occur, however, because of the nature of radiation diseases and the length
1. REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES Estimated expenditure per head of population 1976–77 Regional Health Authority Total £ Revenue £ Capital £ Northern … … … … 76.8 69.0 7.8 Yorkshire … … … … 77.0 70.0 7.0 Trent … … … … 72.3 62.9 9.4 East Anglia … … … … 75.7 67.8 7.9 North-West Thames … … … … 92.1 86.9 5.2 North-East Thames … … … … 96.2 89.7 6.5 South-East Thames … … … … 94.0 87.2 6.8 South-West Thames … … … … 93.7 84.5 9.2 Wessex … … … … 73.6 66.4 7.2 Oxford … … … … 73.4 66.7 6.7 South-Western … … … … 75.4 68.7 6.7 West Midlands … … … … 71.2 65.9 5.3 Mersey … … … … 85.5 75.9 9.6 North-Western … … … … 79.1 72.2 6.9
2. AREA HEALTH AUTHORITIES—TRENT REGION Estimated expenditure per head of population 1976–77 Area Health Authority Total £ Revenue £ Capital £ Derbyshire … … … … … 54.4 50.8 3.6 Leicestershire … … … … … 63.5 51.3 12.2 Lincolnshire … … … … … 63.2 58.8 4.4 Nottinghamshire … … … … … 77.5 65.9 11.6 Barnsley … … … … … 48.2 40.5 7.7 Doncaster … … … … … 53.3 50.9 2.4 Rotherham … … … … … 58.8 39.7 19.1 Sheffield … … … … … 108.1 92.8 15.3 Notes:
(a) Population—mid-1975 estimates.
(b) Expenditure per head of population does not fully reflect such factors as the structure of the population of health regions and areas by age and sex and other considerations which affect needs for health services; the movement of patients between health administrative regions and areas for treatment; the incidence of provision of clinical facilities for the training of medical and dental students; or commitments on capital schemes in progress.