§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis he expects a reduction in the numbers of persons in receipt of industrial disablement pensions in 1979–80 and 1981–82; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe main reason for the expectation is that the number of new awards has declined each year over the past 15 years from about 40,000 to some 20,000 at the present time. A decline has also taken place in the number of claims to injury benefit, which is the short-term benefit for industrial accidents and prescribed industrial diseases.