§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the approximate cost to public funds of asbestos-induced disease.
§ Mr. RossiI regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing how many people have died, and how many have been disabled, through working with asbestos in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. RossiThe following table shows the number of awards of industrial death benefit in respec of asbestosis and diffuse mesothelioma for deaths occuring each year since 1974. Before that date deaths due to asbestosis were not recorded separately from those due to other forms of pneumoconiosis.
The table also shows cases of asbestosis diagnosed in connection with claims for industrila disablement benefit in each year since 1972. Cases of diffuse mesothelioma diagnosed in life are not included since reliable information about such cases is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Industrial death benefit awards for asbestosis and diffuse mesothelioma — — 116 137 161 179 150 190 184 168 Cases of asbestosis diagnosed in connection with claims for industrial disablement benefit 105 116 119 142 169 143 123 123 144 140