§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the names, occupations and status of those persons who have served on pneumoconiosis panels for claims regarding asbestos since 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiI regret that the information requested is not readily available over such a long period. I shall give it as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims to pneumoconiosis panels for compensation by dependants of deceased asbestos workers have been made in the last 20 years; how many have been successful; if he will publish the figures year by year for the years 1970 to 1982; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiUntil 1974 separate records of deaths due to asbestosis and diffuse mesothelioma were not kept for the industrial injuries scheme. For the pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and miscellaneous diseases benefit schemes reliable figures were not available until 1978. I therefore regret that the information contained in the following table is all that is available.
Death Benefit Awards Year Industrial PB & MDB Injuries 1974 116 — 1975 137 — 1976 161 — 1977 179 — 1978 150 — 1979 187 14 1980 167 23 The figures for later years are not yet available.