HL Deb 10 June 1982 vol 431 c394WA
The Earl of Gosford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

The number of awards of industrial death benefit which have been made each year from 1974 to date for:

  1. (a) asbestosis
  2. (b) diffuse mesothelioma of pleura or peritoneum
  3. (c) lung cancer accompanied by asbestosis
  4. (d) lung cancer without asbestosis.

Lord Trefgarne

The following awards of industrial death benefit have been made on the basis that death resulted from (a) asbestosis and (b) mesothelioma:—

Year of Death Asbestosis Mesothelioma
1974 75 41
1975 59 78
1976 67 94
1977 70 109
1978 41 109
1979 59 128
1980 59 108
1981 58 Not Available
Industrial death benefit is not payable for lung cancer arising from exposure to asbestos as this is not a prescribed disease under the industrial injuries scheme. However, where a person suffering from asbestosis dies from lung cancer the death is regarded as a consequence of asbestosis and industrial death benefit is awarded. Information about the number of such cases is not held centrally and the cost of obtaining it would be disproportionately high.