§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each year since 1970 (a) the total number of claimants under the pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and miscellaneous diseases benefit scheme, (b) the number of awards, (c) the number of claimants who ask for a decision to be reconsidered and (d) the number of reconsiderations which have resulted in the reversal of a decision.
§ Mr. NewtonThe following table shows the number of claimants and the number of awards under the pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and miscellaneous diseases benefit scheme since March 1982, the earliest date for which figures are available.
Year Number of claimants Number of awards 1982 52 21 1983 334 99 1984 311 120 1985 234 114 1986 (to 22 July 1986) 153 62 The information requested at (c) and (d) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.