§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the numbers in each of the last five years of(a) men and (b) women found to be suffering from asbestosis or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorComprehensive information about the numbers of sufferers from these diseases is not collected centrally. The estimated number of in-patient cases treated in NHS hospitals with a main diagnosis of asbestosis is given in the table.
England 1981–85 Males Females 1981 110 10 1982 80 20 1983 140 10 1984 150 30 1985 100 20 This information is based on a 10 per cent. sample of patient discharge records and because of the small numbers involved the results should be treated with caution. The annual report of the Health and Safety Executive in its tables of cases of occupational diseases awarded benefit includes figures on those suffering from asbestosis and bilateral pleural thickening. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House.