§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of registered deaths in the United Kingdom within the last 12 months where the cause of death was due to exposure to asbestos; and if he will make a statement. [66650]
§ Ms HewittThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 January 1999:
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of registered deaths in the United Kingdom within the last 12 months where the cause of death was due to exposure to asbestos.In 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 1,597 deaths in the United Kingdom that were certified with asbestos or asbestos related diseases as a main or contributory cause of death.