§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the number of people who are affected by asbestosis. [117108]
§ Mr. BrowneDisablement benefit awards under the Industrial Injuries Scheme for new cases of asbestosis each year in Great Britain from 1999 to 2001 (the last three years for which data are available) numbered 407, 447 and 461. Deaths in Great Britain with asbestosis specified as the underlying cause of death currently number around 70 per year. Figures for the total number of people suffering from asbestosis at any one time are unavailable.