§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have died from asbestos-related diseases in London in each year since 1990; and what estimates his Department has made of the number of likely deaths in future years. [146087]
§ Mr. BrowneThe numbers of deaths each year from 1990 in the Government Office Region of London due to mesothelioma, and deaths where the deceased had asbestosis are given in the following table. In addition, it is estimated that for each mesothelioma there are one to two lung cancer deaths due to asbestos.
Deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis in London, 1990–2001 Mesothelioma Asbestosis (without mesothelioma or
lung cancer)
1990 116 16 1991 109 32 1992 116 14 1993 140 14 1994 135 14 1995 138 12 1996 137 25 1997 157 14 1998 150 9 1999 158 12 2000 1161 12 2001 1175 13 1 Provisional. Source:
HSE mesothelioma and asbestosis registers.
457WStatistical modelling has been used to estimate the future peak number of mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain. Predictions of future deaths are not available for the London region. The annual total number of mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain is expected to peak at around 1,950 to 2,450 deaths some time between 2011 and 2015. (The total number of mesothelioma deaths in Great Britian in 2001 was 1,848; the 175 mesothelioma deaths in London in 2001 represent 9.5 per cent. of this total). It is estimated that the ratio of one to two of the number of asbestos-related lung cancers to the number of mesotheliomas will decrease slightly over time. No estimates have been made of the likely deaths in future years due to asbestosis.