§ 47. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many claims for pneumoconiosis benefit have been received in the North Staffordshire area in each of the last three years; what proportion of claims has been rejected on the first application; how many claims from widows have been rejected in each year; and what proportion of the total this represents.
§ Lieut.-Commander MaydonThe precise information requested is not available either for particular counties or for the country as a whole. It is estimated, however, that during 1960, 1961 and 1962 about 40, 47 and 43 per cent. respectively of the preliminary radiological examinations carried out by the Stoke-on-Trent Pneumoconiosis Medical Board resulted in an award of benefit. It is not possible to distinguish those persons who had already made an unsuccessful claim in the same or an earlier year. Corresponding information about claims for widows' benefit is not available.
The Stoke-on-Trent Panel covers North Staffordshire and North Shropshire.