§ 49 Mr. Harperasked the Minister of Power to what extent the incidence of pneumoconiosis has been increasing in the Yorkshire coalfield in the last 10 years; and what further action is contemplated to reduce the dangers which cause this disease.
§ 50 Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Power to what extent silicosis is still prevalent in the Yorkshire coalfield; what is the number of reported cases over the past 10 years; and how this compares with the national average.
§ Mr. PeytonThe number of cases of pneumoconiosis—which includes silicosis—first diagnosed in the Yorkshire coalfield in 1962 was 518, compared with 377 cases in 1953 and an annual average of 581 over the 10 years 1953–62; during the same period the national annual average was 3,670. The National Coal Board and my Department continue to investigate the causes of the disease; the reduction of the dust content of underground atmospheres engages their constant attention and is the subject of continuing research.
§ 51. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Power what increase has occurred in the number suffering from epidermy- 159W phitosis and other industrial diseases, apart from pneumoconiosis and silicosis, in the Yorkshire coalfield over the past 10 years.
§ Mr. PeytonNo increase in the incidence of prescribed industrial diseases—other than pneumoconiosis and silicosis—has occurred in the Yorkshire coalfield over the last 10 years. Epidermophytosis is not a prescribed industrial disease under the Industrial Injuries Acts and the number of persons suffering from it is not known.