§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will set out in tabular form in the 86W OFFICIAL REPORT the number of deaths in the city of Stoke-on-Trent in the years 1950, 1955 and 1960 to 1964, respectively, from pneumoconiosis or from other causes with pneumoconiosis; and what was the number in each year whose relatives were denied insurance benefit.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesI am informed by the Registrar General that the numbers of deaths in Stoke-on-Trent classified as due to "pneumoconiosis and chronic interstitial pneumonia" in the years 1960–64 were as follows:
1960 45 1961 73 1962 50 1963 55 Pneumoconiosis may have been present in some cases of deaths classified to other causes. Deaths assigned to pneumoconiosis were not tabulated for local areas before 1958. Figures for 1964 are not yet available.
As regards the second part of the Question, I regret that information about the number of rejected claims for death benefit is not available.
§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if full benefit will be paid in the case of Walter Thomas Newbon, of I, Brogan Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, who for 40 years worked in the pottery industry and died from pneumoconiosis.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesI understand that this claim has still to be determined by the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Board. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as a decision on the claim has been given.