§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Power what progress has been made with the 20 Pit Scheme into the causation and incidence of pneumoconiosis; and when a report of its findings can be expected.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe scheme to which my right hon. Friend refers has been in operation since 1952. It has already yielded, and continues to yield, much useful medical and environmental information. A review of progress made is published in the annual reports of the Medical Service of the National Coal Board. It is very difficult to fix a term for a research programme of this nature, but I am advised that the National Coal Board hopes to complete it and issue a report on the work by about 1970. In the meantime full advantage is being taken of the lessons which are progressively being learned.