HC Deb 27 March 1968 vol 761 cc290-1W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated number of deaths per annum from bronchial and respiratory diseases; and to what extent are these attributable to air pollution caused by the burning of pulverised or raw coal.

Mr. K. Robinson

The average annual numbers of deaths in England and Wales for the years 1962–66 are in the table below. Atmospheric pollution is often a contributory factor in deaths from respiratory disease, especially bronchitis, but it is impossible to say in what proportion of those deaths air pollution from burning pulverised or raw coal is a factor.

Tuberculosis of respiratory system 2,338
Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung 25,401
Other malignant neoplasm of respiratory system 1,087
Benign neoplasm of respiratory system 32
Influenza 2,410
Pneumonia (including pneumonia of newborn) 33,227
Bronchitis 31,759
Other diseases of respiratory system 5,283
101,537