HC Deb 09 March 1972 vol 832 c400W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will require that cases where advanced pneumoconiosis has been registered should qualify for death benefit automatically without a post mortem, unless death was obviously due to some unconnected cause.

Mr. Dean

Death benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act is payable only where death can be attributed to an industrial accident or prescribed industrial disease. We do not contemplate any change in this position. As regards post mortem examinations, in England and Wales the death of any person who in life had been in receipt of industrial injuiries benefit for pneumoconiosis is almost invariably reported to a coroner and the decision whether or not to order a post mortem examination is entirely a matter for his discretion.