§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of fatalities in coal mines in the Northumberland, North Durham and South Durham areas of the National Coal Board for each of the years since 1970–71; and what were the numbers for the whole of Great Britain for the same period.
§ Mr. EmeryThe National Coal Board has supplied the following figures:
recent research by the Institute of Occupational Medicine suggests that if it is met, clinically, significant respiratory disability resulting from dust exposure over a working life may be avoided. At the end of February 1973, 90.2 per cent. of production faces at National Coal Board mines were meeting the standard.
The National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee also considered proposals for regulations based mainly on the work which led to the introduction of the interim gravimetric standard and which, if adopted, will effectively replace it. The committee made a number of suggestions which are being studied in depth.