§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths were reported to Her Majesty's coroners in England and Wales as being suspected to be linked with pneumoconiosis in each year since 1948; in how many cases (a) inquests, and (b) post mortem examinations were held; and in how many cases the cause of death was certified as pneumoconiosis or a related industrial disease.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that the information requested in the first part of the Question is not available and information about the number of inquests and post mortem examinations in which the cause of death was given as pneumoconiosis or a related industrial disease could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of time and expense; but I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that the number of deaths in England and Wales assigned to pneumoconiosis and related diseases in each year since 1948 is as follows:
1948 438 1949 542 1950 585 1951 608 1952 566 1953 590 1954 665 1955 744 1956 698 1957 786 1958 753 1959 678 1960 681 1961 739 1962 711 1963 673 1964 676 1965 619 1966 625 1967 574 1968 566 1969 582 1970 580 1971 496 1972 493 1973 479 1974 402
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the relationship between Her Majesty's coroners in England and 519W Wales and the Pneumoconiosis Medical Panel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe coroner, who is an independent judicial officer for whose acts my right mon. Friend has no responsibility, and the Pneumoconiosis Medical Panel each have their own functions to perform.