§ Mr. Richard Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of asbestosis were reported in the years 1963 to 1969, inclusive, and in 1970 to 1976, inclusive.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information available relates to the diagnosis of asbestosis by pneumoconiosis medical boards in connection with claims for industrial disablement benefit.
The cases diagnosed in each year since 1963 were:
1963 … 63 1970 … 145 1964 … 81 1971 … 134 1965 … 79 1972 … 120 1966 … 101 1973 … 133 1967 … 161 1974 … 135 1968 … 124 1975 … 150 1969 … 130 1976 … 178 739 995 It is probable that some cases of mesothelioma were recorded as asbestosis—where this had been the disease claimed—in order to prevent undue distress to the claimants. To this extent these figures overstate the true position.