§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many cases of byssinosis were recorded per 100,000 textile workers in each of the past three years;
(2) how many cases of byssinosis were recorded per 100,000 population not employed in the textile industry in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information available relates to the diagnosis of byssinosis in connection with claims under the industrial injuries scheme. The only employees 625W eligible for benefit under the scheme in respect of the disease are textile workers who have been engaged for not less than five years in certain processes within the textile industry. The number of new cases recorded per 100,000 textile workers was 32 in 1975, 21 in 1976 and 18 in 1977.
§ Mr. Hall-Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many war widows' pensions were withdrawn in 1977 on the grounds of cohabitation, where the widow was aged over 60 years and the man in respect of whom the cohabitation decision was made was aged 74 years or over.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisOne.
§ Mr. Hall-Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to stop the withdrawal of war widows' pensions on grounds of cohabitation, in cases where the man and woman involved are, respectively, aged 65 and 60 years or over.
As at 31st March 1978 Basildon and Thurrock Chelmsford Colchester Harlow Southend Totals Urgent cases 630 166 147 32 334 1,309 Urgent cases on list for more than one month 518 119 34 19 145 835
§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases now awaiting admission to hospitals in the North-East Thames Region and in the Essex area; how long they have been waiting; and if he will give the corresponding figures for February and June 1974.
§ Mr. MoyleInformation is not available in the form requested. The total number of cases awaiting admission to hospitals in the North East Thames region at 31st March 1978 was as follows:—
Urgent cases Urgent cases waiting more than one month Non urgent cases Non urgent cases waiting more than one year Total 3,078 1,876 42,614 8,828 45,692 Figures for the Essex area at 31st March 1978 are as follows:—
626W
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisIf a war widow either remarries or lives with a man as his wife, her war widow's pension is withdrawn, regardless of age. There are no plans to change this rule.