§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the regulations and facilities for those handling mercury in National Health Service establishments are adequate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeakinsI am satisfied that the Health and Safety Commission is aware of the potential risks to Health Service610W workers from this cause and that the Factory Inspectorate and Employment Medical Advisory Service will advise Health Service establishments on the health and safety precautions to be taken when handling mercury. The Health and Safety Executive has recently published a guidance note (EH17) on such precautions and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for industrial injury benefit from people thought to be suffering from mercury poisoning were made in each of the last three years; how many were upheld; how many cases were referred to medical appeal tribunals; and what were the results.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information requested is not available in sufficiently detailed form, but I can give the number of awards of injury or disablement benefit to persons suffering from mercury poisoning—prescribed disease number 5. The most recent years for which figures are held is 1975–76—commencing first Monday in June—and for three years the numbers of awards were as follows:
Year commencing first Monday in June No. of awards of injury or disablement benefit 1973 1 1974 1 1975 2
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of dentists and dental technicians suffering from mercury poisoning have been notified to his Department in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. DeakinsThere has been only one claim for benefit in relation to mercury poisoning under the National Health Service Injury Benefit Regulations 1974. That claim, which is still under consideration, relates to a dentist.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of mercury poisoning have been notified to his Department in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. DeakinsApart from claims made under the National Health Service Injury Benefit Regulations 1974, to which my reply today to another Question from my 611W hon. Friend refers, the information available to my Department is that relating to the number of awards of injury and disablement benefit to persons suffering from mercury poisoning—prescribed disease No. 5. The figures for the three latest years available are given in my right hon. Friend's reply today to my hon. Friend's Question. There were no such awards for the year commencing on the first Monday in June 1972, and four for the year commencing the first Monday in June 1971.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have died as a result of mercury poisoning in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MoyleIn England and Wales the numbers are as follows:
1972 1 1973 0 1974 3 1975 1 1976 2 Information for 1977 is not yet available.