§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have claimed the new byssinosis benefit 125W in Oldham and each of the other main Lancashire towns; and how many are thought to be entitled.
§ Mr. MayhewOne thousand, five hundred and eight applications have so far been received under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 from sufferers from byssinosis and dependants of deceased sufferers. The great majority of these applicants live within a few miles of Oldham or Rochdale, but the exact number from individual towns are not available. Payments have so far been made to 72 applicants, and 50 applicants have been rejected because at least one of the entitlement conditions is not satisfied. The remaining applications are still being considered. Many of these cases rest on whether the relevant employers have ceased to carry on business, which is often difficult to establish. However, it seems likely that when the difficulties have been resolved the majority of these applicants will be entitled to a payment.