§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will institute research into the incidence of leukaemia patients who have been recorded as dying from other causes in the years 1979 to 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeNot at present. I am advised that it is technically feasible to link data already collected on leukaemia registrations and subsequent causes of death, and consideration would be given to sponsoring such research if a worthwhile proposal was made.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether Government statistics concerning deaths from leukaemia are compiled solely from cause of death as stated on death certificates.
§ Mr. WhitneyNo, not solely. Mortality statistics for deaths from leukaemia are compiled from the underlying cause of death as stated on the medical certificate of cause of death (or the coroner's certificate) and from any subsequent information received from the medical practitioner concerned.