Electron Microscopes

HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc537-8W

Mr. Skinner

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the accuracy of electron microscopes employed for purposes of assessing the presence of asbestos fibres in lung tissue; and if he will make a statement. [70185]

Mr. Bayley

This Department does not use electron microscopes for assessing the presence of asbestos fibres these may have been aggregated with another prescribed disease, but would not in themselves have attracted a benefit award. It is not known how many of these people may still be employed in the mining industry.

¹ Figure based on a 10 per cent. sample of IIDB assessments in GB, which includes an adjustment for late statistical returns.

² Figures from 100 per cent. data on new diagnosis.

source:

DSS (Analytical Services Division)