Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Asbestos – 19 December 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Asbestos on 19th December 1986.

Mr. Tom Cox Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what records are kept as to the number of people working in power stations in the United Kingdom who have come into contact with asbestos and are now suffering from (a) asbestosis or (b) bilateral diffuse pleural thickening; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major Records are not kept in this form. The Department records awards of disablement benefit to people suffering from pneumoconiosis (which includes asbestosis) and bilateral diffuse pleural thickening as a result of occupational exposure to asbestos.

However, the number of such awards to people working in power stations is not separately identified.

Since December 1985 the number of people seen by special medical boards in connection with claim, for asbestosis and bilateral diffuse pleural thickening who have worked in power stations or have been otherwise employed by the Central Electricity Generating Board has been recorded.