asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many cases of pneumoconiosis have appeared before the board each year since 1950 in Durham, Northumberland and Cumberland; how many, each year, were rejected; and how many, each year, were determined as suffering from this disease.

The precise figures asked for by the right hon. Member are not available. The Pneumoconiosis Medical Panel at Newcastle covers a rather wider area, but it was only established in November, 1951. The following table gives the cases dealt with by the Newcastle Pneumoconiosis Medical Panel.