HC Deb 19 February 1924 vol 169 cc1517-8
6. Sir CHARLES CAYZER

asked the Secretary of State for War how many X-ray operators were working, directly or indirectly, under his Department during the War; how many of them contracted forms of dermatitis and similar complaints as a result of their work; what has been the policy of his Department in regard to these cases in general and to each individual case; and whether it accepts any responsibility for their condition?

Mr. WALSH

I regret that the figures asked for are not available. As regards the latter part of the question, in the case of soldiers the general policy has been to treat disease resulting from the working of X-ray apparatus as a disability attributable to service, but in the case of civilians, the Department's powers are subject to the statutory restriction that the disease of X-ray dermitatis is not one of the industrial diseases scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act as entitling to compensation. I am looking sympathetically into this question, and I have already under consideration a particular case which the hon. Member has brought to my notice.

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