§ 4. Mr. TINKERasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the miners are protesting against the description in the recent Order issued by him dealing with industrial diseases under the Workmen's Compensation Act, which contains the definition subcutaneous cellulitis or acute bursitis arising at or about the knee (beat knee), subcutaneous cellulitis or acute bursitis over the elbow (beat elbow), as they are of opinion that the word acute should be struck out; and will he give further consideration to this question?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSBefore issuing this Order I considered a request from the miners to omit the word "acute." This request, however, was not supported by any evidence, and as the Report published by the Medical Research Council showed that bursitis is not a disabling condition except when there is acute inflammation, I was unable to adopt the suggestion. I have received no further representations, and see no grounds at present for reconsideration.
§ Mr. TINKERArising out of the unsatisfactory answer—I realise it is difficult to discuss this matter by Question and Answer—I want to warn the right hon. Gentleman that I will raise the question on the Estimates, and I should like him to let me have the information upon which he has based this particular Order.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as far as this disease to the elbow and the knee is concerned, there are certain classes of work performed in the mines when, while it may not appear that the man is suffering very acute pain, the mere "touch" is torture?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI agree that the word "acute" is in and that, if the disease is acute, then there is pain to the touch and so forth, but, when there is no acuteness, my information is that it is not painful.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it sometimes happens that when a man is actually hurt and is in action, he may be suffering very great pain, though it may appear not to be acute when he is in the surgery undergoing examination?
§ Mr. TINKERMay I press upon the right hon. Gentleman to let me have the information we have asked for?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe right hon. Gentleman says he is going to raise it on the Estimates, and as soon as my Estimates are put down, I will, of course, get all information and be prepared to give it.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCannot the right hon. Gentleman supply the hon. Member who has put down the question with a copy of the statement of the Medical Research Council on which he has based his Order?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat rather looks like supplying him with ammunition with which to shoot at me