§ 28. Mr. MORLEYasked the Home Secretary what progress has been made towards scheduling fibrosis of the lungs as a disease ranking for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs my hon. Friend is aware, the effects on the lungs of various dusts, including coal dust, are being 1430 investigated by an expert committee of the Medical Research Council. This committee is pursuing various lines of research, but the problems are exceedingly complicated, and I regret that-as I am advised-a considerable period must elapse before any definite conclusions can be reached.
§ Mr. MORLEYSeeing that this committee was set up 12 months ago, could not the right hon. Gentleman intimate to them that the acceleration of their findings would not be altogether unpleasant?
§ Mr. CLYNESIn these highly technical and medical matters, in which so much has to be weighed and considered, it is inevitable that much time should be taken up, but there is no delay which can be avoided.