§ 42. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Home Secretary what progress has been made in the investigations into the problem of silicosis amongst the slate miners in the Festiniog district of North Wales; and whether it is his intention to make an order bringing these workmen within the scope of the silicosis schemes?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Secretary of the Joint Industrial Council on the question of extending the present silicosis compensation scheme to cover all underground employment in slate mines. He is not yet in a position to reach a final decison, but the hon. Member may rest assured that the subject is being pursued.
§ Mr. GriffithsWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that his answer referring only to occupations underground will create anomalies and hardships, that there are men engaged in surface quarrying who are affected by silicosis, and that it will be a tragedy for such men if they are not included? Will he bear that in mind before making the order?
§ Mr. PeakeI will certainly bear it in mind, but I cannot promise to do anything on the lines which the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs the hon. Member aware that those concerned have made strong representations that to leave quarrymen outside the scheduled persons will give rise to very serious anomalies?
§ Mr. PeakeI am aware of the representations, but the investigations which we have made do not show that surface workers are affected by silicosis in the same way as underground workers.
§ Mr. GriffithsDo I gather than the hon. Gentleman's Department have no evidence of any cases of silicosis in men engaged in these quarries?