HC Deb 20 June 1950 vol 476 cc1036-7
5 and 7. Dr. Barnett Stross

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) by what means a workman, insured under the Industrial Injuries Act, who is unable to appeal against a provisional assessment within two years of its being made, can obtain information as to the reasons for the findings of the medical board;

(2) whether she is aware that in some cases of industrial injury, medical boards make a provisional assessment coupled with an estimation of loss of faculty, terms offset, or not due to the injury itself; and whether she will give instructions that in every such case a full diagnosis be given to the injured workman or his trade union representative.

Dr. Summerskill

Under the regulations claimants for disablement benefit receive written summaries of the Medical Boards' findings. Subject to a few exceptions made on medical advice in the claimant's own interest, these summaries should include the diagnosis of abnormal conditions, whether or not they were caused or made worse by the accident. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind perhaps he will bring it to my attention.

Dr. Stross

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that very helpful answer, is she aware that there are cases that exist where these provisional assessments are made, and during the two years information is refused to the injured workman or to his trade union advisers?

Dr. Summerskill

No, but I think that I can undertake, if my hon. Friend has any case in mind, for the summaries which are given in the initial stage to be amplified, so that no information is withheld from any man who is anxious to have it.

6. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that a workman injured at work is unable to appeal against an assessment of his loss of faculty except on the question whether the loss of faculty is likely to be permanent or not; that the insurance officer has a right to appeal, although the workman has not; and what alteration in the regulations is contemplated in order to remedy this disparity.

Dr. Summerskill

My hon. Friend no doubt has in mind rights of appeal against provisional assessments. These are limited by the Statute, but I am watching the working of the relevant provision with special care.