§ 28. Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware of the anxiety felt by many nurses owing to the long delay in reaching a decision to include tuberculosis and other communicable diseases generally in relation to nurses and other health workers within the prescribed industrial diseases under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act; and if she will make a statement on the subject.
§ Dr. SummerskillI have just received from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council their report on this question and I am giving it urgent attention. The matter is one of considerable detail, but I hope to make a statement shortly.
§ Mr. ToucheIs the Minister aware that the House was informed in February of last year that her predecessor was consulting this council? Is it not time that we had a decision?
§ Dr. SummerskillI assure the hon. Gentleman that I take the greatest personal interest in this matter. I have only just received the report, and I will try to expedite the statement.
§ Mr. ToucheWill the report include certain other diseases in addition to tuberculosis, such as smallpox?
§ Dr. SummerskillThis report is particularly related to tuberculosis.