§ 3. Mr. Leatherasked the Minister of National Insurance why it is not possible for her Department to give an estimate of the cost which would be involved by eliminating the five-year qualification relating to compensation to pneumoconiosis sufferers.
§ Dr. SummerskillI have no means of knowing the number of such claims to workmen's compensation which failed on the five-year limit, or of estimating the number which would arise if the limit were removed.
§ Mr. LeatherWould the right hon. Lady consider asking the National Union of Mineworkers, because I am quite certain that their branch secretaries would be only too happy to provide her with the figures?
§ Dr. SummerskillIn any question which relates to workers' conditions, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we do consult representatives of the workers.