§ 41. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent X-ray examinations are normally required by medical boards in connection with the assessment or reassessment of disabilities under the Industrial Injuries Act.
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)The general practice of medical boards which assess disablement under the Industrial Injuries Act is to make the maximum use of radiographs already available under the National Health Service, but exceptionally they have to be obtained specially. Separate considerations apply, however, to occupational chest diseases where there are X-ray examinations both on initial claims to benefit and on reassessments.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is some anxiety in medical quarters about what is regarded as the rather excessive requirement for X-ray, and would he look into the matter in view of the possible danger that there may be?
Mr. VaneThe hon. Gentleman can be assured that we are in close touch with the Medical Research Council and try to follow its recommendations, and we have issued a circular to our own medical boards on the lines of his suggestion.