HC Deb 27 June 1960 vol 625 cc944-5
10. Mr. B. Taylor

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state for 12 months, to the nearest convenient date, the number of cases reported to the Mansfield local office as incapacitated by the disease known as Dupuytren's contracture.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)

In general, our local office records do not enable details to be given of claims for benefit at individual offices in respect of incapacity from specified diseases, but it is within the recollection of the Mansfield office that there has been one claim for sickness benefit for Dupuytren's contracture in recent months.

Mr. Taylor

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is evidence of a growth in the number of sufferers from this disease? Will he consider prescribing it and adding it to the schedule of industrial diseases?

Mr. Vane

I was not aware that the number of sufferers from this unusual disability is growing in number. It was considered by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council not so long ago, but the Council did not feel able to make a definite recommendation. If the hon. Gentleman has more evidence, will he let us have it? As he will know from his own service in the Department, it will be considered with sympathy and care.

Dr. Stross

Has the Parliamentary Secretary noted that in occupations where there is considerable gripping, such as the wooden handle of a pick, or where there is excessive stretching, such as with dippers in the pottery industry who have to stretch out their palms very widely, this condition is fairly frequent? If that should be the case, does not that support what my hon. Friend asks for?

Mr. Vane

May I also ask the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) to let us have the evidence? I do not believe that all medical opinion would support the view that the origin of this disease is other than constitutional.

Mr. Taylor

I believe it is more than two years now since the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council examined the question and I am certain there is evidence that the number of sufferers from the disease is growing. Will the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider what he has said and allow the Council to look at it again?

Forward to