HC Deb 30 May 1960 vol 624 cc987-8
30. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many claims were made in the past accountable year by men and women, respectively, for dermatitis following irritation by irritating dusts or liquids; how many were successful in their claims; and how many, after receiving industrial injury payment or pension, were later judged to be suffering from dermatitis due to constitutional causes.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In the year ended 30th June, 1958, the latest date for which figures are at present available, there were 16,200 spells of incapacity due to dermatitis for which injury benefit was paid under the Industrial Injuries Act. Of these, 13,100 related to men and 3,100 to women. In this total of 16,200 spells are included 2,500 spells—2,300 for men and 200 for women—which were recrudescences of earlier attacks. No figures are available of the number of claims for benefit for dematitis, and I have no information about the number of beneficiaries subsequently found to be suffering from dermatitis due to constitutional causes.

Dr. Stross

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those in the last category he mentioned—those who, by some magical process, it seems, change from an industrial dermatitis to one of constitutional origin—seem to be a substantial number, and that this causes very great confusion and dismay in the minds of the workers who are involved in this way? Would he prefer me to write to him to tell him how difficult the matter is, or would he rather I spoke of it on the Adjournment?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am in the hon. Gentleman's hands in this matter. I appreciate that where one has a disease such as this, which can be industrial and can be constitutional in origin, one sometimes gets very difficult marginal cases, and people who find themselves on the wrong side of the line are, not unnaturally, dissatisfied. But I should be very happy to hear the hon. Gentleman's views by whatever method he likes to adopt.

Dr. Stross

Then I beg to give notice that I shall try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.