§ 40. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Health what representations his department has received about the method used to diagnose pneumoconiosis and other chest diseases associated with industrial dust; what changes he will make; and it he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LoughlinNone, Sir. The method of diagnosis of chest diseases under the National Health Service is a matter for the judgment of the responsible clinician.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs my hon. Friend aware that hundreds of thousands of industrial workers are suffering with chest diseases, many of which, upon post mortems being conducted, prove the doctors to be wrong; and will he treat this matter more seriously?
§ Mr. LoughlinI assure my hon. Friend that I treat the matter very seriously indeed. However, the responsibility for diagnosing chest complaints, and particularly pneumoconiosis—which, I think, my hon. Friend has particularly in mind—for the purposes of industrial injuries benefit and pension, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.
§ Mr. ManuelWould not my hon. Friend agree that the time is long overdue for this question to be thoroughly examined again? Is he aware that all of us, certainly hon. Members who represent industrial constituencies, have cases on our books where no satisfaction has been given, although evidence of dust was there? Would he not agree that a wider sphere, so to speak, should be covered in this connection?
§ Mr. LoughlinThis is a question of clinical opinion. I assure my hon. Friend that I am not unaware of it, and he will appreciate that I mean that because I represent one of the oldest mining areas in the country.