HC Deb 06 February 1967 vol 740 cc1098-9
31. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will refer to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council the question of adding Raynaud's phenomenon to the schedule of prescribed industrial diseases.

Miss Herbison

At my request, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recently completed an informal review of current developments in knowledge of Raynaud's phenomenon. As a result of their findings, on 13th January I referred to them for consideration and advice the question of prescribing vibration syndrome. This is a wider condition embracing Raynaud's phenomenon and other diseases of bones, joints, blood vessels or nerves caused by vibrating machines.

Mr. Dalyell

Does my right hon. Friend recollect the case of my constituent, Mr. Charles Shaw, of Bathgate, about whom I went to see her and her predecessors, who suffers from Raynaud's disease, and would she accept that this is a matter which is of great concern to a very few individuals and that favourable treatment would be highly regarded by a very few unfortunate people?

Miss Herbison

It was because of that case, and, of course, a number of other cases, that in the first instance I asked the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to look at it, and we widened the field considerably because there are, I understand, many more who suffer from the vibration syndrome.