§ 23. Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in England and Wales suffer from industrial deafness ; and if he will now include this condition as a prescribed industrial disease.
§ Mr. EnnalsI regret that the information requested in the first part of the Question is not available.
On the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks) on 22nd October.—[Vol. 788, c. 270-1.]
§ Mr. OakesIs my hon. Friend aware that there are many thousands of people in their fifties and sixties suffering from a disease which has clearly arisen from the course of their employment? Will he ask the advisory committee to reach a decision in a matter of months, not in a matter of seven years?
§ Mr. EnnalsIt was because we were aware of the problem to which my hon. Friend refers that the report was not only requested but rapidly referred to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, which is now studying it. The council will be aware of the urgency of the problem, but it must take evidence. However, I am certain that it will note the point made by my hon. Friend.