44. Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on the inclusion of industrial deafness as a prescribed disease.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is not yet possible to say when the council will be in a position to report.
Mr. ArcherI appreciate that this must take time, but is my hon. Friend aware that a great deal of hardship is entailed in the present position, and that the longer the decision takes the greater the hardship will be?
§ Mr. EnnalsThis is a very important question—and that is one reason why it has to be gone into in great detail and with great care by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. I shall certainly convey to that Council the concern that my hon. Friend has expressed.