HC Deb 10 June 1975 vol 893 cc228-9
10. Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mineworkers are drawing social security benefits in respect of pneumoconiosis, emphysema and bronchitis, respectively.

Mr. O'Malley

The latest estimate is that about 38,000 people are receiving benefit for pneumoconiosis attributed to mining. Comparable figures are not available for emphysema or bronchitis.

Mr. Golding

Is it not important that the Minister should obtain the figures for emphysema and bronchitis, because with the pneumoconiosis figures they would indicate the true cost of getting coal? Is it not time that he took steps to prescribe emphysema and bronchitis as industrial diseases, not only for mine workers but also for pottery workers, foundrymen and slate workers?

Mr. O'Malley

I understand that some studies indicate that miners suffer more from bronchitis and emphysema than does the population as a whole. However, many factors other than occupation are involved. For example, testimony of the link with occupation is not significant enough to satisfy the prescription conditions.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great and continuing dissatisfaction among slate-quarrying communities about the use of radiographic evidence in assessment for benefit? Will he institute an inquiry into this matter? I am aware that there was an inquiry in 1973, but there is now need for a new inquiry into the way assessment is made for benefit.

Mr. O'Malley

Part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question hardly arises out of this Question. As I come from a coal mining area, I fully understand and appreciate the strong views which are held in mining areas on the subject raised in the Question. The difficulty is that before one can prescribe a disease as an industrial disease attracting benefit under the Industrial Injuries Scheme, one has to have significant evidence of a direct link between the occupation and the disease. Unsatisfactory though it may be in mining areas, the situation is that at this time the evidence does not provide precisely the link that is required before prescription can be made.

Mr. Woodall

Does my right hon. Friend accept that many Government supporters with long connections with the mining industry have long been concerned about the high incidence of emphysema and bronchitis? Will he press his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to authorise an investigation into the connection between these two diseases and mining with a view to listing the two diseases?

Mr. O'Malley

I know that there is strong feeling on this matter among Government supporters, of which I am one, and my hon. Friend is right in saying that there is need for detailed studies. Studies on bronchitis and emphysema have been and are being conducted in the mining industry, and my Department's advisers are keeping a close watch on all those studies.