HC Deb 30 January 1956 vol 548 c67W
62. Sir I. Horobin

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what progress the Industrial Injuries Advisory Committee have made with their review of the provisions for byssinosis.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council submitted its Report on 20th December, 1955, and it is today published as a White Paper. The Council recommended two important relaxations of the conditions for payment of Industrial Injuries benefit for byssinosis: firstly, that the qualifying period of employment in the presecribed processes should be ten years instead of twenty; and secondly, that it should no longer be a condition for benefit that the disablement is assessed at 50 per cent. or more. I have decided to accept these two recommendations, and I propose to make the necessary Regulations to come into operation on 8th February.

Mr. John Hill

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when the Report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on byssinosis will be received; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question earlier today by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East (Sir I. Horobin).