HC Deb 29 July 1960 vol 627 cc227-8W
Mr. Warbey

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what steps he is taking to increase the size of the Sheffield Pneumoconiosis Panel so that the Pneumoconiosis Medical Board can deal more expeditiously with claimants of industrial disablement benefit.

Mr. Vane

I recognise that this Panel has been working under difficulties with an increasing load of work. Two more full-time doctors are being added to it, one of whom has already taken up duty. The hon. Member may also like to know that new and larger premises are being built for this Panel which should be ready for occupation by the end of the year. Meanwhile additional boarding rooms have been made available.

Mr. Warbey

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, in order to provide a more convenient and rapid means of dealing with claims for industrial disablement benefit on grounds of pneumoconiosis in the East Midlands region, he will constitute a pneumoconiosis medical board in Nottingham.

Mr. Vane

The present number of claimants from the East Midlands area is not large enough to justify the establishment of a separate medical board at Nottingham. Arrangements already exist for claimants who are unfit to travel to the Sheffield Panel to he examined in their own homes.