§ 67. Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will use his powers under Section 73 of the Industrial Injuries Act to promote research into occupational deafness.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterYes. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, which is studying occupational deafness from the standpoint of possible prescription under the Industrial Injuries Act, has asked me to initiate research to help it in its further consideration of this matter. The Government have now decided to use their powers under Section 73 of the Industrial Injuries Act to finance a major scheme of research. The work has been planned by and will be56W carried out jointly by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Medical Research Council. The project is primarily aimed at obtaining reliable information about the effects of industrial noise on hearing, with special reference to those physical features of noise responsible for damage to hearing, but it is also designed to study preventive measures in industry, which are the concern of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.