§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what plans she has to ensure that those who die from pneumoconiosis or other causes shall be given the benefit of any doubt so that their relatives shall receive insurance benefit.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesI assume that my hon. Friend refers to industrial death benefit. It is a fundamental condition for the award of death benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act that death resulted from the relevant injury or disease. Decisions on claims are made by independent statutory authorities who determine them on the balance of probabilities, in accordance with the guidance given by the Commissioner, who is the88W final appellate authority on these questions. My right hon. Friend has no plans for any changes in the provisions of the Act, but if my hon. Friend has any individual case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.