§ 68. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will merge the National Insurance appeal procedures for accident and prescribed disease cases.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Industrial Injuries Act provides that appeals arising on questions of law or fact, other than questions on medical issues, shall be determined by independent lay statutory authorities. Appeals involving medical issues, such as whether a person is suffering from one of the prescribed industrial diseases or the assessment of the extent of disablement resulting from an accepted industrial accident or prescribed disease, are for determination by independent medical statutory authorities. I can see no useful purpose in merging these appeal procedures, which I am satisfied are in the best interests of claimants for benefit under the industrial injuries scheme.