§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of appeals initiated by his Department against medical board decisions that miners were suffering from prescribed disease No. 17, nitrous fumes; how many of these appeals have been successful; what was the average length of time taken on appeal on physical examination; and how many of these have been in North Staffordshire.
§ Mr. DeanThe only figures available relate to all prescribed diseases other than pneumoconiosis and byssinosis and to the country as a whole. These show that in 1971 there were 185 references to medical appeal tribunals because the medical board's acceptance or rejection or diagnosis of the disease was considered doubtful. The medical board's decision was reversed in 79 cases.