§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for industrial invalidity benefit have been disallowed in each of the last five years in Blaydon employment exchange area, on the grounds that accidents have been allied and aggravated by other physical ailments.
§ Mr. O'MalleyClaims for disablement benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act, which I assume my hon. Friend has in mind, would not be disallowed on the grounds stated. All disabilities due to an industrial accident are taken into account in assessing benefit, including the acceleration of the onset of, or the aggravation of, disability arising from a pre-existing congenital defect, injury or disease to the extent that the accident is the effective cause.