§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what conditions regarding the presence of asbestos bodies are required for the diagnosis by special medical boards of asbestos disease.
§ Mr. NewtonThe diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases by special medical boards is not conditional on the presence of asbestos bodies. These bodies indicate past exposure to asbestos dust but are not proof of the presence of disease due to the inhalation of asbestos. However, the boards take this into account along with other medical evidence and the claimant's occupational history.