§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce legislation to provide compensation for those people suffering loss of hearing from industrial processes, including the textile industry, and remove the limit of less than five years ago that the damage was inflicted; and if he will make a statement.
378W
§ Mr. ScottFrom October 1974, occupational deafness was prescribed as an industrial disease in respect of a number of occupations. In 1979 the regulations were amended to include cover for processes in textile manufacturing and other occupations, and they were further extended in 1983.
We are currently evaluating the feasibility of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's recent recommendations on the administration and operation of provision for occupational deafness—Cm 1245. A response will be made shortly.
A time limit on claiming for industrial deafness has existed ever since the condition was first prescribed. There are no plans to change the five-year limit.