§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to provide injury benefit to self-employed farmers who paid class 2 national insurance contributions and who are now suffering from organophosphorous poisoning as a result of the compulsory use of organophosphorous dips. [20259]
§ Mr. HagueInjury benefit was abolished in 1983. Disablement benefit may be payable under the industrial injuries scheme to employed earners who suffer organophosphorous poisoning as a result of their work. We have no plans to extend the industrial injuries scheme to the self-employed in agriculture. However, incapacity benefit is available to self-employed farmers who satisfy the relevant incapacity and contribution conditions.