§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how long a claimant for disablement benefit in respect of occupational deafness must have worked; if additional hours worked in overtime may be included in this requirement; and what proposals she has to change the current criteria. [48938]
§ Mr. DenhamTo qualify for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) for Occupational Deafness (prescribed disease A10), a person must have been employed in one or more of the occupations prescribed, for at least ten years. An independent Adjudication Officer decides whether a claimant has met the ten year82W rule, taking into account the job history of the individual claimant. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, which advise on the Industrial Injuries scheme, are currently undertaking a review of the list of prescribed diseases, including occupational deafness. We shall of course consider any recommendations which they make.