Vibration White Finger

HC Deb 10 March 1998 vol 308 cc182-3W

Mr. Eric Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications have been made for medical examinations relating to Vibration White Finger; and how many applications for industrial injuries disablement benefit have been(a) approved and (b) refused following medical examinations. [31728]

Mr. Denham

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

The number of claims made to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) due to Vibration White Finger from 1 April 1995 to 31 December 1997 is 35,900¹.

The number of Vibration White Finger assessments following medical examination where the disease has been diagnosed, but at less than the level of disability which would attract a payment of benefit (below 14 per cent. disabled), in the same period, is 7,714². The number assessed at 14 per cent. or over is 1,2462². There will be a relatively small, but unknown number of assessments made at less than 14 per cent. disabled, that will have resulted in a payment of IIDB, when aggregated with another disease.

¹Figure based on a 10 per cent. sample of all claims to IIDB in Great Britain.²Figures based on a 100 per cent. count of initial IIDB assessments in Great Britain.Source: Analytical Services Division.