§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to state when the Order extending the period of certification under the Various Industries (Silicosis) Schemes will be issued; whether he can state the provisions contained in the Order, and whether it will be made retrospective?
§ Mr. PeakeThe amending Scheme was made on the 12th June and I understand that copies are now available at the Vote Office. The Scheme extends the limit in the proviso to paragraph 4 of the principal Scheme from three years to five. My right hon. Friend was advised that he had no power to make it retrospective. He2458W has, however, suggested, through the Mining Association, that the colliery owners might undertake to deal with claims where the workman has been employed in the mines within the three years preceding the date of the amending Scheme, as if the limit in their case were five years and not three. I understand that this suggestion is under consideration.
§ Mr. G. Macdonaldasked the Home Secretary whether the number of miners disabled by silicosis is on the increase in Lancashire and Cheshire; and what action is being taken to lessen the toll of this disease?
§ Mr. LloydI have been asked to reply. No cases have been certified among miners in Cheshire. As regards Lancashire, in the 7½ years between the 1st June, 1931, and the 31st December, 1938, the Medical Board granted 29 certificates for coal miners and three for sandstone miners. The average number of cases is about four per year and somewhat higher over the later years but fluctuations in such small figures make it difficult to say whether the incidence of the disease is increasing, bearing in mind that it usually takes a period of years to develop. The measures to suppress or collect dangerous dust are taken wherever necessary.