§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he proposes 76W to take following the Report of the Committee on the problem of pneumoconiosis in the South Wales coalfield.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Committee's recommendations with regard to the establishment and equipment of a Treatment and Rehabilitation Research Centre require discussion with other Departments than my own. These discussions are already proceeding. Concurrently I am examining, and propose to put into effect as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, other recommendations which can be implemented by strengthening existing machinery. These, I hope, will include the initial radiographic examination of all new entrants into the industry in South Wales;theperiodicalexaminations of selected groups of miners in relation to concurrent assessments of the dust conditions of their employment; and, in association with the Minister of Labour, an investigation into the present and progressive medical condition of miners who because of the disease have left the industry and have taken up other employment, the object being to provide guidance as to what other occupations are best for such cases. The machinery of my Department is to be strengthened for this work by appointing a second Mines Medical Officer in South Wales and by adding to the Testing Station a new section of staff to concentrate on the work of dust assessments. I am doing everything possible to deal with this problem within the limits imposed by war-time conditions. It is my intention to pursue the subject vigorously and to spare no effort in tackling the problems created by this disease.