§ 102. Mr. R. Williamsasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he can now say what steps he proposes to take regarding the Report of the Departmental Committee on Industrial Diseases.
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§ Mr. J. GriffithsYes. I have now considered the Report of the Departmental Committee further in the light of the advice I have received from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on certain questions I referred to them. I do not think any immediate alterations in the regulations are called for, but in my administration of Part IV of the Act which deals with the extension of insurance to diseases I shall be guided by the principles laid down in the Report.
As regards the Committee's proposal that a special committee should be set up to deal with the various matters set out in paragraph 37 of the Report, the Council point out that in view of their Statutory functions, they are the appropriate body to advise me on these matters. I accept this view and am accordingly arranging that any necessary examination of such questions should be undertaken by a sub-committee of the Council which would have power to call for such expert assistance as they might require.