§ Mr. Finchasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is now in a position to introduce the necessary legislation providing for payment of disablement benefit to those men partially disabled by pneumoconiosis who are at present deprived of such benefit because over five years have elapsed since they were last working in those occupations in the mining industry which give rise to the disease.
§ Mr. TurtonNo. As the hon. Member knows, this is a problem affecting many216W others besides ex-miners. My right hon. Friend and his predecessors have had numerous discussions about it in this House and elsewhere, but he regrets that he is not yet in a position to make a statement.