§ 8. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what increase has been made in the medical staffs of the pneumoconiosis panels during 1954; and the monthly average of cases examined, both nationally and as regards the Stoke-on-Trent panel.
§ Mr. PeakeDuring 1954, six more doctors have joined the panels to serve as full-time members, and extra part-time help has been obtained. For the first half of the year the monthly average of claimants examined was 2,160 nationally, and by the Stoke-on-Trent panel 324.
§ 10. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many sufferers from pneumoconiosis who believe they may benefit from the recent scheme for the partially incapacitated, are now being examined by the medical panels; and whether he can give an approximate estimate of the length of time involved before all these claims are assessed.
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. Member's Question is a little premature as the scheme only starts to operate next week.
§ Mr. Warbeyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many certificates of suspension have been issued by pneumoconiosis medical boards in each of the years 1948 to 1953 in respect of persons working in all scheduled occupations in general, and above or underground in coalmines in particular, where the condition causing physical inadequacy is specified as chronic bronchitis or asthma causing marked incapacity.
§ Mr. MarplesI regret that there are no separate figures of suspensions because of chronic bronchitis or asthma; but the pneumoconiosis medical boards have no power to suspend anyone from the coalmining industry on these grounds and their powers to do so from other industries are strictly limited.