§ Mr. Abseasked the Minister of Power whether he is aware that the gravest risk of mining, the regular inhalation of certain types of dust, is not the subject of legal liability, and that foundry workers suffering through excessive inhalation of dust may in certain circumstances recover damages; and whether, in order to give miners parity with foundry workers, he will introduce legislation to ensure that when any miner who has worked below ground for three years or more immediately preceding a claim and is found to be suffering from pneumoconiosis claims damages, his claim should be acceded to subject only to assessment of quantum of damages.
§ Mr. John MorrisI do not accept the implications in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question.
My right hon. Friend has no evidence that miners are at any disadvantage in comparison with foundry workers in relation to claims made in respect of diseases prescribed under the National Insurance Industrial Injuries Act, and he does not think that any further legislation is necessary.