§ Mr. Mackintoshasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what repre- 360W sentations he has received recently on the need to prescribe brucellosis as an industrial disease; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Ennals:My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has received representations on this matter from both the British Medical Association and the Trades Union Congress. He has referred to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council the question whether, having regard to Section 56(2) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965 and to the cover already provided by the Act against accidental contraction of the disease, brucellosis should be prescribed under the Act; and, if prescription is appropriate, to what specific occupations it should apply, and whether a presump-could be given that brucellosis in workers within those occupations was due to the occupation.