§ Mr. McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the committee advising him on pneumoconiosis and other chest diseases to report to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeanThe pneumoconiosis review undertaken by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council is continuing. This is a major inquiry and I cannot yet say when the council will be in a position to report.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up a special inquiry into chest diseases among North Wales slate quarrymen, with a view to establishing the relationship between emphysema and pneumoconiosis.
§ Mr. DeanAs the Question concerns North Wales slate quarrymen I have been in touch with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. It is not proposed to set up a special inquiry. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council is currently carrying out a major review of the provisions relating to pneumoconiosis. This includes consideration of what special provision, if any, should be made for disablement due to other respiratory conditions, which would include emphysema, found in the presence of pneumoconiosis.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now introduce legislation so that emphysema and pneumoconiosis shall be recognised as industrial diseases within the National Insurance compensation arrangements.
§ Mr. DeanPneumoconiosis is already a prescribed industrial disease for which benefit under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act is payable. Emphysema, however, is a disease extremely common among the population at large and not one which can be attributed to particular occupations. It does not therefore satisfy the conditions for prescription laid down in the Act. Nevertheless, there is a special provision under which, where a person's disablement from pneumoconiosis is assessed at 50 per cent. or more, the effects of emphysema are taken276W fully into account in determining the rate of benefit payable.