§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will now make a statement on the progress being made by his Industrial Diseases Sub-Committee of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on the question of pneumoconiosis review;
(2) whether he is now prepared to seek adjustment in the terms of definition in Section 58(3) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965.
§ Mr. DeanThe pneumoconiosis review is a major inquiry. While I understand that the sub-committee has nearly finished taking oral evidence, it is not possible to forecast when the council will be in a position to report. The question of changing the definition of pneumoconiosis will be considered when the council's report is received.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the Industrial Diseases Sub-Committee is taking evidence on the question of bronchitis and emphysema and their alliance 461W with pneumoconiosis with a view to establishing new compensation rates for persons suffering from a combination of two or more of these respiratory industrial diseases.
§ Mr. DeanThe terms of reference for the pneumoconiosis review included the question whether any and, if so, what special provision should be made for disablement due to other respiratory conditions found in the presence of pneumoconiosis to be taken into account in assessing the extent of disablement due to the disease. Interested persons and organisations were invited by the sub-committee to submit evidence on this as on all the matters under review, which were given wide publicity.