§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Report will be published which deals with pneumoconiosis and certain questions relating to byssinosis; and if he is ready to make a statement on its findings.
§ Sir K. JosephPublication of the council's report is expected in the autumn. The council's findings are being studied and it would be inappropriate for any statement to be made at this stage.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what other industrial disease studies the Industrial 358W allowances; how many such persons were in receipt of more than one of these benefits; and what percentage of all known disabled and chronic sick persons was represented by the net recipients of these benefits taking for this purpose the definition of handicapped and impaired used in categories 1 to 6 in paragraph 3.3.3 of Amelia Harris's report "Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain."
§ Mr. DeanThe information requested in the first part of the Question is as follows:
Injuries Advisory Council is undertaking; and whether he is considering referring the examination of emphysema as an industrial disease to his advisory council.
§ Sir K. JosephIn addition to the pneumoconiosis review, the council has just completed an investigation of occupational deafness and has currently under consideration questions whether the vibration syndrome, and lung cancer in chromates workers, should be prescribed under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1965. Reference of the question of emphysema to the council is not under consideration since there is no evidence that this disease could satisfy the conditions for prescription laid down by Section 56 (2) of the Act.