§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the main findings of the recent investigation into the Respiratory Health of the Adult Male Population of the Quarrying Areas of Gwynedd, what steps he is taking to encourage slate quarry workers to apply to the pneumoconiosis panel where appropriate.
§ Mr. OrmeOnly preliminary details of the findings of the investigation to which the hon. Member refers have as yet been published. However, as a result of cooperation between the research team which carried out the investigation and the pneumoconiosis medical panel, those covered by the inquiry who were considered to be suffering from pneumoconiosis, 69 in all, have been advised to claim benefit. As a result, there have so far been 28 claims, of which 27 have been successful, from slate quarry workers who had not applied before. We are examining the position to see what further steps should be taken.