§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the terms of reference of the inter-departmental working group on compensation for sufferers from pneumoconiosis and silicosis, the composition of the group, and the estimated schedule of their work, and when he expects it to report;
(2) if the inter-departmental working group on sufferers from pneumoconiosis and silicosis have yet taken evidence from pottery workers or the widows of pottery
816WDisturbance allowance—£6 per week, £12 per week for the first 3 months of transfer.
Continuing liability allowance—Up to £15 per week maximum.
Household removal expenses—Actual cost.
Fares for dependants—Actual cost.
Legal expenses grant:
- (i) for house sale—¾ of legal costs to a maximum of £250.
- (ii) for house purchase—¾ of legal costs to a maximum of £170.
Transfer grant:
- (i) for workers from non Assisted Areas—£150.
- (ii) forworkersfromAssistedAreas— £500.
- (iii) for workers who have completed a course of training under the Training Opportunities Scheme and who are taking up their first job in the training trade within six months of completing the course—£700.
workers; and, if not, if they propose to do so.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Departments of Employment—including the Health and Safety Executive—Energy, Environment, Health and Social Security, Industry and Trade, Treasury, Lord Chancellor's Department, Ministry of Defence and Welsh Office are represented on the working group.
As I explained to the hon. Member for Merioneth (Mr. Thomas) on 2nd May, the task of the group is:
to review all the available evidence relating to the question of compensation for workers 817W suffering from pneumoconiosis and similar respirable dust diseases, particularly those who no longer have an employer against whom they can bring an action for damages; to obtain such further information and evidence as is necessary; and to report to Ministers with their recommendations".—[Vol. 949. c. 81–2.]The working group regards this task as embracing the question of the compensation of widows and already has access to a great deal of relevant information, including the evidence submitted to the Pearson Commission and information about the problem in the pottery industry. It will primarily be for the group to consider what further evidence is needed. The group is actively engaged on the work involved. I cannot yet say, however, when it expects to complete its work and report to Ministers.