§ Mr. Concannonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the regulations on industrial deafness so as to bring them into line with other industrial diseases.
§ Mr. RossiThe Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, an independent body which advises my right hon. Friend on matters relating to the industrial injuries benefits scheme, has a continuing remit to keep the benefit provisions for occupational deafness under review. I understand that a sub-committee of the council is at present considering the latest evidence on the scheme's operation and on the possibilities for extending its coverage.
§ Mr. Concannonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many coal miners have obtained disablement benefit from the extension of the regulations covering occupational deafness on 3 September 1979.
§ Mr. RossiThere is no centralised record of such awards, and it would be disapproportionately expensive to assemble the information requested from regional office and local office records.