§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to classify hearing loss at any place of work as an industrial disease as defined in the Social Security Act 1975.
§ Mr. RossiIndustrial injuries benefits for occupational deafness are at present available only for workers in certain prescribed occupations, set out in paragraph 48 of part I of schedule 1 to the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1980 (SI 1980, No. 377). When the scheme was introduced in 1974 occupational restrictions were imposed on the advice of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council—the independent body which advises the Secretary of State for Social Services on industrial injuries matters—because the NHS audiological services could take on no more than a limited number of examinations for benefit purposes if they were not to be diverted from their primary tasks of diagnosing474W and treating all hearing-impaired people. However, the council is currently reviewing the provisions to see what scope there is for extension and what form any extensions should take. I expect its report later this year.