§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to complete his consideration of the recommendation in the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council relating to occupational deafness; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiMy right hon. Friend accepts the recommendations for extending the coverage of the scheme. Consequently Regulations will be laid later in the year to increase the occupations covered and to extend the scheme to people working in the immediate vicinity of most prescribed processes. The minimum qualifying period of employment is to be reduced from 20 years to 10, and the period within which claims must be made will increase from 12 months to five years.
Regulations will also be laid to implement other recommendations by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. These relate to restructuring the schedule of prescribed diseases; extension of cover to extrinsic allergic alveolitis and byssinosis; and the prescription of streptoccocus suis. Regulations to clarify and extend the terms under which neoplasm of the bladder is prescribed, as recommended in a report which will be published shortly, will be laid at the same time.