Mr. Milanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken by his Department to publicise the new rules relating to benefit for occupational deafness, in particular in relation to applicants whose claims were turned down under the old rules on the basis that the claims were made more than 12 months after they had been employed in a listed occupation, but who may now be eligible for benefit under the new rules which extend the 12 month period to five years.
§ Mr. NewtonThe following measures have been taken to publicise the extension in October 1983 of the occupational deafness scheme. In each case attention was specifically drawn to the new five year time limit on claims.
412WPress releases were issued in April and July 1983 giving details of the extension and the transitional arrangements for accepting claims.A revised leaflet describing the scheme and the extension of its coverage was issued.
Details of the extension were sent to he TUC, the CBI and the major employers' organisations in the industries affected.From November 1982 (ie, the date when the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommendations for the extension were published), DHSS local offices maintained a list of claimants who failed to get benefit under the old provisions. In September 1983, those claimants who appeared as if they might be eligible for benefit under the new rules were invited to claim again.