§ Sir Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made towards 8W implementing the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's recommendation to extend the occupational cover for viral hepatitis.
§ Mr. NewtonI am pleased to announce that regulations were laid on 1 November which should benefit more people who have contracted viral hepatitis. They take effect on 3 December 1984. Employed earners who have worked in any occupation involving contact with human blood or human blood products, or who have been in contact with a source of viral hepatitis, will be covered by the regulations. Cover was previously restricted to employed earners who worked in any occupation involving close and frequent contact with human blood or human blood products, or close and frequent contact with a source of viral hepatitis infection by reason of employment in the medical treatment or nursing of a person or persons suffering from viral hepatitis or in a service ancillary to such treatment or nursing.