HC Deb 25 July 1986 vol 102 cc724-5W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what he attributes the trends in the number of cases referred to medical boarding centres between 1975 and 1984; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to medical boarding centres (respiratory diseases). The downward trend in the number of cases referred to these centres between 1975 and 1984 can be attributed in part to the steadily reducing numbers employed in the mining industry and in part to improved working conditions. The slight increase in 1983 followed the inclusion of occupational asthma as a prescribed disease in 1982. The low figures for 1984 can probably be attributed to the miners' strike.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he takes to ensure that his Department's officers appropriately and expeditiously assist potential applicants to special medical boards.

Mr. Newton

Applications to special medical boards are from people suffering from malignant respiratory diseases. Advice to these people is contained in leaflets N12, N13 and PN1.

These cases are handled with extreme urgency. Arrangements are made immediately for a medical board whilst at the same time the other information needed to decide the claim is gathered. Extra managerial checks are undertaken to ensure that these claims are progressed as quickly as possible.

If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind perhaps he would write to me.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether medical boarding centre examinations are carried out by Dr. K. Browne; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

Dr. K. Browne was appointed in 1985 as a part-time medical officer to the medical boarding centre (respiratory diseases) in London following his retirement from the post of medical officer to Cape Asbestos Ltd. He is an internationally known specialist on occupational lung diseases.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions hon. and right hon. Members have written to him or to other Ministers in his Department about individual findings of the special medical boards since 1979.

Mr. Newton

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.