§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the basis for estimation of pneumoconiosis damage for payment of miners' industrial injury benefit.
§ Mr. ScottWhere a claim is made for industrial injuries disablement benefit for the prescribed disease pneumoconiosis the extent of the disablement is assessed by a special medical board. The board takes into account the nature and extent of the symptoms as explained by the claimant to the board doctors, the physical signs found on clinical418W examination, the extent of the radiological changes of pneumoconiosis, the results of lung function tests, and any other medical evidence. The results of the tests are compared with the results expected of a normal healthy person of the same age, sex and height.
Other conditions which are present, particularly pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis or emphysema may also be taken into account in assessing the overall disablement.