§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date hard metal disease was prescribed for industrial disablement benefit purposes; if he will list the medical conditions which are treated as pneumoconiosis for industrial disablement benefit purposes, and in relation to each disease when it was first so treated; and in relation to the lung conditions which are treated as pneumoconiosis for industrial disablement benefit purposes, what publicity has been issued by the Department of Social Security to inform potential claimants about their potential eligibility.
§ Mr. ScottFibrosis of the lung caused by dust from hard metal is covered by the definition of pneumoconiosis which, for the purposes of industrial injuries disablement benefit, includes fibrosis of the lungs due to silica dust, asbestos dust or other dust. This definition was first included in the coal mining industry (pneumoconiosis) compensation scheme under the Workmen's Compensation Act 1943. Information is available in a number of departmental leaflets; leaflet N13 in particular refers to lung diseases caused by some dusts and fibres.