§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what funds he will commit to undertake research which would allow a reassessment of the decision of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council not to distinguish between the development of chronic bronchitis or emphysema through smoking and that brought on by exposure to substances associated with the processing, smelting, working or production of steel.
§ Mr. ScottIt is not the practice of this Department to fund medical research into diseases which may be occupationally related.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ask the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to reassess its previous decisions relating to the acceptance of work-related causes for steel workers developing chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
§ Mr. ScottThe Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's report of May 1988 on bronchitis and emphysema (Cm. 379) concluded that it was not possible on the available evidence to recommend prescription of these diseases in their own right. The council intends to review this subject again when further evidence is available.