HC Deb 26 April 1993 vol 223 cc312-3W
Mr. Eric Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will launch a campaign to publicise the new rights for people affected by emphysema and bronchitis.

Mr. Scott

The addition of chronic bronchitis and emphysema to the list of prescribed diseases, for which industrial injuries disablement benefit is payable, will be well publicised. Details of how people can claim will be announced well before the implementation date of 13 September 1993.

Mr. Eric Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will have consultations with the mining trade unions and other interested parties prior to starting up the processing of claims for bronchitis and emphysema.

Mr. Scott

Discussions are already under way with British Coal and officials will shortly be writing to the mining trade unions about the arrangements for handling claims. Discussions will be held with other interested parties as necessary.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if the procedures for diagnosing coal miners suffering from emphysema and bronchitis will be carried out by the Pneumoconiosis Medical Board;

(2) if the appeals procedure for coal miners suffering from emphysema and bronchitis will be carried out by the Pneumoconiosis Medical Appeals Tribunal.

Mr. Scott

Diagnosis will be carried out by specially qualified adjudicating medical practitioners or special medical boards at the Department's medical boarding centres. Appeals will be dealt with by the independent tribunal service; those against the decision of a SQAMP or SMB will be dealt with by medical appeal tribunals; those against the decisions of the Department's adjudication officers will be dealt with by social security appeal tribunals.

Mr. Eric Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to provide a pension for widows and dependents and for posthumous claims to be processed by the Pneumoconiosis Medical Appeal Tribunal.

Mr. Scott

There is provision in the industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme for widows to make posthumous claims for benefit. Widows may also qualify for widows benefit where the death of their husband was caused by occupational injury or prescribed disease.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security from what date the procedures for diagnosing coal miners suffering from emphysema and bronchitis will come into force.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 29 March 1993 at column77.