§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will commission a comparison between her Department's predicted values in the lung function test and the European Community for Steel and Coal study undertaken in 1993; [39921]
(2) when the survey of the general population, which is the basis of the predicted performance used in the lung function test was undertaken; how many males were included in the survey; what proportion of those taking part smoked; and when it was last updated; [39920]
(3) what is the basis of the predicted performance used in the lung function test; how it is calculated; and when it was first devised; [39918]
(4) if the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council has re-evaluated J. E. Cotes' Lung Function Assessment in Medicine used by her Department, since the European Respiratory Society recommended the use of ECSC values; and what was the outcome. [39919]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Industrial Injuries Advisory Council provides Ministers with expert independent advice on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Benefit Scheme. The Council re-evaluated the use of the Cotes equation for the lung function test in their review of the prescription of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. That re-evaluation included consideration of the European Community for Coal and Steel study published in 1993. The Council concluded that the Cotes equation remained as appropriate as any other available equations, including that published in the latter study. A copy of the Council's report of their review entitled "Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema" (Cm 3240) which was published in May 1996 is in the Library. Particulars of the Cotes equation and the reference populations used in Cotes are set out in detail in "Lung Function: Assessment and Application in Medicine" by J. E. Cotes (ISBN 0–632–00033–3).