§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what specific areas relating to industrial deafness the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council is reviewing; what progress is being made; and what other possible areas of industrial disease are being considered at present by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. [64974]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Industrial Injuries Advisory Council is undertaking a review of the whole schedule of occupational diseases for which Industrial Injuries benefits are paid, except for a few diseases that they have recently examined. Their aim is to update and simplify the list of diseases, to ensure that they reflect current scientific knowledge.
The Council has set up a dedicated sub-group—the Occupational Deafness Working Group to examine occupational deafness. This is to examine all the criteria for awarding benefit for occupational deafness. The group issued a consultation paper in August 1998 to obtain views on the jobs included for benefit purposes.
When they have finished their consideration, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council will report their conclusions and recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Due to the number of prescribed diseases, there is likely to be more than one report. The timing of the Council's report is a matter for them.