§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many test centres have been established for claimants for compensation for chronic bronchitis and emphysema; where they are; and when he expects all planned test centres to be in operation. [120400]
§ Mrs. LiddellSpirometry testing has been conducted at 36 centres at Barnsley, Blackpool, Bolsover, Bristol, Cannock, Cardiff, Chesterfield, Coventry, Deal, Durham, Drongon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hessle, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leicester, Lochore, Mansfield, Mexborough, Mountain Ash, Newcastle, Newport, Nottingham, Oxford, Pontefract, Plymouth, Salford, Sheffield, South Rislip, Stoke, Swansea, Whitehaven, Wigan, Wirral and340W Wrexham. In addition to the 46,000 or so spirometry assessments carried at these centres, the Department has also assessed over 3,000 claimants in their homes.
The centres in Barnsley, Bristol, Cannock, Chesterfield, Coventry, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Huddersfield, Leeds, Lochore, Mansfield, Mexborough, Mountain Ash, Newcastle, Newport, Nottingham, Pontefract, Sheffield, Stoke, Swansea, Wigan and Wrexham have now been fully adapted for the more detailed medical requirements of the main Medical Assessment Process (MAP). There are also new cantres in Ayr, Enfield and Manchester. In addition the spirometry centre in Deal will be adapted shortly. The need for further centres will be kept under review.