§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received for industrial deafness to be classified as an industrial disease from(a) the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and other bodies or individuals; and if he will make a statement. [25028]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownSensorineural hearing loss due to noise at work has been on the list of Prescribed Diseases under the Industrial Injuries Scheme since 1974 (Prescribed Disease A10 [Occupational Deafness]). The full terms of the qualifying conditions, both in relation to the severity of the hearing loss and the prescribed occupations are set out in the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985, Schedule 1.
In February 1997 the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council announced that it would be undertaking a review of the current schedule of occupational diseases for which benefits are paid. Subsequently, an Occupational Deafness Working Group was set up specifically to review prescribed disease A10 (Occupational Deafness). The council is currently working through all the evidence received and preparing a report to Ministers of its findings.
From time to time we receive correspondence from various bodies and individuals on the subject which we make available to the council.