§ Mr. MahmoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to amend the criteria for entitlement to state benefit on the grounds of occupational deafness. [143459]
§ Mr. BrowneWe have no current plans to amend the criteria for entitlement to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for occupational deafness.
However, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council completed a review of occupational deafness last year, all its recommendations have been accepted and amending legislation came into force on 22 September 2003.