Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Industrial Disablement Benefit – 24 November 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Industrial Disablement Benefit on 24th November 1986.

Mr. Dobson Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make it his policy to collect information to determine the average length of time for which 100 per cent. industrial disablement benefit is paid.

Mr. Major No. This would not be justified on grounds of cost.

Mr. Dobson Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will give the number of cases in 1985 in which asbestosis accompanied by lung cancer was diagnosed by each medical board centre following a claim for industrial disablement benefit.

Mr. Major Information is not available in the form requested. In 1985 special medical boards diagnosed eight cases of lung cancer where there was accompanying evidence of asbestosis or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening.

Mr. Dobson Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the 100 per cent. disablement benefit awards made by special medical boards in 1984 were first awards as opposed to re-assessments; and how many were for asbestos-related diseases.

Mr. Major I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.