Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Health – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 5 December 1960.
Mr John Dugdale
, West Bromwich
12:00,
5 December 1960
asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the present procedure for the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Enoch Powell
, Wolverhampton South West
Yes, Sir. The facilities in the National Health Service for diagnosing pneumoconiosis are adequate and I am advised that the medical procedures are well understood.
Mr John Dugdale
, West Bromwich
Is the right hon. Gentleman certain that they find all those who have it, and with sufficient speed?
Mr Enoch Powell
, Wolverhampton South West
I have no reason to doubt that, but if the right hon. Gentleman has any information tending to the contrary effect, I shall be very glad to examine it.
Mr James Griffiths
, Llanelli
The definition of pneumoconiosis on which present cases are decided was reached a quarter of a century ago, after an investigation by the Medical Research Council. Has not the time now arrived when, in view of our much wider experience, there should be another investigation by the Council?
Mr Enoch Powell
, Wolverhampton South West
I think that is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.
Mr Desmond Donnelly
, Pembrokeshire
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have had a number of cases in my Constituency in which patients have been diagnosed as not having pneumoconiosis but who, when they have died, have been shown by autopsy to have been suffering from it? If I send the right hon. Gentleman details, will he look at the problem?
Mr Enoch Powell
, Wolverhampton South West
Certainly.
Mr George Brown
, Belper
The Minister said only that he thought that this was a matter for his right hon. Friend. Will he at least say that he will discuss the matter with that right hon. Gentleman to see what can be done done about it?
Mr Enoch Powell
, Wolverhampton South West
I am sure that my right hon. Friend's attention will be drawn to the terms of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Warrington
Can I add to what my right hon. Friend has said?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I called the next Question before I saw the right hon. Lady was rising.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
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