asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has now taken to recognise vibration syndrome as an industrial disease; and whether he will make a statement.

The question whether the vibration syndrome should be prescribed under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965, cannot be considered until the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council has been received. I understand that the council is still awaiting the outcome of the further research which was commissioned under Section 71 of the Act at its request.