asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the recent announcement concerning vaccine-damaged children, in advance of the Report of the Pearson Committee on Civil Liability, if he will now consider a scheme to assist slate quarrymen suffering from pneumoconiosis, silicosis and associated lung diseases.

No. My right hon. Friend made clear in his statement to the House on 14th June—[Vol. 933, c. 240–8]— that special considerations relating to such children warranted the making of an announcement in advance of receipt of the Royal Commission's report.