asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether, further to his answer of 26 July 1978 to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, he can confirm that the inter-departmental working group on compensation for sufferers from pneumoconiosis and silicosis has taken evidence from pottery workers; and, if so, on what dates it was taken and from whom;(2) why the working group on compensation for sufferers from pneumoconiosis and silicosis has not yet reported; and when he now expects to receive the report;(3) what new evidence the working group on compensation for sufferers from pneumoconiosis and silicosis has adduced on its subject of inquiry.

I refer my hon. friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 17 January. The working group has available to it a great deal of information relevant to its task, including evidence submitted to the Pearson Commission generally and information on the pottery industry provided by the Ceramic and Allied Trades Union. It is primarily for the working group to decide if further information is required. I understand that so far the group has not sought additional evidence from the pottery or other industries.