PART IVMEDICAL BOARD

F1Reference for report to a medical practitioner13

1

Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this article, where the Secretary of State has decided that a claimant is not totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis for the purposes of a compensation scheme, and that claimant claims a major incapacity allowance, that claim shall be referred by the Secretary of State to a medical practitioner for advice.

2

For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this article—

a

in a case where the claimant has been held in arbitration proceedings under the Workmen’s Compensation Acts to be totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis, the Secretary of State may determine that the claimant is so disabled without referring the question to a medical practitioner;

b

in a case where the Secretary of State is of the opinion that any other decision or determination disposes of the claim, he may, without referring the question whether the claimant is totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis to a medical practitioner, make a decision that an award cannot be made on the claim.

F2Provision of a report by a medical practitioner14

Where, in pursuance of a reference under article 13 of this scheme, a medical practitioner is satisfied, having examined the claimant, that he is totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis, he shall report his findings to the Secretary of State accordingly.

Radiographic examination15

The F3Secretary of State shall have power, in any case F3where he considers it necessary, to cause to be made a radiographic examination of the lungs of the claimant and to obtain the report of a radiologist on the case.