12.—(1) This regulation applies where, for the purpose of a decision of the Secretary of State relating to a claim for industrial injuries benefit under Part V of the Contributions and Benefits Act an issue to be decided is—
(a)the extent of a personal injury for the purposes of section 94 of that Act;
(b)whether the claimant has a disease prescribed for the purposes of section 108 of that Act or the extent of any disablement resulting from such a disease; or
(c)whether the claimant has a disablement for the purposes of section 103 of that Act or the extent of any such disablement.
(2) In connection with making a decision to which this regulation applies, the Secretary of State may refer an issue, together with any relevant evidence or information available to him, including any evidence or information provided by or on behalf of the claimant, to a medical practitioner who has experience in such of the issues specified in paragraph (1) as are relevant to the decision, for such report as appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary for the purpose of providing him with information for use in making the decision.
(3) In making a decision to which this regulation applies, the Secretary of State shall have regard to (among other factors)—
(a)all relevant medical reports provided to him in connection with that decision; and
(b)the experience, in such of the issues specified in paragraph (1) as are relevant to the decision, of any medical practitioner who has provided a report, including a medical practitioner who has provided a report following an examination required by the Secretary of State under section 19.