Equal Pay (British Coal) (Hansard, 15 October 2001)

§ Paddy Tipping
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the recent representations she has received about the equal pay claims of female canteen workers and cleaners against the former British Coal. [7537]

§ Ms Hewitt
In the last month I have received in the region of 110 representations on this issue. These have come from Members of Parliament and private individuals.

§ Paddy Tipping
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many payments have been made and what is the total amount paid to settle the equal pay claims between female canteen workers and cleaners and British Coal. [7536]

§ Ms Hewitt
To date we have made 1,256 payments totalling around £10.7 million. The total cost of settlement will be in the region of £14 million.