HC Deb 31 October 2001 vol 373 cc706-7W
Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims made under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme which have been refused at appeal have been taken to the independent adjudicator; and how many have been successful. [10783]

Nigel Griffiths

As at 29 October, 101 appeals have been sent to the independent adjudicator for consideration. So far three have been allowed.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average length of time taken to settle claims made under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme. [10785]

Nigel Griffiths

Over half of the compensation payments were made within five months of the launch of the scheme.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme from those who have continued to fish after 1979 have been paid. [10786]

Nigel Griffiths

Trawlermen who qualified for compensation under the initial rules of the scheme may have continued fishing on vessels other than former Icelandic water trawlers or moved out of fishing entirely. I regret that information differentiating these two groups is not available.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme are outstanding; and if she will make a statement. [10457]

Ms Hewitt

All claims received have been scrutinised and entered into the special computer system established for the scheme. Some 1,781 claims have not yet been paid or rejected either because they were on hold or because further information is awaited, often from claimants themselves.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims made under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme have been refused; how many have been subsequently appealed; and how many appeals have been successful. [10784]

Nigel Griffiths

As of 29 October, 4,199 claims have been rejected. 101 appeals have been sent to the independent adjudicator for consideration, of which three have been allowed so far.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount paid so far is under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme. [10787]

Nigel Griffiths

At 22 October, £22.8 million had been paid out in compensation under the scheme.