§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received over the error in British Coal information in assessing current earnings for claims by retired and redundant mineworkers for the reduced earnings allowance; and if he will make a statement.
(2) how many redundant and retired mineworkers have been refused benefit under the reduced earnings allowance scheme because of the error in the current earnings assessment provided by British Coal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice he has given to local offices where claims have been made by retired and redundant mineworkers and have been refused on inaccurate evidence given by British Coal on current earnings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottIt would be inappropriate to issue advice because decisions on claims for reduced earnings allowance are a matter for the independent statutory authorities and not the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is intending to take to alert redundant and retired mineworkers who have lost benefit under the reduced earnings allowance scheme because of incorrect figures provided by British Coal when assessing current earnings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottNone. We are aware of neither national nor local problems arising out of the arrangements with British Coal.