Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema (Hansard, 18 February 1997)

§ Mr. Roger Evans

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in November 1996 that the Government would implement, in full, the recommendations made by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to change the qualifying conditions for the award of disablement benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema—Cm 3240. Good progress has been made in the meantime, and I can now announce that we will be able to bring the changes into operation from 9 April. These changes will make it more straightforward for coal miners who are disabled by these diseases to qualify for benefit, and easier to administer the scheme.

The Benefits Agency has undertaken extensive planning to implement these changes efficiently and as soon as practicable. Arrangements are in hand to publicise the change locally in a way that will target the communities most affected and use the means most likely to reach the people concerned.

511W

People making claims under the new arrangements are advised to do so from the beginning of April, but not before. We expect a relatively small number of Benefits Agency offices to receive a large number of claims over a short period of time. Inevitably, this work will take some time to process, however, arrangements will be put in place to inform people who claim of progress from written acknowledgment of the claim through to decision and, where appropriate, payment. Successful claims made at the right time will be paid with effect from 9 April.

A new edition of leaflet N 17 "People who have worked underground in a coal mine for 20 years" will be available in English and Welsh in social security offices from April. Revised claim forms will also be available.

The Benefits Agency is contacting mining organisations, GPs and citizen advice bureaux in mining areas to ensure that everyone is informed. Administration of claims will be simplified wherever possible.