§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many claims for compensation have been submitted to the French authorities since 1 January 1995 following lorry blockades; and how many have been(a) paid in full, (b) paid in part and (c) not paid at all. [31923]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 2 March 1998]: I have been asked to reply.
I regret that this information is not available. My Department provided detailed advice and assistance in respect of the 1996 blockades, during which many UK hauliers were stranded, and forwarded those claims that were routed through it. Other claims were submitted direct to the French authorities and so we do not know the total number. Settlement and payment of claims is a matter between the French authorities and individual claimants. My Department is continuing to work closely with the French authorities to ensure that claims are dealt with fairly within the framework of French law.