§ Mr. Alasdair MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the value of compensation clawback from(a) Scottish and (b) UK ex-miners as a result of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997. [135119]
§ Mr. BayleyWe do not have a current estimate of the amount of benefit that will be recovered from the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of UK ex-miners cases as a result of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997.
The number of claims settled to date has been relatively small. Claims by ex-miners against the former British Coal Board are a unique situation, and we will be able to prepare reliable estimates only once more robust information regarding the numbers of potential claims, and the potential amounts to be recovered, becomes available.
§ Mr. Alasdair MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the estimated average delay arising from the need to assess recovery of compensation under the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 was in the last 12 months in payment of compensation to ex-miners suffering from respiratory diseases. [135122]
§ Mr. BayleyThe Compensation Recovery Unit has a statutory obligation to advise compensators of the amount to be recovered, within 28 days of a request for this information. This obligation is being met in 99.8 per cent. of cases. In cases where the information is not sent within 28 days, the Unit loses its right to recover and the compensator is entitled to settle without further reference to the Unit.
Compensators (including the Department of Trade and Industry) apply to this Department for details of the amount to be recovered well in advance of making any settlement, and apply periodically for revised details. Thus they are in possession of current details on the date that an agreement to settle is made, and compensation may be paid without delay.
§ Mr. Alasdair MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the recovery of compensation payments under the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 is applicable if the recipient of compensation is the widow of the original claimant. [135120]
§ Mr. BayleyYes. The requirement to recover compensation payments applies in respect of the benefits paid to the person who suffered the accident, injury or disease, irrespective of whether the actual recipient of the compensation payment is someone other than the person who suffered the accident, injury or disease. Recovery is made at source from the compensator, never from the recipient.
§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many certificates have been issued by the Compensation Recovery Unit to reclaim benefits from damages received under the miners" compensation settlement; what was the original amount earmarked that could be reclaimed under these certificates; and what is currently the estimated amount. [136430]
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§ Mr. BayleyThe information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.