HC Deb 31 January 2001 vol 362 cc238-9W
7. Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the Secretary of State for Social Security to discuss the impact of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Regulations 1997 upon the people of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [146527]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I have met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security regarding this issue. He is now examining, with the claimants' solicitors, ways of speeding up and simplifying the system, and is proposing to issue "nil" certificates when interim payments are made, to extend the time for which recovery certificates are valid, and to accept sworn statements from former miners when they become ill.