HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 cc303-4W
Mr. Davidson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much compensation has been paid to miners, ex-miners and miners' families in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in(a) the Glasgow, Pollok constituency and (b) the City of Glasgow. [160833]

Mr. Hain

With regard to compensation for respiratory disease, IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, have registered one claimant in the Glasgow, Pollok constituency, as defined by the postcodes G52 and G53. This claim has not been settled as yet.

In the City of Glasgow1, there have been 53 claims initiated. In this region, 37 individual payments have been made, totalling £175,950.

1The City of Glasgow is defined by the postcodes, G1, 2, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20, 21, 32, 41, 43, 45, 51, 53, 61, 64, 72, 73, 76, 81 and 82.

Sir John Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miners in the Aberavon constituency suffering from pneumoconiosis and vibration white finger had been paid compensation on the last date for which figures were available; what the total amount involved was; and what the largest single payment was. [159431]

Mr. Hain

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, advise me that, to date, there have been 1,264 claims registered in the constituency of Aberavon, as defined by the postcodes SA 11–13, CF34 and 42, in respect of vibration white finger (VWF). In this region, there have been 353 individual payments totalling £1.83 million. The highest single payment made to date was £21,250. This does not include claims for services, which have only recently begun to be processed. With regard to pneumoconiosis, figures are only kept nationally.

In relation to claims for coronary obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), IRISC have, to date, registered 3,077 claims in the constituency of Aberavon, as defined above. In this region, there have been 792 individual payments totalling £3.28 million. The single highest payment to date was £51,035.

Sir John Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miners in the Aberavon constituency suffering from emphysema have been paid compensation at the latest date for which figures are available; what the total amount involved was; and what the largest single payment was. [160845]

Mr. Hain

The present British Coal compensation scheme for respiratory disease covers Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema and asthma in certain circumstances. Until claims are assessed, the type and level of injury suffered by claimants cannot be identified and therefore the number of claimants suffering from emphysema alone in the constituency of Aberavon cannot be determined. IRISC have, to date, registered 3,077 claims in respect of respiratory disease in the constituency of Aberavon, as defined by the postcodes SA 11–13, CF34 and 42. In this region, there have been 792 individual payments totalling £3.28 million. The single highest payment to date was £51,035.