HC Deb 11 May 2001 vol 368 c442W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will recognise emphysema and chronic bronchitis as industrial diseases. [161106]

Mr. Hain

In January 1998 my Department assumed responsibility for the former British Coal's health liabilities, which include both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and since then we have paid out over £146 million in compensation.