§ David HamiltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made for compensation for vibration white finger/carpal tunnel syndrome, broken down by year of application. [44380]
§ Mr. WilsonCarpal tunnel syndrome, CTS, was not originally included in the Handling Agreement and therefore claimants cannot directly apply for compensation for this disability under the present scheme. However, it was agreed last year between the Department and the claimants' solicitors that CTS is a compensatable condition and these claims would be dealt with alongside vibration white finger, VWF, claims. Where claimants have been diagnosed as suffering from CTS following medical assessment, the Department will make an additional payment. The Department cannot therefore state the numbers of CTS claimants until all valid claimants are assessed.
The number of claims registered for VWF by year is as follows:
Number of claims 1991 1 1994 1 1995 1,201 1996 8,537 1997 9,309 1998 12,079 1999 23,666 2000 60,417 2001 18,474 2002 4,114 Total 137,799