§ Jeff EnnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average level is of final settlements that have been agreed so far to former miners suffering from(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger. [155026]
§ Nigel GriffithsAs of 1 February 2004 the average payment figure to each miner for respiratory disease was £7,715. The average payment figure for vibration white finger (VWF) was £8,354.
§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are in receipt of a pension from the Mineworkers Pension Scheme; and how much has been paid from the scheme in each year since it was established. [154613]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 12 February 2004]: The information requested is in the table.
Number of pensioners in payment Amount of pension benefit paid (£ million) Amount of bonus payments (£ million) 1994 251,674 355 1995 243,147 359 1996 243,257 364 1997 241,217 398 23 1998 241,068 483 69 1999 237,132 485 76 2000 234,568 488 82 2001 234,455 531 119 2002 237,929 584 127