HC Deb 22 May 1991 vol 191 cc501-2W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now undertake to review the working of the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers'

Table 1
Numbers of reported occupational injuries1 in the East Midlands region 1986–87 to 1989–90 (provisional)
Standard industrial classification 1980 sector Fatal Non-fatal major2 Over 3 day3 Total reported
1986–87
Agriculture 5n.a. 41 148 189
Energy4 1 53 632 686
Manufacturing 6 677 5,427 6,110
Construction 8 138 909 1,055
Services 7 2,019 3,967 5,993
All industries6 22 2,928 11,083 14,033
1987–88
Agriculture 5n.a. 72 182 254
Energy4 1 228 1,829 2,058

Compensation) Act 1979 with a view to establishing whether certain categories of claimants have failed to secure reasonable compensation under the terms of this Act; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

The Government have no current plans to review the working of the compensation scheme which this Act provides. It considers that the Act has well served, and continues to serve, the original purpose intended by Parliament in providing a measure of compensation to sufferers from certain dust diseases who have little chance of obtaining compensation through the courts because the relevant employer is no longer in business. The Government has fully met its commitment to Parliament to review the compensation paid with the aim of maintaining its value.