§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the(a) highest, (b) lowest and (c) average award of compensation before repayment of any DSS benefits to the Compensation Recovery Unit in respect of asbestos-related claims by MOD (i) civilian and (ii) former civilian staff in the last five years for (1) pleural plaques, (2) diffuse pleural thickening, (3) asbestosis, (4) mesothelioma and (5) lung cancer; [6492]
(2) how many claims by MOD civilian or former civilian staff are outstanding in relation to illnesses resulting from alleged exposure to asbestos during their service with (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) and Army; [6489]
(3) how many claims made in the last 15 years in respect of MOD civilian (a) staff and (b) former staff have resulted in financial compensation for (i) pleural plaques. (ii) diffuse pleural thickening, (iii) asbestosis, (iv) mesothelioma and (v) lung cancer attributable to exposure to asbestos during their service with (1) the Royal Navy, (2) the Royal Air Force and (3) the Army. [6487]
§ Dr. ReidMy Departments computer records do not show the particular asbestos-related disease or diseases that claimants have allegedly contracted, or whether a civilian or former civilian member of staff claiming compensation was ever in the Armed Forces, or if employed in support of the Armed Forces, with which Service. The claimants employment status at the time the claim was submitted and at the time settled is not readily available. Information on employment history and status could only be provided in respect of the more recent claimants and then only at disproportionate cost. Documentation on claims from civilian and former civilian employees is routinely destroyed three years after the claims has been settled.
Computer based information in respect of the number of claims received from civilian or former civilian staff only goes back to 1 April 1985. In the period 1 April 1985 to 30 April 1997, my Department received 2,286 claims for compensation for asbestos-related disease alleged to have been caused by asbestos exposure while the claimants were employed as MOD civilians. Of these claims, 1,797 have resulted in the payment of compensation. On 30 April 1997, 303 claims were outstanding.
In the five years since 1 May 1992, the highest amount paid in compensation before repayment of DSS benefits, in respect of a single claim to a civilian or former civilian MOD employee was £298,500: the lowest was £110; and the average is £20,344.