§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of additional compensation to coalminers in the light of the recent legal judgment on respiratory disease; and if this can be accommodated within planned totals for departmental spending. [26183]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 29 January 1998]: The Government are seeking urgent advice from experts on the implications of the judgment and how best to take matters forward. It is too early to say what the total cost of compensation is likely to be, as there is no way of knowing how many claims might be received and for what conditions. The DTI, in conjunction with the plaintiffs' solicitors, is currently devising arrangements to allow relevant claims to be processed systematically and valid claims to be settled as soon as is practicable.