§ Sir Raymond PowellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been paid to(a) widows and (b) miners who were in receipt of state benefits for chronic bronchitis and emphysema; how many (i) miners and (ii) widows are entitled to receive these benefits; when the final payments are to be paid; and what arrangements apply to the interest on this money whilst negotiations continue. [42341]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 18 May 1998]: To date, over 200 interim payments of £2,000 have been made to miners in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema (PD.D12). We have recently extended the offer of interim payments to widows whose husbands were in receipt of PD.D12 benefit and, to date, 5 payments have been made. However, the speed at which such offers can continue to be made is reliant on the co-operation of the claimants' solicitors who need to submit evidence of receipt of benefit and confirm acceptance of the offer on behalf of the claimant.
The Department has also now extended the offer to all claimants currently in receipt of PD.D12 benefit, estimated to be in excess of 13,000. However, DSS are unable to provide a breakdown between miners and widows, whose husbands would have been receiving PD.D12 benefit.
326W
Prisoners convicted of terrorist-related offences and repatriated to the Republic of Ireland Offence Date of sentence Sentence Date of transfer to the Republic Release under rules applicable in England Release under rules applicable in Northern Ireland prior to the Belfast Agreement Attempted murder, conspiracy to cause explosions 19 October 1993 25 years 14 May 1996 15 July 2009 15 May 2005 Attempted murder x 3, conspiracy to cause explosions, conspiracy to murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition x 2, unlawful possession of explosive substances, unlawful imprisonment 11 May 1976 Life 21 May 1996 Discretionary Discretionary Conspiracy to cause explosions 21 October 1994 25 years 13 November 1996 12 July 2010 12 May 2006 Causing explosions, attempted murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms 10 February 1994 35 years 13 November 1996 27 June 2016 27 August 2010 At a hearing on 27 March, plaintiff's solicitors requested a three-month adjournment to allow discussions on settlement arrangements to be progressed. The Court granted the adjournment and these discussions are continuing. We hope that arrangements can be agreed quickly, allowing full and final settlements for valid claims to begin being made as soon as possible.
Any interest payable on an award of compensation is usually calculated and paid at the same time as the award, i.e. at final settlement. If an interim payment has been made, then this amount is deducted from the compensation award before the interest is calculated.