§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long ex-miners will have to wait for payments once they have been assessed as eligible under the compensation scheme. [91161]
§ Mr. BattleDetails of the time-scales for claimants passing through the various stages of the assessment process for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease have still to be finalised. However, the intention is that individuals will receive an offer of compensation within 28 days of their detailed medical assessment having been completed and their eligibility for compensation established. Payment will then be made within 14 days of written confirmation that the offer has been accepted.
§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants he estimates will use the ex-miner compensation lung-test centre facility in Bristol; and when he expects testing of those people to be concluded. [91160]
§ Mr. BattleTo date a total of 108 claimants have been assessed at the Bristol spirometry centre and a further 19 claimants, who have yet to respond to a letter of invitation, remain to be tested. In addition, 12 claimants in the Bristol area have provided doctors' letters which mean they will receive domiciliary visits.