§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total cost to date of legal action and advice incurred by the British Coal Board or its successors and by government departments in respect of compensation for mineworkers and former mineworkers or their dependents who have suffered or suffer from (a) bronchitis and emphysema or (b) vibration white finger. [HL1505]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleSince litigation began in May 1990, the British Coal Corporation and the DTI, and its claims handling agents have incurred legal costs, including plaintiffs' costs, of some £14.9 million in respect of respiratory disease and £6.3 million in respect of vibration white finger. The £14.9 million on respiratory disease is made up of £3.5 million on defendants' legal costs, £4.1 million on plaintiffs' legal costs and £7.3 million on costs incurred by IRISC (the department's claim handlers), other legal costs and technical pilot project costs. The £6.4 million on vibration white finger is made up of £1.2 million on defendants' legal costs, £2.5 million on plaintiffs' legal costs and £2.7 million on costs incurred by IRISC, other legal costs and technical pilot project costs.