HC Deb 30 November 1999 vol 340 cc153-4W
Mr. Alasdair Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the claims received from ex-miners in Scotland for chronic bronchitis and emphysema have been fully processed; and how many claimants have died before their claims were fully processed. [100270]

Mrs. Liddell

As at 22 November, the Department had made 133 full and final payments to Scottish ex-miners, totalling some £218,000. Prior to the signing of the Handling Agreement for England and Wales on 24 September, we had commenced discussions with Scottish solicitors to adapt the Agreement to take into consideration the differences between English and Welsh, and Scottish law. The Department expects to sign an agreement with Scottish solicitors shortly and this will enable the number of offers to increase.

As at 24 November IRISC, the Department's claims handler, had been informed of 217 claims where the date of death recorded occurred since their date of claim.

Ms Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) miners and (b) retired miners have died before receiving full compensation payments from public funds for chronic respiratory diseases in the last 12 months. [99856]

Mrs. Liddell

As at 24 November IRISC, the Department's claims handler, had been informed of 1,896 claims where the date of death recorded occurred in the last 12 months. One of these claims was in respect of a currently employed minor. It is not known how many of these claims would have qualified for full compensation under the Handling Agreement concluded on 24 September 1999.

The contract to carry out the medical assessments of live and deceased claims which will form the basis for paying full compensation where appropriate was let on 5 October. Where claims are progressed by an estate or dependant they will be assessed under the Handling Agreement.