HC Deb 14 June 2000 vol 351 cc657-9W
Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims from widows have been settled in respect of mineworkers who died of chronic bronchitic emphysema in the last two years. [125880]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 13 June 2000]We have made interim payments of bereavement awards to 2,577 widows seeking compensation for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, totalling £22.5 million. At present 262 claims from widows have been assessed through the medical process. We expect these claims to be settled shortly.

My Department has also received estate claims in respect of some 7,400 miners who died between 1992 and May 1997.

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims his Department has received from mineworkers claiming compensation for chronic bronchitic emphysema; and, since May 1997, how many such claims have been settled. [125882]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 13 June 2000]After years of neglect by British Coal and a blind eye from the previous Administration, this Government have reached an agreement which gives former miners fair compensation for their suffering resulting from these diseases.

The Department's claims handlers have registered nearly 107,000 claims for chronic bronchitis and emphysema from former miners and their families. To date, we have made 21,500 payments in full and final, and part settlements, totalling £60.5 million.

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he appointed respiratory consultants to examine and report on claims from mineworkers for chronic bronchitic emphysema; how many have been appointed in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland; and when he expects the reports to be complete. [125881]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 13 June 2000]Healthcall commenced recruitment on 1 November 1999. To date 170 respiratory consultants have been recruited including 77 who are not allocated to a specific location. Reports are to be completed as soon as possible.

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many mineworkers requesting domiciliary visits for tests in respect of claims for chronic bronchitic emphysema died prior to the test being carried out. [125883]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 13 June 2000]After years of neglect by British Coal and inaction by the previous Administration, this Government have reached an agreement which gives former miners fair compensation for their suffering resulting from these diseases.

My Department has received estates claims in respect of some 7,400 miners who died between 1992 and May 1997. Many of these could have received compensation during their lifetime if British Coal and the previous Administration had not continued to deny responsibility.

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to make bereavement awards to the relatives of deceased widows of mineworkers who would have qualified for payments due under death certificates relating to chronic bronchitic emphysema. [125885]

Mrs. Liddell

[holding answer 13 June 2000]After inaction under the previous Government, this Government have reached an agreement which should give former miners fair compensation for their suffering resulting from these diseases.

The Department has agreed that the sons and daughters of those widows who died in the period between the date of the High Court judgment and the signing of the Handling Agreement may receive an ex-gratia payment.

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received concerning lung function tests carried out on behalf of the Government by Healthcall in respect of compensation claims from mineworkers suffering from chronic bronchitic emphysema. [125884]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 13 June 2000]I am informed that no such representations have been received.