HC Deb 06 March 2000 vol 345 c465W
Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total of payments made to date to NACODS South Wales area as reimbursement of costs incurred in the compensation claims for(a) chest disease and (b) vibration white finger. [112481]

Mrs. Liddell

The Government make no payments direct to NACODS South Wales area.

Under the arrangements agreed between the DTI and the Claimants' Solicitor's Groups for chest diseases and vibration white finger, the Government pay any costs or reasonable disbursements falling due direct to the solicitors. Any arrangement whereby Unions recover sums from the solicitors is strictly a matter for the parties concerned.

Mr. Alexander

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the compensation that will be paid out over the next three years to miners and miners' widows in respect of(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK. [112961]

Mrs. Liddell

Over the next three years we currently estimate that compensation will be paid as follows:

  1. (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema
    1. (i) £53 million in Scotland
    2. (ii) £699 million in the UK (including Scotland)
  2. (b) Vibration white finger
    1. (i) £47 million in Scotland
    2. (ii) £760 million in the UK (including Scotland).

These estimates are subject to considerable change. Firmer figures will become available only once significant numbers of claimants for both diseases have been through the full assessment procedures.