§ Mr. Alasdair MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if interest will be paid to ex-miners suffering from respiratory diseases and claiming compensation, following delays in payment, in addition to the compensation paid. [135118]
§ Mrs. LiddellUnder the Claims Handling Agreement, signed by the Department and the Solicitors acting for the claimants, interest on general damages is payable from the date of the receipt of the letter of claim. On special damages, interest is payable from either the date the loss occurred, or in some cases the date of receipt of the letter of claim. Loss of earnings are calculated at the appropriate Court rate, and other heads of special damages are calculated at a reduced rate, reflecting the fact that these are assessed at present day values. All interest runs to the date an offer is accepted.