§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) interim and (b) final payments were made between (i) 1 January and 1 July and (ii) 2 July and 1 December to vibration white finger claimants in St. Helens, South. [22956]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 18 December 2001]IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, made 31 interim payments and 20 full and final payments amounting to £278,674 between 1 January and 1 July 2001 in the constituency of St. Helens, South for vibration white finger (VWF). Between 2 July and 1 December 2001, 34 interim payments and 28 full and final settlements were made, amounting to £342,762. There are 431 VWF claimants in total in this constituency.