Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average level is of(a) interim and (b) final payments made to date to former miners and their estates under the chronic bronchitis and emphysema compensation scheme. [16694]
§ Mr. WilsonInterim payments are made in a wide range of circumstances and vary widely in value. Claimants who are in receipt of the Industrial Injuries Benefit, PD D12, automatically receive an interim payment of £2,000. Further interims are offered where an expedited offer is made to a claimant, who subsequently rejects the offer and elects to undergo the full Medical Assessment Process or MAP. Where there is an outstanding issue prohibiting a full and final offer, an interim payment is made, the percentage determined by IRISC, the Department's claims handlers. Interim payments are also advanced to the estate or widow, subject to certain criteria cited in the Handling Agreement, of between £3,500 and £7,500. Interest is applicable. To date, over 41,300 interim payments have been made, amounting to £159.5 million. This averages at £3,857, although some claimants may be eligible for more than one payment.
Full and final offers including expedited payments vary widely. Expedited offers are made between £2,050 and £14,500. To date, over 12,800 settlements have been made to the value of £68.2 million. This averages at £5,293 per claimant.