HC Deb 26 November 2001 vol 375 cc713-4W
Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much benefit was paid by the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department of Social Security and the Department of Work and Pensions in respect of miners' occupational lung disease claims under the Social Security Act 1997 (Recoupment of Benefit Provisions); how many cases were involved; and how much benefit in those cases was set off and deducted from the compensation by the Department of Trade and Industry. [17111]

Maria Eagle

The amount recovered is in respect of payments to miners as a consequence of their illness and is recovered direct from the Department of Trade and Industry, not the miners themselves.

The available information is in the table.

Miners occupational lung diseases Number of cases Amount paid (£)
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema 2,020 7,673,339.86
Asthma 7 115,304.50
Mesothelioma 7 55,437.89
Chest/lung condition 1 8,399.40
Pneumoconiosis 1 3,309.88
Total 2,036 7,855,791.53

Information about the amount of deductions made by the Department of Trade and Industry in lieu of benefit paid is not currently available. My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry will write to my hon. Friend with the information when it becomes available.