§ Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid by her Department in coal health claims for(a) occupational respiratory disease and (b) vibration white finger in fees and other charges to (i) her Department's legal advisers and counsel, (ii) her Department's claim handlers, (iii) the medical service providers (A) Healthcall Ltd. and (B) SEMA, (iv) external and seconded consultants, (v) other contractors and (vi) claimants' solicitors, in the period up to 31 December 1997 and in each subsequent year. [54839]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Department is unable to provide figures relating to contractors' fees, as the details of these payments remain commercially confidential.
Figures for the period prior to 1 April 1999 are not available in time allowed. However, from 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2001 the Department has paid out the following on administrative costs (medical, records collection, defendant legal and claims handling costs) broken down by financial year and scheme:
£ million Financial Year Respiratory disease Vibration white finger 1999–2000 4.6 1.1 2000–01 19 8.4 April to December 2001 43.8 5.6 Total from April 1999 to December 2001 67.4 15.1 The cost of administrative expenses for the Department on this work cannot be separately identified.