§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects solicitors dealing with mining and compensation claims to have received the chronic bronchitis and emphysema pensions model on computer disc. [77974]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Department issued a spreadsheet based pensions calculator to claimants' representatives on computer disc in June 2002, as an interim measure to assist solicitors. The spreadsheet is also available on the website.
An enhanced pensions model is being developed and is currently undergoing comprehensive testing. Such testing is necessary to ensure that the model is calculating damages correctly before it is issued to claimants' representatives.
853WThe Department is liaising with the Coordinating Solicitors Group on both the testing and the plans for issuing it once testing is complete. It is currently planned to release the model in stages-and we expect that the first phase will be released by the end of the year, subject to resolution of certain outstanding issues.
The pensions model is a complex piece of software and a number of parties are involved in the test and issue process. It is not possible to exactly predict when the complete model will be available, as further problems may be identified during the remaining period of testing that could require fixing before final release.