HC Deb 08 December 2003 vol 415 cc259-60W
Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will lodge a complaint with the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors about double charging by solicitors for handling coalmining health claims. [140938]

Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 4 December 2003]We have previously referred some cases of concern on other issues to the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors. Unfortunately the OSS will only accept complaints from a claimant regarding the solicitor they have specifically instructed.

I have received an assurance from the Law Society that they will investigate all cases about solicitors' charging as a matter of urgency. I have received the agreement of the OSS to operate a dedicated phone line for MPs (01926 822173) who wish to discuss constituents complaints.

Any claimant wishing to make a complaint regarding the conduct of their solicitor should address this to the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, Victoria Court, 8 Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5AE or telephone the OSS helpline on 0845 608 6565.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will obtain an opinion from the Solicitor-General on the legality of the practice of some solicitors double charging for handling coalmining health claims. [140939]

Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 4 December 2003]The Department keeps under review the need for legal advice, including whether or not to seek the advice of the Law Officers.

As my hon. Friend is aware, by long-standing convention and under Exemption 4d—information covered by legal professional privilege, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information neither the fact of nor the substance of Law Officers advice is disclosed outside Government.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will issue advertisements informing former miners and their families that solicitors handling coalmining health claims receive payment from her Department in accordance with a fee structure agreed by solicitors representing both sides. [140940]

Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 4 December 2003]Yes.

The Department has issued two advertisements in the national and regional press about the lung disease cut-off date. These informed claimants that there should be no need for solicitors or other claims handling organisations to charge a fee or deduct any compensation from them and if any claims handling organisations suggests other wise they should seek advice elsewhere.

A further advertisement to include this information will be issued in mid December. This advice has also been highlighted in newsletters on the schemes, which are issued regularly, and in update letters to MPs. All coalfield MPs received a note from the claimants' solicitors group on charging issues.