§ Jeff EnnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many full and final settlements have been made to former miners suffering from(a) chronic bronchitis emphysema and (b) vibration white finger which total less than £2,143.[142194]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe number of claims settled by payment of less than 2,143 are:
Number of claims settled by full and final payment of less than £2.143 as of 7 December 2003 Respiratory disease 40,538 Vibration White Finger 4,617 Total 45,155
§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if her Department will examine the cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger claimants who entered into conditional fee agreements with solicitors prior to the April 2000 law change and have recently been charged success fees that reflect 25 per cent. of their awards; and what steps she is taking to ensure that solicitors do not double-charge by claiming success fees from both the defendant and the claimant. [143628]
§ Nigel GriffithsOfficials from the DTI met with officials from the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Law Society on 11 December to discuss what action should be taken to address the concerns raised regarding agreements signed by claimants under the coal health compensation schemes. The Law Society have agreed to refer the matter to the next meeting of the their Compliance Board on 13 January. In the meantime I have written to all the solicitors and claims handlers who are processing claims under the health schemes asking them to re-pay any money taken from claimants' compensation on top of the costs paid by the DTI.
§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking in relation to(a) solicitors who additionally charge their clients for undertaking their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger claims and (b) the recovery of money paid by such claimants to their solicitors. [143807]
§ Nigel GriffithsI believe that 100 per cent. of compensation should go to the claimants and I am writing all the solicitors and claims handlers who are 1047W processing claims under the health schemes asking them to re-pay any money taken from claimants' compensation on top of the costs paid by the DTI.