§ Jeff EnnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many compensation claims for vibration white finger have been denied and are awaiting reconsideration; and how long it will take for all of these to be reconsidered. [122098]
§ Mr. TimmsThere are approximately 26,500 vibration white finger claims that have been denied on the basis of occupation. Of these 13,500 have contended their denial and submitted evidence and 13,000 had not contended the denial by the cut off date of 31 October 2002.
IRISC are currently carrying out a review of these latter claims to identify Group One and Two cases and disputed Group Three cases. This review will take approximately six months to complete. Once complete we will know the number of claims that are solely disputed Group Three claims. We will then have a clearer understanding of how long it will take to carry out an investigation and conclude these claims.