HC Deb 15 March 2004 vol 419 cc69-70W
Mr. Denis Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much compensation has been paid to claimants in the Wansbeck constituency for(a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic bronchitis and emphysema. [159584]

Nigel Griffiths

Figures as of 31 January 2004 are:

£million
Total amount paid
Respiratory disease 11.9
Vibration white finger (VWF) 26.7

Constituency figures can be found on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk/coalhealth. The information is compiled in the middle of the month and shows the figures for the end of the previous month.

Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many mining compensation claims have reached full and final settlement using the interim pensions spreadsheet. [159591]

Nigel Griffiths

As at 7 March 2004, 23,438 respiratory disease claims had received a full and final settlement in respect of pension loss. The Department does not distinguish between claims settled using the pension calculator and claims settled using the pension loss speadsheet. However, claimants who accept a pension loss payment using the spreadsheet have the option of accepting that payment in full and final settlement of pension loss, or accepting that payment as an interim award and claiming a top-up payment if appropriate once the pension calculator has been finalised.

Mr. Denis Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims have been received for chronic bronchitis and emphysema. [159692]

Nigel Griffiths

As of 29 February 2004, the Department had received nearly 463,000 claims for respiratory disease.