Written question asked by Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Truscott (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 April 2007.

British Coal Compensation

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total amount in respect of legal costs, including those incurred at trial, paid to their solicitors, Nabarro Nathanson, in respect of (a) the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, and (b) the British Coal white finger vibration litigation; and what estimate they have made of the further amount of legal costs to be paid to those solicitors before the winding-up of each claims handling scheme.

Answer: As at end of February 2007, the costs paid to Nabarro are £34 million. This cannot be broken down by claim type and covers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, vibration white finger and others. On current estimates, it is expected that a further £9 million costs will be incurred by end March 2010.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3109; 691 c58-9WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Compensation Coal British Coal Corporation Legal costs Industrial diseases Mining Solicitors Hand arm vibration syndrome Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Nabarro
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk