Written question asked by Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Monday, 1 October 2007.

British Coal Compensation

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their assessment of the recommendation of the Boys Smith report cited by the National Audit Office in its report, Coal Health Compensation Schemes, that if in future an agreement between two parties is set up, similar to those between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and Vendside Limited in the British Coal litigation, designed to regulate the costs payable to third parties, there should be explicit safeguards with a view to binding those parties to the intended arrangements.

Answer: Information has been provided by the UDM, and further information has been sought within proceedings before the court. It would be inappropriate to comment until the issue has been ruled upon.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5144; 694 c198WA
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Deposited Paper HDEP 2007/637
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Monday 3 September and Friday 7 September 2007.
Subjects: Compensation Coal British Coal Corporation Fees and charges Legal costs Industrial diseases Mining Union of Democratic Mineworkers Vendside
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk