Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 March 2010. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what her policy is on compensation awarded to former coal miners diagnosed with work-related physical and mental medical conditions; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Jobcentre Plus administers the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits (IIDB) scheme which provides non-contributory no fault benefits for disablement at work arising from an accident or one of over 70 prescribed diseases known to be a risk of occupation.Miners may qualify for a payment if they have been disabled as a result of an accident or have one of the following diseases which have been specifically prescribed for diseases caused by work in the coal mining industry:"Prescribed Disease D12—chronic bronchitis and emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).""Prescribed Disease A14—osteoarthritis of the knee.""Prescribed Disease B4—ankylostomiasis—exposure to blood sucking parasites and hookworms."Where appropriate, miners commonly claim for the following other diseases under the IIDB scheme, although these also cover other occupations:"Prescribed Disease A6—bursitis (commonly known by miners as 'beat knee').""Prescribed Disease A11—Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, commonly known as vibration white finger.""Prescribed Disease D1—pneumoconiosis.""Prescribed Disease A10-occupational deafness.""Prescribed Disease D5—non-infective dermatitis."There may also be entitlement to Reduced Earnings Allowance if the date of onset of the disease is before 1 October 1990.Miners may also qualify under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979 which makes lump sum payments to sufferers of certain dust related diseases.

Secondary information