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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Sir Raymond Powell: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been paid to (a) widows and (b) miners who were in receipt of state benefits for chronic bronchitis and emphysema; how many (i) miners and (ii) widows are entitled to receive these benefits; when the final payments are to be paid; and what arrangements apply to the interest on this money whilst negotiations continue. [42341] Mr. Battle: [holding answer 18 May 1998]: To date, over 200 interim payments of £2,000 have been made to miners in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema (PD.D12). We have recently extended the offer of interim payments to widows whose husbands were in receipt of PD.D12 benefit and, to date, 5 payments have been made. However, the speed at which such offers can continue to be made is reliant on the co-operation of the claimants' solicitors who need to submit evidence of receipt of benefit and confirm acceptance of the offer on behalf of the claimant. The Department has also now extended the offer to all claimants currently in receipt of PD.D12 benefit, estimated to be in excess of 13,000. However, DSS are unable to provide a breakdown between miners and widows, whose husbands would have been receiving PD.D12 benefit. At a hearing on 27 March, plaintiff's solicitors requested a three-month adjournment to allow discussions on settlement arrangements to be progressed. The Court granted the adjournment and these discussions are continuing. We hope that arrangements can be agreed quickly, allowing full and final settlements for valid claims to begin being made as soon as possible. Any interest payable on an award of compensation is usually calculated and paid at the same time as the award, i.e. at final settlement. If an interim payment has been made, then this amount is deducted from the compensation award before the interest is calculated.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

42341; 312 c325-6W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Compensation Coal Bereavement benefits Bronchitis Diseases Industrial diseases Emphysema Mining Social security benefits Widowed people Industrial injuries disablement benefit Respiratory system