Written question asked by Michael Clapham (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 December 2003. It was answered by Nigel Griffiths (Labour) on Monday, 8 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will issue advertisements informing former miners and their families that solicitors handling coalmining health claims receive payment from her Department in accordance with a fee structure agreed by solicitors representing both sides. - (Holding answer 4 December 2003).

Answer: Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will issue advertisements informing former miners and their families that solicitors handling coalmining health claims receive payment from her Department in accordance with a fee structure agreed by solicitors representing both sides. [140940] Nigel Griffiths :[holding answer 4 December 2003]: Yes. The Department has issued two advertisements in the national and regional press about the lung disease cut-off date. These informed claimants that there should be no need for solicitors or other claims handling organisations to charge a fee or deduct any compensation from them and if any claims handling organisations suggests other wise they should seek advice elsewhere. A further advertisement to include this information will be issued in mid December. This advice has also been highlighted in newsletters on the schemes, which are issued regularly, and in update letters to MPs. All coalfield MPs received a note from the claimants' solicitors group on charging issues.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 140940; 415 c260-1W;415 c260W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Complaints Compensation Coal Fees and charges Legal costs Industrial diseases Mining Publicity Solicitors
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk