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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department paid to lawyers for their work in contesting the coal miners chronic obstructive pulmonary disease case (a) up to and (b) since the date of the appeal court judgment in the matter in respect of work dealing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger. [202840] Nigel Griffiths :[holding answer 8 December 2004]: The Department of Trade and Industry assumed liability for British Coal Corporation health claims from 20 December 1997. Prior to that date British Coal Corporation was responsible for its own legal costs. There have been a number of judgment dates in relation to the coal health litigations and the Department is not therefore able to provide a breakdown of pre and post appeal court judgment. With regard to costs paid to the claimants solicitors group, the Department is required to negotiate their generic costs on an ongoing basis and to date the sum of £7.8 million (including VAT and disbursements) has been paid for the period December 1997 to April 2002. This does not include trial costs.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

202840; 428 c705-6W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Compensation Coal Fees and charges Industrial diseases Mining Solicitors Claimants Solicitors Group

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk