Written question asked by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 24 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 February 2000. It was answered by Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 February 2000 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, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, 342 c521W, what has been the average proportion of compensation paid to successful claims on coal miners' compensation for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which relates to general damages for pain suffering and loss of amenity.

Answer: Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2000, Official Report, column 521W, what has been the average proportion of compensation paid to successful claims on coal miners' compensation for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which relates to general damages for pain suffering and loss of amenity. [107175] Mrs. Liddell: Of the 1,047 claims settled to date the vast majority have been on the basis of a claimant electing to accept an expedited payment following screening spirometry rather than proceeding through a full medical assessment. Such payments are not broken down separately into general and special damages. Nine claims have been settled to date where general and special damages have been separately assessed. The average proportion of compensation paid that relate to general damages, in these cases, is 53 per cent.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 343 c606-7W; 107175
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Compensation Coal Bronchitis Industrial diseases Emphysema Mining Pain