Written question asked by Stephen O'Brien (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 January 2004. It was answered by Nigel Griffiths (Labour) on Thursday, 15 January 2004 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, whether compensation payments to be made for eligible estate claims for former miners for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger are being processed.

Answer: Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether compensation payments to be made for eligible estate claims for former miners for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger are being processed. [146112] Nigel Griffiths: With regard to respiratory disease, the Department's priority is to settle claims from the eldest and sickest living miners and their widows. Estate claims are a lower priority and are being processed in accordance with the prioritisation process, agreed with the claimants' solicitors. They are processed when there are no higher priority claims to assess. On vibration white finger (VWF) claims, where IRISC have received the necessary medical report and confirmation of the claimant's employment history, families of deceased miners are having their claims processed along with those from living miners.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 416 c846W;416 c844W; 146112
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Compensation Coal Bronchitis Industrial diseases Emphysema Mining Hand arm vibration syndrome Respiratory system
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk