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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when she expects the last compensation payments to be made for eligible estate claims for former miners for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; [146113] (2) when she expects the last compensation payments to be made to (a) former miners and (b) widows of former miners for (i) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (ii) vibration white finger. [146117] Nigel Griffiths: It is very difficult to give such estimates for either scheme. The Vibration White Finger (VWF) scheme has closed but claims can only be processed when all relevant documentation has been received from claimants. Estates claims are being processed alongside live claims where supporting documentation is available, we expect that the greater part of general damages claims will be made offers by the end of 2005. Compensation for services will extend beyond that. The respiratory disease scheme is still open until 31 March 2004 and claims are currently coming in around 8,000 a week, of which around 5,000 are deceased claims (both widows and estates claims). The speed of processing claims will depend, among other things, on how quickly documentation is received from claimants after initial registration. Claims are processed in priority order, as agreed with miners' solicitors and estate claims come behind live individual claims.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

416 c846W;416 c844W; 146113;146117

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Compensation Coal Bronchitis Industrial diseases Emphysema Mining Widowed people Hand arm vibration syndrome Respiratory system

Link

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