British Coal Compensation

House of Lords written question – answered at on 18 June 2007.

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Photo of Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract Labour

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the outcome of the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and the British Coal white finger vibration litigation; and, if so, whether their objective of securing the speedy delivery of fair and just compensation to the retired miners and their widows was achieved.

Photo of Lord Truscott Lord Truscott Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Energy), Department of Trade and Industry, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Trade and Industry) (Energy)

The department continues to strive to secure the speedy delivery of fair and just compensation to miners and their families. Already £3.5 billion has been paid in compensation, which is expected to total approximately £4.3 billion by the time all claims have been settled.

In 2005, an independent review of the schemes was undertaken, the report of which was placed in the Libraries of both Houses and is available on the department's website at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal-health/publications/external-review/page16634.html

The report provides assurance that the administration of the schemes is basically sound, although there are lessons to be learned about how the schemes were initially put into operation.

In addition, the NAO is undertaking a value-for-money review of the coal health compensation schemes; it is expected to report in the summer.

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