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28 Nov 2005 : Column 94W—continued
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Medical Reference Panel to decide on the eligibility claims for carpal tunnel syndrome associated with vibration white finger claims where the diagnosis followed the initial medical examination. [30828]
Malcolm Wicks: This issue remains under discussion between the Department and the claimants' solicitors. We are working to resolve this matter in order to avoid the need to refer the issue to the Medical Reference Panel at all.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Compensation)
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims were submitted later than the official cut-off date of 31 March; and what the name of the claim handler and solicitor was in each case. [29482]
Malcolm Wicks: 269 claims were received by the Department's claims handlers, Capita, after the cut-off date of 31 March 2004. These claims are listed by solicitor in the following table.
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Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims handlers and solicitors (a) had been working in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease scheme prior to the announcement of the cut-off date and (b) began offering their services after the announcement of the cut-off date; and how many of each category failed to submit claims by the cut-off date. [29483]
Malcolm Wicks: 516 claimants' representatives firms had submitted claims in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease scheme before the cut-off date was announced; 141 submitted their first claims after the announcement and a further 20 submitted their first claim after the cut-off date.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list (a) the names of solicitors and claims handlers who have represented clients under the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scheme, (b) the number of cases handled by each organisation, (c) the number of complaints against each organisation and (d) the month and year in whicheach organisation began operating within the scheme. [29484]
Malcolm Wicks: 657 claimants' representatives firms have submitted claims under the COPD scheme. A table containing the answers to (a) , (b) and (d) above will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Complaints against solicitors are not a matter for the Department but for the Law Society.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) legal and (b) financial assistance is available to an individual who believes that a solicitor or claims handler under Department's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scheme was negligent in failing to submit a claim before the cut-off date for the scheme. [29485]
Malcolm Wicks: If an individual believes that a solicitor or claims handler under the Department's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scheme was negligent in failing to submit a claim before the cut-off date, then the Law Society should be able to provide names of specialist solicitors who may be able to advise that individual as to whether he or she has a claim in law. It would not be appropriate for the Department to provide legal advice in relation to the conduct of any such potential claims. Alternatively, he or she may also consider seeking independent legal advice from a citizens advice bureau or a local law centre, who would be able to discuss the matter free of charge.
Clear Skies Programme
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations he has received from the micro renewables industry on ensuring continuity of support to community scale projects under his Department's clear skies programme; [27768]
(2) what assessment he has made of the commercial impact of the UK micro renewables sector of the decision to confirm 4 November as the final deadline for community applications to the Clear Skies programme. [27947]
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Malcolm Wicks: We worked closely with industry on the last round of community applications to Clear Skies; they were aware of the final round for seven months. In response to representations from industry we have brought forward £750,000 of the low carbon buildings programme £30 million budget in order to allow further householder applications. We will continue to support community projects when the Low Carbon Buildings programme starts in April 2006, subject to EU state aids clearance.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) schools and (b) other educational institutions received funding under the Clear Skies programme. [30483]
Malcolm Wicks: The information is as follows.
(a) I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, Deptford (JoanRuddock) on 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1342W.
(b) Four other education institutions have received grant funding under Clear Skies.
Coal Freighting
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much coal mined in Scotland was transported by (a) rail and (b) road freight in each of the last five years. [30894]
Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not collect this data.
Departmental Programmes
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when was the final deadline for community applications to the Department's Clear Skies programme; and from which date community applications to the Low Carbon Buildings programme will be accepted. [30482]
Malcolm Wicks: The final deadline for community applications to Clear Skies was 4 November. It is not possible to give an exact date of when applications to the new Low Carbon Buildings programme will be accepted. The programme is due to start April 2006, subject to EU state aids clearance, and it is expected that applications will be accepted shortly after.
Electricity Demand
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the proportion of electricity demand in the United Kingdom in (a) 2006, (b) 2010, (c) 2015 and (d) 2020 that will be met by electricity generated using (i) gas, (ii) coal, (iii) nuclear power and (iv) renewable fuels. [30775]
Malcolm Wicks:
DTIs most recent assessment of the future proportion of electricity demand is contained in the following table.
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| 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 37 | 41 | 47 | 58 |
| Coal | 32 | 26 | 23 | 16 |
| Nuclear | 22 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
| Renewables 4 | 11 | 16 | 15 | |
| Other | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
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