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2 May 2006 : Column 1369W—continued
Hearing Loss Compensation
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of cases where payments by his Department to representatives of successful claimants for noise-induced hearing loss compensation have not been (a) notified and (b) paid to the claimant. [65159]
Malcolm Wicks: The Department, as defendant in hearing loss cases, has no information on dealings between claimants and their representatives.
Home Information Packs
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research the Office of Fair Trading has (a) undertaken and (b) plans to undertake into (i) home information packs and (ii) the electronic provision of property information. [66252]
Mr. Sutcliffe: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Office of Fair Trading, John Fingleton, to reply to the hon. Member.
Late Accounts
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the proposed timetable is for the Department to consult on the civil penalties for companies which file accounts and reports late. [66737]
Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 27 April 2006]: Clause 431 of the Company Law Reform Bill (which is currently being considered in another place) provides for the Secretary of State to make regulations determining
(a) the amount of civil penalties for late filing of accounts and reports with the Registrar of Companies, and
The Department intends to consult on draft regulations under the clause as soon as possible after the Bill receives Royal Assent.
Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies
Mr. Pickles:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has provided to the
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Cambridge University Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies on research into suburban development issues; and what research has been published. [66661]
Barry Gardiner: The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has provided £1.91 million to the Cambridge Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies (the Martin Centre") for research broadly in support of 'suburban development'. This comprises a travel grant for £5,000 in 2002 and a scoping study for £154,000 in 2003, which led to a major programme grant for £1.75 million awarded in 2004. This grant, funded as part of EPSRC's Towards a Sustainable Urban Environment" programme, will support research by a large consortium, led by the Martin Centre, which aims to investigate Sustainability Of Land Use and Transport In Outer Neighbourhoods—SOLUTIONS, by considering how far, and by what means, towns and cities can be planned so that they are socially inclusive, economically efficient and environmentally sustainable.
It is the responsibility of academic researchers to publicise the outcomes of their research through appropriate channels. EPSRC has not yet been provided with publications information on this current project.
Migrant Workers
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will establish a migrant workers helpline for the reporting of (a) poor working conditions and (b) worker intimidation in west Lancashire. [66835]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Legal migrant workers are entitled to the same employment rights as other UK workers. The ACAS Helpline (08457 47 47 47) can provide free, impartial, practical advice to any worker who has concerns about their treatment in the workplace. We have also sought to work with new European member states to provide their workers with bi-lingual leaflets giving guidance aimed at helping workers before they leave home and information on sources of assistance should they have difficulties once in the UK. To date we have prepared leaflets in partnership with Poland and Lithuania.
The Department is currently reviewing the total current provision of Government-funded helplines for workers and employees. We are looking at how well this provision meets customer needs, especially the needs of the most vulnerable, and we will consider options for improvement. The first phase of this review will be completed this summer.
We have also recently launched new web pages at www.direct.gov.uk/employees to provide a central, easy to understand resource for individuals seeking information about their employment rights.
Within the north west, the Transport and General Workers' Union has led the creation of the North West Migrant Workers' Institute that brings together employers, public agencies, voluntary organisations and unions in the north west. The Institute's aims include collating and promoting best practice in the employment of migrant workers, providing a region-wide reference point for support and services for
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migrant workers and their communities, and identifying specific training needs among migrant workers and upskilling opportunities.
Miners' Compensation
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons there is a six month wait for home medical visits by Atos Origin for miners claiming compensation. [65298]
Malcolm Wicks: Generally, around 90 per cent. of home visits are arranged within six months.
Before a home visit is arranged, the Medical, British Coal and Department of Work and Pensions records are obtained. This is generally completed within three months. However delays may occur where record holders do not respond quickly or where records cannot be traced or obtained. Once the records are obtained or there is evidence that they are no longer in existence, contact is made with the claimant to book a visit. In cases where there are no problems obtaining the records or obtaining a GP certificate it would be expected that an appointment would normally be completed within six months of being requested.
Procedures are in place to monitor performance and to ensure requests progress through the record collection and booking process. Claimants with short life expectancy (less than two years) are given priority and this process is monitored for compliance.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for noise induced hearing loss have been submitted to his Department; how many have been paid out; and in how many costs are in dispute. [66746]
Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 27 April 2006]: 38,788 hearing loss claims have been registered of which 29,959 have been settled by payment. It is not possible to state precisely in how many claims costs are disputed though it is in the region of 500.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 50 firms of solicitors which have received the most in fees for cases of claims for (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (b) vibration white finger and (c) noise induced hearing loss. [66747]
Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 27 April 2006]: The 50 solicitors who have received the most in costs for each of the listed claim types are set out in the following tables:
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John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department was first made aware of the contents of the agreement of 10 January 2002 between the Union of Democratic Mineworkers, Clare Walker and Beresfords. [66748]
Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 27 April 2006]: The Department was first made aware of the contents of the agreement referred to above in April 2005.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the first noise induced hearing loss claim from (a) the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and (b) Vendside was (i) registered with his Department and (ii) paid out. [66749]
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Malcolm Wicks: [holding answer 27 April 2006]: The first hearing loss claim from the Union of Democratic Mineworkers was registered on 29 April 1997 and from Vendside on 4 March 2004. The first compensation paid was on 29 July 1999 and 1 November 2005 respectively.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which solicitors have pursued common law claims for (a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in each year since 1999; and how many such claims each pursued in each year. [66750]
Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 27 April 2006]: The solicitors that have pursued common law claim for the above conditions since 1999 are set out in the following tables:
Note:
No VWF common law claims since 2002.
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