To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which company is providing the expert report on miners' coal health claims and private small mines; and if she will set out the timetable for reaching an agreement between the solicitors and the private mine owners. [119490]

The expert report on miners coal health claims and private small mines being produced for the claimants' solicitors is a matter for that party, not the Department of Trade and Industry. It is not possible to stipulate a precise timetable for agreement between the Department, the claimants' solicitors and the small mines; however, negotiations are at an advanced stage and will continue as soon as the expert report is available, which is expected to be in the near future.