To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (b) vibration white finger and (c) hearing loss claims have been registered by his Department without further particulars of claim subsequently being submitted. (81040)

[holding answer 29 June 2006]: As at 26 June 2006, the Department has 18,203 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims and 1,043 vibration white finger claims with insufficient information to enable them to be progressed. This situation does not arise for hearing loss claims which do not have to be registered in the same way as they are not schemed.