To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many surface workers have had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease health tests paid for by his Department since 1999. (113740)

3,896 surface workers have been examined as part of the Medical Assessment Process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the merits of further interim payments to coal health claimants where claims are not being settled due to action by contractors. (113748)

Where it is possible to assess the Department's share of liability, interim payments have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding has been allocated in anticipation of potential claims (a) from surface workers in the mining industry and (b) for bursitis for each of the next three years. (113774)

No funding has been allocated for such potential claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what checks are carried out on the (a) competence and (b) eligibility of claims handlers to act in lieu of solicitors for industrial disease claims from miners (i) prior to and (ii) since 2006. (113775)

The Union of Democratic Mineworkers' claims handling company, Vendside, handles claims in accordance with a claims handling agreement (CHA) which largely mirrors the CHA for solicitors. Vendside engage solicitors where they decide it is necessary to do so. The Compensation Act 2006 introduced the requirement to be authorised by the Regulator to be able to provide claims management services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Stuart Bell Associates was registered as a solicitor under the compensation for miners claims handling agreement; and by whom. (113776)

Stuart Bell Associates first registered a claim in September 1995. At that time, the Department's claims handlers believed Stuart Bell Associates to be a firm of solicitors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with Venside Ltd. on the release of papers relating to the industrial disease claim of Mr. Stephen Todd of Bassetlaw constituency. (113777)

No such discussions have been held.