To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which coal industry co-contractors have refused to agree settlements for coal health claims. (114788)

No contractors have refused to discuss liability. Negotiations continue with co-contractors and their representatives over the appropriate level of their contribution in some claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for miner’s compensation have been registered by Avalon solicitors in the name of John Mann. (114798)

Four.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal health claims are outstanding because of delays by co-contractors; and how many such cases concern pension loss claims. (114800)

There are around 3,000 respiratory disease claims outstanding in which co-defendants are involved and 465 claims concerning pension loss. Of about 4,500 outstanding VWF general damages claims, nearly 4,000 involve co-defendants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of all papers relating to the industrial disease claim of Mr. Stephen Todd of Bassetlaw constituency. (113778)

It would be inappropriate to place the requested papers in the Library of the House. The claim file is confidential and may contain personal data and material that are subject to Legal Professional Privilege.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the two meetings about the UDM/Vendside agreement between his Department and AMS Law and Moss Solicitors in 1998 and 1999. (114795)

Minutes of those meetings are not readily available. In any case, it is likely to be inappropriate to place the requested papers in the Library of the House. The minutes may be confidential and may contain personal data and material that are subject to Legal Professional Privilege.