[holding answer 11 June 2007]: The following tables show the information requested. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) covers chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Miners Families Miners Families Miners Families COPD claims Claims registered 762 1,123 928 1,710 1,578 1,752 Claimants who have received an interim payment 112 161 135 274 165 240 Total outstanding 124 427 141 653 237 691 Total settlements 638 696 787 1,057 1,341 1,061 VWF claims Claims registered 434 55 446 56 993 96 Claimants who received an interim payment 152 11 187 11 408 29 Total outstanding 32 5 47 5 110 6 Total settlements 402 50 401 51 883 90 Carpal tunnel syndrome claims Claims registered 43 6 34 3 108 3 Claimants who received an interim payment 20 4 15 1 60 2 Total outstanding 4 1 4 — 22 1 Total settlements 39 5 28 3 86 2
Miners Families Miners Families COPD claims Claims registered 592 532 133 135 Claimants who have received an interim payment 37 70 6 10 Total outstanding 79 209 14 52 Total settlements 513 323 119 83 VWF claims Claims registered 340 22 74 7 Claimants who received an interim payment 135 4 30 1 Total outstanding 29 1 11 — Total settlements 311 21 63 7 Carpal tunnel syndrome claims Claims registered 36 3 — — Claimants who received an interim 21 3 — — Total outstanding 9 1 — — Total settlements 27 2 — — Note: The figures include almost 5,000 overseas claims.
The Department is unable to identify those COPD claims which include a pneumoconiosis element. However, under the Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Scheme (CWPS) we have received 83,759 claims, 82,595 of which have been settled by payment, denial or withdrawal.
We have realised that there was an error in the answer given to the parliamentary question tabled on the 6 June 2007, recorded in Hansard on 23 May 2007, Official Report, column 1351W, regarding the figures for pneumoconiosis under CWPS. I have written to you about the error and will place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.