To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the total amount of compensation claims in respect of which legal proceedings are complete made against (a) his Department and (b) public bodies for which his Department is responsible in the last 12 months was; and what the nature of each of the 10 highest such claims in each case was. (249099)

One compensation claim was settled at some £71,000 (including costs) in the past 12 months. The claim arose out of a case of a former employee contracting mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Another claim was settled and paid just over 12 months ago for the same condition although the solicitor’s costs at some £16,000 for that claim were paid within the last 12 months.