Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Finally, there is byssinosis. Some 1,989 claims were dealt with by Jobcentre Plus between April 2005 and January 2006, of which 1,774—89 per cent—were successful. It is estimated that in this financial year around £25 million will be paid in compensation under the Act. The death toll from asbestos-related diseases remains extremely disturbing. Research indicates that the number of deaths looks set to rise for the next 15 to 25 years. The majority of compensation claims paid under the Act, around 70 per cent, are for those suffering from mesothelioma. This is an extremely severe form of cancer affecting the lung lining and chest wall which can take up to 60 years or more to develop. My right honourable friend Margaret Hodge in another place, after talking to support groups, said that there would be an investigation into industrial injury schemes. It has been set up to look at disregarding industrial injuries disablement benefit for means-tested benefits; changing the structure of the lump-sum payments made under the 1979 Act; preventing courts reducing the amount of damages awarded to claimants by any amount paid under the 1979 Act; permitting lump-sum payments under the 1979 Act which have been paid into a trust fund to remain there for dependants, thus avoiding it being taken into account for income support purposes; and compulsory recording of historical and current ELCI policies with Companies House, to help asbestos victims in their claims for damages in common law. This gives me the opportunity to repeat the Government’s message that officials have been asked to carry out a review of the current industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme and will look at all related industrial injury schemes. I am sure that noble Lords will agree that the present industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme introduced in 1948 may no longer meet the needs of today. It is anticipated that a discussion document will be published later this year engaging fully with all interested parties. Before the discussion document is published the Government will carefully consider all the comments made during the consultation. While it is necessary to ensure that payment conditions are met, it is also recognised that each case is an individual disaster. Money can never replace a loved one’s life or health, but maintaining the value of the money that people receive through compensation may go a little way towards helping them make life more bearable. I beg to move. Moved, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 [15th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Lord Evans of Temple Guiting.)