Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

My Lords, I thank the Minister for introducing these regulations, which I welcome. Although I do not think that I need to declare an interest, I mention that my father died of mesothelioma a few years ago, albeit before the 2008 scheme was introduced. However, I can attest to the speed and severity with which these lung diseases attack and kill those who have been exposed. I welcome the proposals both to have higher rates for people with mesothelioma and for that payment to go to dependants as well to get rid of the anomaly and extra time pressure that the differentiation created. I am also pleased that statutory payments for pneumoconiosis are being uprated in line with the industrial injuries disablement benefit, which is increasing rather faster than inflation. It is proving to take quite a long time to process payments, and this uprating at least provides some compensation for the delays. When debating, on 5 March, the Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill introduced by the noble Baroness, Lady Quin, my noble friend Lord Henley probed the Minister a little about the establishment of a working group to speed up the payments to sufferers and their dependants. I was hoping that we might be able to hear a little more about that group today. Can the Minister give us some more details?