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MP's call to extend mine payments MP's call to extend mine payments
(10 minutes later)
A former minister has attacked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for refusing to compensate sick workers who worked on the surface of mines.A former minister has attacked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for refusing to compensate sick workers who worked on the surface of mines.
Labour MP for Islwyn Don Touhig told the BBC's Politics Show that the exclusion of surface workers from the compensation scheme was "bonkers".Labour MP for Islwyn Don Touhig told the BBC's Politics Show that the exclusion of surface workers from the compensation scheme was "bonkers".
More than £3bn has been paid out to miners since the scheme began in 1999.More than £3bn has been paid out to miners since the scheme began in 1999.
The DTI said dust levels in surface jobs were too low to cause chronic lung disease except in a very small number.The DTI said dust levels in surface jobs were too low to cause chronic lung disease except in a very small number.
In 1997 and 1998, British Coal was found negligent by the High Court in relation to vibration white finger and respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema suffered by UK miners.In 1997 and 1998, British Coal was found negligent by the High Court in relation to vibration white finger and respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema suffered by UK miners.
I strongly believe that we should compensate these surface workers Don Touhig MPI strongly believe that we should compensate these surface workers Don Touhig MP
The liabilities were passed to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), following the break-up of British Coal in 1999. The liabilities were passed to the DTI following the break-up of British Coal in 1999.
The following year, the DTI accepted liability to compensate surface workers and told Parliament that "men who have only worked on the surface will be able to put in a claim".The following year, the DTI accepted liability to compensate surface workers and told Parliament that "men who have only worked on the surface will be able to put in a claim".
Six years on, the surface workers are yet to receive compensation.Six years on, the surface workers are yet to receive compensation.
The UK Government has now said that it cannot include surface workers in the miners' compensation scheme because it claims medical advice shows that the levels of dust on the surface would only have affected a small number of people.The UK Government has now said that it cannot include surface workers in the miners' compensation scheme because it claims medical advice shows that the levels of dust on the surface would only have affected a small number of people.
'Still suffering''Still suffering'
But former Wales Office minister Mr Touhig said he believes the UK Government has a duty to compensate.But former Wales Office minister Mr Touhig said he believes the UK Government has a duty to compensate.
He said that excluding workers with the same illnesses who had only worked on the surface was "bizarre".He said that excluding workers with the same illnesses who had only worked on the surface was "bizarre".
Don Touhig said surface workers were entitled to paymentsDon Touhig said surface workers were entitled to payments
Mr Touhig added: "If he's had his entire working life on the surface and is still suffering as a result of dust inhalation and so on, he doesn't qualify.Mr Touhig added: "If he's had his entire working life on the surface and is still suffering as a result of dust inhalation and so on, he doesn't qualify.
"Now that is bonkers as far as I'm concerned. I strongly believe that we should compensate these surface workers.""Now that is bonkers as far as I'm concerned. I strongly believe that we should compensate these surface workers."
The DTI said it could not justify a full compensation scheme for surface workers.The DTI said it could not justify a full compensation scheme for surface workers.
A spokesperson said: "The department does not deny that there were dusty conditions on the surface.A spokesperson said: "The department does not deny that there were dusty conditions on the surface.
"But its medical advice is that levels of respirable dust in surface jobs were not sufficient to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease except in the case of a very small number of vulnerable individuals."But its medical advice is that levels of respirable dust in surface jobs were not sufficient to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease except in the case of a very small number of vulnerable individuals.
"In view of this, it cannot justify accepting claims of surface workers on a schemed basis."In view of this, it cannot justify accepting claims of surface workers on a schemed basis.
"However, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease scheme does incorporate those miners who worked for a minimum of five years underground as well as on the surface."However, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease scheme does incorporate those miners who worked for a minimum of five years underground as well as on the surface.
"To date, the department has made over 500,000 payments to former miners, their widows and families, totalling more than £3bn in compensation for respiratory disease and vibration-related injuries.""To date, the department has made over 500,000 payments to former miners, their widows and families, totalling more than £3bn in compensation for respiratory disease and vibration-related injuries."