Energy Minister admitted previous slow progress

Thousands of miners applied for compensation after developing Vibration White Finger as a result of operating or driving vibrating heavy machinery.

The condition, related to Raynaud's Disease, causes fingers to go white and lose feeling, permanently in the worst cases.

Many more miners are seriously ill with lung diseases such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis as a result of their work.

Victims and relatives have complained bitterly at the slow pace of compensation settlements.

Mr Hain promised to look at the issue of how evidence was given but said doctors preferred to see patients in person and felt they could give a better deal as a result.

Blame accepted

He admitted there had been many problems with the compensation process and said the government had to accept its share of the blame.

Pressed to find ways to speed up the system still further, he said he was meeting solicitors representing claimants to try to persuade them that the oldest and most ill miners must be put at the front of the queue.

One thing that needed to be done as a matter of urgency was to provide test centres where there were needed, said Labour's David Taylor, MP for Leicestershire northwest.

Those nearest to many former miners in his constituency were "about as accessible as the dark side of the moon", he said.

Mr Hain said he would look at the issue again but noted that there were home visit services available and consideration was being given to transport for older victims.