I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 63, 65, 79 and 110 together.
On 3 February 2000, officials of my Department and of the Chief State Solicitor's office met with representatives of the Incorporated Law Society and of solicitors representing about half the litigants with hearing loss claims outstanding. A further meeting has been arranged. These discussions are, by agreement, confidential but, on a trial basis, a proposal to establish a mechanism to settle claims was made by my Department and a response is now awaited from the solicitors.
The success or otherwise of this interim approach will determine my future actions in regard to the remaining claims. However, the Government has approved in principle the preparation of the heads of a Bill to provide for any statutory compensation scheme which may be required in the light of the outcome of the present proposal.
To date, plaintiffs' legal costs in Army hearing loss litigation amount to £27.8 million. Out of court settlements have been made in 4,271 cases at a cost of £72.15 million while 231 cases were the subject of court awards costing £3.61 million.
In December 1999, 58 new cases were received and 30 new cases received in January 2000. A further 28 new cases were received in the first two weeks of this month.