To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) Officials of his Department have had regarding proposals to limit the small claims court limit to £5,000 for road traffic accident personal injury claims.

[152329]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) Officials of his Department have had regarding proposals to limit the small claims court limit to £5,000 for road traffic accident personal injury claims.

[152329]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when the Government plans to publish the response to its consultation entitled Reducing the Number and Costs of Whiplash Claims.

[152328]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when the Government plans to publish the response to its consultation entitled Reducing the Number and Costs of Whiplash Claims.

[152328]

(2) if he will bring forward proposals to oblige insurers to share data to help reduce the incidents of fraudulent claims;

[149491]

Meg Munn:

(2) if he will bring forward proposals to oblige insurers to share data to help reduce the incidents of fraudulent claims;

[149491]

Meg Munn:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether he plans to make an assessment of the changes being made in April 2013 to the road traffic accident portal before introducing further reforms;

[149442]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether he plans to make an assessment of the changes being made in April 2013 to the road traffic accident portal before introducing further reforms;

[149442]

(2) what steps he has taken to improve usage by insurers of the road traffic accident portal.

[149443]

Meg Munn:

(2) what steps he has taken to improve usage by insurers of the road traffic accident portal.

[149443]

Meg Munn:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) if he will give consideration to requiring medical reports before payment of compensation can be made in personal injury claims;

[149444]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) if he will give consideration to requiring medical reports before payment of compensation can be made in personal injury claims;

[149444]

(3) if he will give consideration to the accreditation of medical agencies and reporting doctors in personal injury cases.

[149826]

Meg Munn:

(3) if he will give consideration to the accreditation of medical agencies and reporting doctors in personal injury cases.

[149826]

Meg Munn:

The claims management industry has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2007, it was estimated that there were 400 claims management companies. There are now more than 3,000. The value of the industry in terms of annual turnover continues to grow and is now estimated to be £774 million, which...

The claims management industry has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2007, it was estimated that there were 400 claims management companies. There are now more than 3,000. The value of the industry in terms of annual turnover continues to grow and is now estimated to be £774 million, which...

Every one of us as elected representatives has had complaints from our constituents on this matter. One of my concerns is that when people who are vulnerable financially receive information about such claims, they think that there is nothing to lose and that they will get the money. Does the...

Every one of us as elected representatives has had complaints from our constituents on this matter. One of my concerns is that when people who are vulnerable financially receive information about such claims, they think that there is nothing to lose and that they will get the money. Does the...

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. A constituent of mine who works for a company told me recently that a member of the public, on the advice of a claims management company, had rung it up and given it the spiel. My constituent said to her, “I’m sorry, but...

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. A constituent of mine who works for a company told me recently that a member of the public, on the advice of a claims management company, had rung it up and given it the spiel. My constituent said to her, “I’m sorry, but...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate on an issue that has concerned our constituents for

some time. Does he agree that it is perhaps time that this became a less risk-free business for claims management companies, particularly in the field of PPI where, frankly, reckless profiteering...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate on an issue that has concerned our constituents for

some time. Does he agree that it is perhaps time that this became a less risk-free business for claims management companies, particularly in the field of PPI where, frankly, reckless profiteering...

The hon. Lady makes an excellent point. We have a situation in which claims management companies can never lose, however vexatious the claims they pursue, while businesses targeted by those companies always lose. She is right: it is time to balance the risk in a different way.

The hon. Lady makes an excellent point. We have a situation in which claims management companies can never lose, however vexatious the claims they pursue, while businesses targeted by those companies always lose. She is right: it is time to balance the risk in a different way.

I am glad that my hon. Friend has initiated this debate. Does he agree that some of the Government’s policies that will mean people are no longer able to access lawyers—the fast-track small claims procedure, for example—will mean that claims management companies are able to expand their businesses? People will...

I am glad that my hon. Friend has initiated this debate. Does he agree that some of the Government’s policies that will mean people are no longer able to access lawyers—the fast-track small claims procedure, for example—will mean that claims management companies are able to expand their businesses? People will...

My hon. Friend draws attention to a very real danger in the current changes.

In his letter to me, Mr Broadbent drew attention to the following unsatisfactory way in which the FOS acted. After downloading the FOS standard PPI claim form, a client completed it. He answered the questions honestly in...

My hon. Friend draws attention to a very real danger in the current changes.

In his letter to me, Mr Broadbent drew attention to the following unsatisfactory way in which the FOS acted. After downloading the FOS standard PPI claim form, a client completed it. He answered the questions honestly in...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin) on securing this debate on claims management companies, which remain topical. Clearly, there are serious conduct problems among a minority of CMCs, but it is worth remembering that some provide a useful service in identifying consumers who have suffered loss and...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin) on securing this debate on claims management companies, which remain topical. Clearly, there are serious conduct problems among a minority of CMCs, but it is worth remembering that some provide a useful service in identifying consumers who have suffered loss and...

I am aware of the changes being made to referral fees, but is the Minister aware of the concern that, because they will be brought within the ambit of the conditional free arrangements, CMCs will be able to use those CFAs as a means simply of replacing referral fees?

I am aware of the changes being made to referral fees, but is the Minister aware of the concern that, because they will be brought within the ambit of the conditional free arrangements, CMCs will be able to use those CFAs as a means simply of replacing referral fees?