GWENT solicitors dealing with miners' compensation have been dropped from a government list.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) removed nine Gwent firms after they failed to answer a letter which asked whether they had charged miners or their families for handling compensation claims.

The government pays solicitor fees in successful claims and MPs are concerned some firms may also be charging families.

It is an issue we have highlighted during our long-running Justice for Miners campaign which is battling to speed up the compensation process.

In December 2003 and February 2004 Nigel Griffiths, minister for coal and health claims, wrote to solicitors asking them to say whether they had charged families. The nine Gwent firms failed to clarify if they had made families pay, or if they had given the money back.

It is not clear at this stage whether any of the nine firms have made such charges.

Don Touhig, MP for Islwyn, said: "These firms haven't replied to the letter. People should see the list and think if any of these solicitors have acted for them.

"If anyone has been charged they must ask the solicitor for their money back."

The DTI offered miners compensation for work-related illness such as vibration white finger and respiratory disease. 90,000 claims have been made in Wales.

To help families, the DTI drew up a list of firms that did not make charges. 100 firms have been taken off the list, including the nine from Gwent.

Mr Touhig, who chairs the Welsh monitoring group for miners' compensation, added: "We've been concerned for some time about solicitors who charge families.

"There's no need for them to do so whatsoever as the government pays their fees.

"The money doesn't belong to solicitors, it belongs to the families.

"It's not illegal to charge, but it's immoral. I think it's wholly wrong."

Mr Griffiths asked the Law Society to ensure that their members voluntarily refund any fees taken.

He said they concluded that double charging is "likely to give rise to a finding of inadequate professional service".

The DTI is paying out £2m every working day in compensation and it estimates £7bn will be needed to settle all claims.

GWENT FIRMS TAKEN OFF THE DTI REGISTER:

Evans and Greaves, 5 Piccadilly Square, Caerphilly

Gabb & Co, 32 Monk Street, Abergavenny

Gabb & Co, Old Bank House, Beaufort Street, Crickhowell

Gartside Harding & Davies, Brands House, Corn Street., Newport

Granville-West Chivers & Morgan, Central Chambers, 50/51 Tredegar Street, Risca

Granville-West Chivers & Morgan, 49 Church Street, Abertillery

Jones-Keppe, 57 Beaufort Street, Brynmawr, Gwent

Richards & Lewis, 19 Market Street, Ebbw Vale, Gwent

Roger James, Clements & Partners, 72 Bridge Street, Newport

Thomas & Co, Norwich House, 1-2 Gold Tops, Newport

Alan Curtis, 13 Agincourt Street, Monmouth