THOUSANDS of ex-miners and their families are rushing to apply for industrial disease compensation before next year's deadline.

But Wales Office minister Don Touhig told the Argus that the system was coping well despite a big increase in claims.

Mr Touhig yesterday chaired the Welsh coal health monitoring board in Cardiff to assess the progress of the compensation scheme, which is one of the largest in history.

Last Thursday the Argus reported how hundreds of ailing ex-miners were having problems claiming because they had worked in private mines.

The Argus is fighting for payments to ex-miners and their families, who suffer chest diseases as a result of their years working in pits to be speeded up.

Mr Touhig said: "We are very aware of the issues around miners from private facilities. It can be quite complex and we are currently engaged in discussions to try and make things easier for this group."

Mr Touhig said there had been 9,000 new claims so far this year - 80% from the families of deceased miners.

"We have settled 42% of claims so far and we are settling an average of 240 a week. The advertising campaign has been very successful and as the cut-off date approaches we are getting more claims. We are working to ensure we can handle the increase," he said.

But Alun Davies - miner's union NACOD's assistant general secretary and representative at the meeting - expressed some concern at the speed with which claims were being dealt with.

"In recent months we've had a huge increase in the number of claims but no increase in the speed of settlements," he said.

"At this rate we could have another 20,000 claims before the deadline and we think more staff should be taken on. It was a very constructive meeting this morning but I am concerned over the numbers now claiming."

Mr Davies agreed that advertising had alerted families of miners who had died to the fact they may be eligible.

On the issue of miners who had worked in private mines Mr Davies said: "It has been a challenge to get the level of information needed to assess these miners' claims.

"We are working towards a deal and it is in everyone's interest to reach a fair settlement."