ROBERT BROWN ASKS JUSTICE MINISTER TO MEET WITH ASBESTOS GROUP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Oct 2007

During First Minister's Questions, Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown today pressed the First Minister for a commitment to legislation to reverse the recent decision of the House of Lords to refuse compensation to people suffering from pleural plaques as a result of exposure to asbestos.

Mr. Brown pointed out that compensation had been available in these situations in practice for over 20 years, and that there were over 200 cases in court which would be dismissed unless new legislation was passed quickly through the Scottish Parliament.

Robert Brown obtained a commitment from the Justice Minister to meet with him and other MSPs together with Clydeside Action on Asbestos which supports and co-ordinates the claims and provides advice to sufferers.

Afterwards, Robert Brown said:

"Exposure to asbestos was a hazard facing not just the workers in industries like shipbuilding and construction, but also their wives and families who washed or were exposed to white asbestos dust from overalls and other clothing when they came home at night. Consequently asbestos-related diseases affected whole communities and sometimes whole families too, particularly across Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

"I have organised a meeting in Parliament along with other MSPs with an interest to brief MSPs and Parliamentary researchers on the background to the court judgement and its implications. I hope the Justice Minister will be able to attend or at the very least to give a commitment to new legislation when he meets with our group.

"It is remarkable in modern Scotland that we should still be seeing such a toll of injury and death from this appalling industrial disease."

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