Robert Brown welcomes Asbestos decision

12.00.00am GMT Fri 30th Nov 2007

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has today welcomed the announcement of a Bill to ensure that those exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with pleural plaques can continue to claim compensation.

Mr. Brown has worked with Clydeside Action on Asbestos in a campaign to press the Scottish Government to commit to reversing a House of Lords judgement which denied compensation to claimants suffering from pleural plaques as a result of exposure to asbestos.

Earlier this month, Mr. Brown hosted and chaired a Briefing Meeting in Parliament to explain the implications of the judgement and to take forward the campaign. The meeting brought campaigners, sufferers, and MSP's together.

Mr. Brown said:

"This announcement is very good news and will restore claimants' rights in Scotland as they were understood for the last 20 years or more.

"The House of Lords' decision was a grave blow to many close-knit local families and communities. Asbestos-related conditions often affect whole families and communities, partly because two of the main industries involved are shipbuilding and construction.

"The decision by the Justice Secretary is what we were looking for and allows the Scottish Parliament to carry through what it was set up to do - pass good and just laws that right injustices in Scotland - and, in this instance, to do it speedily.

"This will be good news for quite a lot of people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang and across Glasgow."