Robert Brown backs fair deal for Asbestos Victims

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Oct 2008

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has welcomed the report of the Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill - which backs the reinstatement of the right for individuals diagnosed with Pleural Plaques to claim compensation. Pleural Plaques is a condition that develops in the lungs through exposure to asbestos. It is symptomless but is a sign that the person has been exposed to asbestos and can cause extreme worry and anxiety because of the fear of developing more serious or terminal asbestos diseases, particularly mesolethioma.

For twenty years victims of negligent exposure to asbestos have been able to claim compensation for the development of pleural plaques. However, in October 2007 the House of Lords ruled against any claims of compensation from such victims. Asbestos campaigners have been arguing for the decision to be overturned by Parliament.

The Damages Bill will reinstate the claim to compensation for pleural plaques. The Parliament's Justice Committee has recommended approval in principle for the Bill but has asked the Scottish Government for a re-examination of the likely financial costs.

Robert Brown has been campaigning for a change in the law on this matter and is now a member of the Justice Committee.

Robert Brown said:

"Asbestos is a highly dangerous substance which has shortened many lives, particularly in industrial areas like much of the West of Scotland. Pleural plaques by themselves are not a danger to health but many people see them as a staging post to something worse. It is entirely right that sufferers should continue to be compensated, and I therefore welcome the recommendation of the Justice Committee that individuals diagnosed with pleural plaques should continue to receive compensation, as they have done for the past twenty years."

"This Bill is an important act of justice for people in the community, those who have developed health conditions because of prolonged exposure to asbestos. I think the Justice Committee report will be widely welcomed and I look forward to the Bill going through Parliament successfully in early course. Many people in areas such as Govan will have been exposed to asbestos in the shipyards and construction work particularly and will welcome the Bill.

Tremendous work has been done by campaign organisations like Clydeside Action on Asbestos to bring these issues to public attention."

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