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Unions welcome progress on Pleural Plaques legislation
Unions have welcomed the fact that a Private Members Bill, which is seeking justice for pleural plaques sufferers, has cleared its first Commons hurdle. In October 2007 the Law Lords ruled that pleural plaques should no longer be compensatable. Since then unions have been campaigning to get the Law Lords' decision overturned. The Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill tabled by the Labour MP Andrew Dismore has today (April 24) passed its second reading. The Bill will now proceed to committee stage. While responding to Mr Dismore's Bill, junior Justice Minister, David Hanson, confirmed that the Government was 'looking at legislative redress' on the matter. Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: 'It is good news that the Bill will progress through Parliament. It underlines the strength of feeling there is on this issue. However we should not be relying on a Private Members Bill to resolve such a serious situation.' The Scottish Parliament has already passed legislation to overturn the Law Lords' decision north of the border. However this week the insurance industry launched a judicial review in an attempt to overturn the new Scottish law.
Briefing document (200 words) issued 1 May 2009
