An early day motion is due to be tabled in Parliament tomorrow calling on the Government to publish the findings of its consultation into pleural plaques compensation.
In October 2007 the Law Lords ruled that pleural plaques victims could no longer claim compensation.
The case was brought by the insurance industry which is set to save in excess of £1 billion if the Law Lords ruling is not overturned.
Following a long running campaign by unions, MPs and asbestos campaigners, the Government agreed to consult on whether the Law Lords’ ruling should be overturned and whether compensation should be paid to pleural plaques victims. The consultation closed in early October 2008.
More than 80 MPs, including Labour MPs Terry Rooney (Bradford North), Marsha Singh (Bradford West) and Ann Cryer (Keighley), have signed the motion calling for Justice Minister Jack Straw to announce the outcome of the consultation, which concluded on October 1.
The EDM states: “That this House is increasingly concerned by the delays in announcing the Government’s response to the consultation on pleural plaques and the proposed actions that will deliver justice to pleural plaques sufferers.”
It also states that: “Now is the time to reverse the Law Lords decision of October 2007 that has deprived pleural plaques sufferers of much needed compensation and prior to the Law Lords decision worked in establishing liability at a stage prior to the onset of a fatal asbestos-related disease.”
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