McMillan Writes to Prime Minister on Pleural Plaques Issue

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today written to the newly elected Prime Minister David Cameron MP in connection with the issue of pleural plaques.

In his letter, Mr McMillan raises his concerns regarding the lack of action by the previous UK Government to bring forward legislation that would overturn the House of Lords ruling on pleural plaques.

A decision which has been overturned in the Scottish Parliament by MSP's who passed the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill in 2009.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am extremely disappointed by the inaction of the previous UK Government and former Justice Secretary, in particular, for not following the Scottish Parliament's lead and overturning the House of Lords decision not to compensate sufferers of pleural plaques.

"The Scottish Parliament has led by example and ensured that sufferers of pleural plaques will receive compensation which they rightfully deserve.

"Therefore, I am anxious to know what action the new Prime Minister will take to compensate sufferers of pleural plaques in the rest of the UK and, therefore, give them the same opportunity to obtain an element of justice which has been granted in Scotland.

"I hope this newly formed Government will not follow the previous lots example and delay and stall over compensating pleural plaque sufferers and instead offer them the compensation they deserve."

Councillor Kenny MacLaren (SNP – Paisley North West), who is long time campaigner for Pleural Plques sufferers, added;

"I was proud to work alongside Stuart and Clydeside Action on Asbestos in their campaign to overturn the House of Lords decision in Scotland. However, the London Labour Government let everyone down when they sided with the Insurance Companies against ordinary working people – who no fault of their own – contracted asbestos diseases. Hopefully the new UK Government will look again at this issue."

Full text of the letter:

Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

14th May 2010

Dear Prime Minister,

Re: Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Act

Firstly, let me congratulate you and Nick Clegg on your appointments as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

I write to you in connection with the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Act passed in the Scottish Parliament which I was heavily involved with from the outset.

I worked alongside Clydeside Action on Asbestos and Pleural Plaques sufferers to ensure a Bill was brought before the Scottish Parliament. This was subsequently passed by all political parties except the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

As you may be aware, the Act overturned the previous House of Lords ruling which prevented sufferers of asbestos related conditions to receive compensation in Scotland.

Whilst I am naturally delighted by the action taken by the Scottish Government and the will of the Scottish Parliament, including your coalition partners the Liberal Democrats, to pass this legislation, I am extremely disappointed by the inaction of the previous Labour Government and former Justice Secretary, in particular. They did not follow the positive action taken by the Scottish Parliament to overturn the House of Lords decision.

Therefore, now that the election and post election period has been settled, I would be grateful if you can re-examine the House of Lords decision to allow sufferers of pleural plaques throughout the rest of the UK to have the same opportunity to obtain an element of justice by overturning this terrible decision.

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Stuart McMillan MSP

Member of the Scottish Parliament for West of Scotland
(Scottish National Party)