McMillan Disappointed with UK Government Response on Pleural Plaques

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Monday) made his anger and disappointment known in regard to a response letter he has received from the Minister of Justice stating that the new UK Government will not be overturning the House of Lords judgement on providing compensation for pleural plaques suffers .

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr McMillan raised 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 had hoped that this new Government would be responsive to the issue of compensation, as the rights of those in the rest of the UK must be consistent with the rights of those with pleural plaques in Scotland.

"The new Government has announced that it will proceed to implement the limited extra – statutory payments for individuals who had commenced their compensation case prior to the House of Lords decision in October 2007. However, this does not go far enough. There is a responsibility to recognise the role that all those exposed to asbestos contributed to the development of the heavy industries, to shipbuilding, construction and manufacturing in the UK.

"This is an issue that is of great importance, and although I am delighted with the action of the Scottish Parliament in passing Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill, the right to pursue compensation should extend to every individual in the UK who has pleural plaques."

Mr Harry McCluskey, Chair of Clydeside Action on Asbestos stated;

"The rights of anyone who develops pleural plaque are of the utmost importance. It is extremely difficult to explain to someone from England why the UK Government will not support them.

"There is much frustration and disbelief amongst those diagnosed south of the Border as they find it very difficult to comprehend that they cannot pursue compensation, but those diagnosed as a result of exposure in Scotland can. I share their frustration
.
"This charity has campaigned for the rights of people with an asbestos related disease for over 25 years. We are extremely proud of our campaign to restore the right to compensation in Scotland. We had hoped that the example and commitment of the Scottish Government would be reproduced in England and Wales.

"We are now urgently calling on Mr Cameron's Government to listen to the experiences of those diagnosed and reconsider introducing legislation to give people the right to pursue compensation, regardless of where they live."