Asbestos law to be passed
Plans to give compensation to people in Scotland for past exposure to asbestos is expected to be passed by MSPs in Scotland, this new law would overturn a previous House of Lords ruling which said that claims could not be claimed for pleural plaques and benign scarring of the lungs. The new bill has won cross party support, despite many insurers and health experts claiming that the new bill will turn out to be an expensive mistake.
SNP West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan, whose family members have worked in the shipyards, said: "This decision by the House of Lords has caused a great amount of anger and dismay in the west of Scotland communities where people have been affected by this condition for doing nothing more than earning an honest wage."
Professor Antony Seaton is worried that the new bill may result in confusion as many suffering from the benign scarring do not have the same symptoms as those suffering from the fatel asbestos condition.
Updated on 11/03/2009