MPs in bid for pay-out over illness

THE Government will today come under pressure to compensate Oldham suffers of pleural plaques in a crucial House of Commons debate.

MPs have been lobbying ministers in Westminster over a court decision which meant insurance firms — facing a potential £1billion pay-out — were not liable because pleural plaques had no symptoms and was, therefore, not a disease.

In fact, the condition — a scarring of the lungs — means its victims are five times more likely to develop mesothelioma, a form of cancer.

The MPs are calling for immediate action ahead of the Commons debate today on compensation for pleural plaque sufferers.

Officials will warn that thousands of workers with pleural plaques have been left in “compensation limbo” following the controversial ruling by the House of Lords last year.

Barnsley West and Penistone MP Michael Clapham, who is leading the call, met Justice Secretary Jack Straw to demand further action is taken.

He said: “Mr Straw is looking very seriously at the issue and he is not in a position to make an announcement yet but we are keeping up the pressure and pressing ahead with what we want.

Announcement

“Overturning the Lords’ decision would be cleaner, but whether that is possible remains to be seen.”

Labour MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire North Jim Sheridan has secured today’s debate.

Mr Straw is set to make an announcement within days on what the Government will do over the controversial judgement.

Between 1981 and 2000, 50 people from Oldham died from the asbestos-related cancer.