Pressure on over pleural pay-outs

THE Government was today coming under renewed pressure to make an announcement over a Lords decision which stripped Oldham sufferers of pleural plaque of compensation.

Last year, insurance firms — facing a potential £1billion payout — won a Law Lords ruling that they were not liable because pleural plaques had no symptoms and was, therefore, not a disease.

Pleural plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Victims suffer some physical symptoms but can also experience severe mental distress. Victims also have a greatly increased risk of developing the incurable lung disease mesothelioma.

Despite a Government consultation ending more than two months ago, the Ministry of Justice last night confirmed there is still no date set for when the Government will respond.

A Commons petition has been signed by 87 MPs criticising the Government for the hold up.

In October, Justice Minister Jack Straw told the Commons that an announcement would be announced within a month.