Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has welcomed support for those claiming compensation for pleural plaques, an asbestos related condition, but demanded more detail about the financial consequences.

Mr Brown was speaking ahead of a Stage 1 debate in the Scottish Parliament on the Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill The Bill aims to restore the position of those claiming compensation for pleural plaques, prior to the ruling of the House of Lords’ in October 2007.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“Liberal Democrats welcome the Government’s decision to bring forward legislation to overrule the House of Lords’ judgement on this issue.

“We do, however, require urgent clarification about how much this change will cost. Various insurers and others have made different estimates as to the total cost of this new legislation. The Government must address this confusion before the Bill comes back to Parliament.

“People who have contracted pleural plaques and who have great anxiety and worry about their future health should again have the right to justice. This is an issue that can affect construction workers, merchant seamen, shipbuilders, engineers and many others across Scotland.”