 Mesothelioma causes damage to the lungs |
A change in the law on asbestos compensation has been rushed through the Scottish Parliament. It will reverse a recent ruling in the House of Lords that limited the pay-outs to affected workers.
The legislation was unanimously passed by MSPs on Thursday, the last day of the parliamentary term.
It is thought the move will affect more than 1,000 former shipyard workers, many of whom have developed lung cancer as a result of inhaling asbestos dust.
There was outrage earlier this year when the Law Lords ruled that there should be a compensation limit in cases involving several employers, none of whom could be specifically blamed for the onset of the fatal illness.
Bill withdrawn
MPs in the House of Commons are to reverse that ruling in a law expected to be approved before the summer recess.
MSPs at Holyrood altered their business on Thursday to allow the parliament to pass a Sewel motion, giving Westminster the power to bring in the change under Scottish law.
Clydebank MSP Des McNulty said he had withdrawn his own compensation bill because the Scottish Executive had promised bring in a further bill later this year which would make it easier for the families of victims who had died to claim compensation.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
