Construction union UCATT has given a cautious welcome to the
Government’s latest delay in deciding whether to overturn a House of
Lords’ ruling in 2007 that denied sufferers of asbestos-related pleural
plaques the right to compensation.
Justice secretary Jack Straw told the Commons on 21 July that he would be delighted to examine “fresh medical evidence”, which provides new information on physical pain experienced by pleural-plaques sufferers, before publishing a final response after the parliamentary recess.
Alan Ritchie, UCATT general secretary, said: “While a further delay is frustrating, it is preferable that the Government makes a fully informed decision. It is imperative that the Government utilises the latest delay to fully assess the new medical evidence.”
Straw announced the Government was examining the process for tracking and tracing employment and insurance records, as well as looking into the support given to individuals who are unable to trace such records.
