Rowen continues to speak up for Mesothelioma sufferers.

Rochdale MP - Paul Rowen has continued to campaign for justice for all victims of Mesothelioma. Paul, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Asbestos has been constantly speaking up to get a fair deal for sufferers in his Constituency of Rochdale. Rochdale was once home to the biggest asbestos factory in the world and the town is affected by this disease more than many across the country.

This week, Paul questioned Jim Murphy MP, the Minister for Work and Pensions regarding compensation for Mesothelioma victims. Paul signed Early Day Motion 2252, which protested against a decision that affected the compensation rights of Mesothelioma victims. This was one of the factors that led to a reversal of the decision, which has been welcomed by Paul. Paul is now campaigning to extend the compensation, particularly to those people, mainly women who came into contact with such asbestos fibres, perhaps through washing their husband's work clothes or from their hair or skin?

Paul said, "This is a dreadful illness and the awful legacy extends to families of workers. The Government have got to recognise that Mesothelioma victims could have come into contact with asbestos in secondary ways such as washing clothes of their partners or in other ways. I feel that these people are also entitled to compensation and I am glad to see that this is being reviewed in the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme review, I await the findings with interest."

Meanwhile, Paul is continuing to push for the best drugs to be available for victims of Mesothelioma. Victim groups were outraged last month when NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) announced that a vital drug in the fight against mesothelioma will be withdrawn. Alimta can extend and improve the quality of mesothelioma sufferers lives.

Paul said, "This was a penny pinching decision and I have written to NICE asking what they recommend as an alternative drug for Mesothelioma sufferers if they think it is not cost effective. If they can't answer this question - are they saying that there should be no treatment at all? The annual number of deaths are going up and are set to peak at around 2500 in 2115. I will also be meeting representatives of Lilly who produce the drug Alimta - they plan to appeal against the NICE's decision and I fully back them."

Ends

For further information please contact Paul Rowen MP on 07976 295 205 or Dave Hennigan (Rochdale Lib Dem Press Office) on 01706 712 186.

Paul Rowen (Rochdale, Liberal Democrat) Link to this | Hansard source

If he will Maje statement on compensation for people with mesothelioma.

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Jim Murphy (Minister of State (Employment and Welfare Reform), Department for Work and Pensions) Link to this | Hansard source

We were disappointed by the House of Lords decision in respect of the Barker case. The Government announced that we will amend the Compensation Bill to restore the position and to offer some comfort to sufferers of mesothelioma.

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Paul Rowen (Rochdale, Liberal Democrat) Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Minister for that answer, and for the commitment that the Secretary of State gave earlier this year to taking such action. Does the Minister plan to extend the compensation, particularly to those people-mainly women-who come into contact with such fibres, perhaps through washing their husband's clothes at home?

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Jim Murphy (Minister of State (Employment and Welfare Reform), Department for Work and Pensions) Link to this | Hansard source

The hon. Gentleman, along with my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham), raised this matter in an Adjournment debate a week or so ago, and I can confirm today what I confirmed in that debate. The industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme is under review and we will publish a discussion document later this year, on which all interested parties, including the hon. Gentleman, can comment. We are looking for additional ways to provide the support that people in this dreadful situation need in order to make their life with that terrible illness at least in some small way more acceptable.

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Chris Bryant (Rhondda, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source

Many of us are delighted that the Government are moving to overturn the decision in the Barker case, but do we not needa swift and simple compensation scheme-unlikethe miners' compensation scheme, which is over-burdensome-for mesothelioma sufferers? Many such sufferers may have only 18 months from the moment when they know that they are ill with the disease to the moment when, sadly, they die. Will the Government move swiftly on this issue?

Jim Murphy (Minister of State (Employment and Welfare Reform), Department for Work and Pensions) Link to this | Hansard source

My hon. Friend takes a close interest in this subject and has done so for some time. He is right to say that the current situation is unacceptable. I understand that the average time taken to process and pay a claim is longer than the post-diagnosis life expectancy of mesothelioma sufferers, which is clearly unacceptable. The Government are working hard with the insurance industry, trade unions and others, and we will make a statement on this matter before the summer recess.