Rowen speaks out for Rochdale asbestos victims

Paul Rowen MP spoke out on behalf of the hundreds of Rochdale people who have already or will in the future develop a lung condition from their work with asbestos.

The debate was on 'pleural plaques', which are small, localised areas of fibrosis caused by exposure to asbestos. They have been linked with a slightly increased risk of getting more serious asbestos-related diseases.

Mr Rowen said: "It is a disgrace that people are no longer able to claim damages for pleural plaques caused by negligent employers. This is all because of a recent decision by the Law Lords.

"I had hoped that the Government would be more sympathetic about people who are suffering from this industrial disease. There is a current Bill going through Parliament that will help greatly those with the more serious disease, mesothelioma, and I think this would be the perfect opportunity to make new and fair legislation on pleural plaques. I served on the Bill committee for the Liberal Democrats on this matter, and suggested it to the Government, but so far they will not move.

"Nothing the Secretary of State said yesterday suggested to me that they are reconsidering their position. However, there is still time for the Government to change their mind and make sure that the hundreds of people in Rochdale diagnosed with pleural plaques, and the thousands more across the country, get a fair deal. I will continue to argue for this in the House of Commons."

Mr Rowen's speech was as follows:

Paul Rowen (Rochdale) (LD): I appreciate that many hon. Members want to speak today, so I will be brief. I congratulate the Hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire, North (Jim Sheridan) on initiating the debate? As he has said, many Hon. Members share his concern about the Law Lords' decision. I believe that a very simple point needs to be made. Compensation for pleural plaques has been paid for nearly 30 years. The disease has been acknowledged as an industrial injury and many people have received compensation. Although the sums of money have been small, they are a just recognition of the fact that pleural plaques is an industrial disease.

The world's largest asbestos factory was based in the town that I represent. Rochdale's Turner Brothers manufactured the stuff and then exported it to different industries, which many Hon. Members here represent. Hundreds of people in Rochdale have been diagnosed with pleural plaques, and they are now extremely concerned at the effects of the Law Lords' decision.

Clearly, as the Hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire, North said, the Government should do something. Last year, when the issue of mesothelioma payments arose, they acted very speedily. In the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill, which is now being considered in the Lords, a mechanism was found to ensure that compensation was paid speedily. I put it to the Minister that she should consider allowing amendments to that Bill to be tabled in the Lords to restore a right that has existed previously.

We are not talking about something that has not happened before. It has been an established practice - developed by case law - to recognise that pleural plaques is a disease or an injury caused by exposure to asbestos and therefore that compensation should be paid. I hope that the Minister will listen to what Hon. Members have to say and that she will introduce positive proposals to restore that right.