PLEURAL PLAQUE POST CARD CAMPAIGN

That this House supports the Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians post card campaign launched outside the Ministry of Justice on 20th February 2008 protesting about the decision of the Law Lords made on 17th October 2007 that `pleural plaques' are not a compensatable medical condition; notes that prior to this judgement compensation had been paid for the last 20 years; is aware that expert medical opinion judges that pleural plaques only develop after prolonged asbestos exposure and that they indicate an increased risk of developing a more serious complication in later life; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to allow compensation for pleural plaques, recognising the condition as a permanent and irreversible structural change to the lining of the lung caused by negligent exposure to asbestos.