Widening of asbestos compensation opposed

Plans in Scotland to widen the conditions where asbestos compensation may be awarded have been criticised.

Members of the Scottish Parliament propose to allow damages claims for pleural plaques, which are currently disallowed under House of Lords precedent.

This condition is a benign scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure but which is not usually harmful.

Plaques serve as an indicator a sufferer is at risk of developing a more serious asbestos-related cancer from their exposure to the substance.

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers Nick Starling told members of the Scottish parliament the pleural plaques "do not have symptoms associated with them" and are "inert, biologically".

The proposed legislation would allow sufferers to claim damages on the basis of an employee's negligence in the Scottish courts.

According to the Claims Standards Council, the House of Lords decided in 2007 to prevent people claiming compensation as "symptomless victims" of asbestos after 20 years of the practice being permitted.