MPs press Brown on pleural plaques

Amid repeated delays and indecision by ministers, Mr Brown finally agreed to meet an MPs' delegation last night to discuss action.

Barnsley Labour MP Mick Clapham led the renewed push to restore the right to compensation for sufferers from pleural plaques, which are a scarring of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Also prominent in the campaign are Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn, Blaydon MP David Anderson, Paisley MP Jim Sheridan and Hendon MP Andrew Dismore.

In addition to tackling Mr Brown personally last night, their names headed a new Commons early day motion signed by over 30 MPs demanding government action to end the injustice caused by a 2007 Law Lords ruling withdrawing the right to compensation.

Hopes have been raised many times since the ruling, only to be dashed by a series of delays and prevarications by ministers.

In this time, many sufferers have developed full-blown mesothelioma, a type of cancer which eventually develops in one in five cases.

Mr Clapham yesterday rebutted claims by some experts that physiological damage must be present before compensation can be paid.

He referred to a submission from leading chest consultant Dr Robin Rudd, who argued that compensation has been paid in cases of external scarring or pricking with a needle which arouses fears of HIV infection.

At his Downing Street press conference yesterday, Mr Brown again expressed concern for sufferers from pleural plaques and mesothelioma or asbestosis.

He added: "We are looking at both the issue of pleural plaques and the issue of compensation for asbestosis."