The Government has once again failed to make a decision on whether to reverse a House of Lords ruling that denied compensation to thousands of pleural plaques sufferers.

Expectations had been raised that a decision would be made before the end of the current Parliamentary session. However the Justice Secretary Jack Straw again made no decision on reversing a ruling by the House of Lords in October 2007 that sufferers of pleural plaques  were not eligible for compensation.

Pleural plaques is the name given to scarring of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.  While this scarring does not usually cause any significant symptoms, the presence of this scarring shows that there has been previous exposure to asbestos. People with pleural plaques may have a slightly increased risk of developing a more serious asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, in the future.

We are hugely disappointed that the Government has still not come to a decision on pleural plaques. It is now nearly one year since the Government opened a consultation on the disease and we have been waiting since last December, nearly nine months, for the official response.

We very much hope that the Government uses the recess to have a long look at the issues involved and we hope they come to a decision soon. It is unfair to keep sufferers of this disease waiting to hear whether they can receive compensation for their condition. Our clients are confused and distressed The Government’s mixed messages are not bringing any piece of mind to pleural plaque sufferers.