ASBESTOS VICTORY.. BUT FIGHT GOES ON; Research centre pledge.Byline: EMILY COOK THE Daily Mirror won a victory for workers last night with our Asbestos Timebomb campaign. Jack Straw said he wants to set up a national research centre to study asbestos-related illnesses - one of our key demands. But there was disappointment as thousands of victims of pleural Pleural Pleural refers to the pleura or membrane that enfolds the lungs. Mentioned in: Pneumothorax pleural emanating from or pertaining to the pleura. plaques were left waiting to hear if they will get compensation. The Justice Secretary told MPs he wants to make the UK a "global leader" in research and treatment of conditions caused by asbestos. He also said he wants to speed up compensation claims for those who develop serious illnesses such as mesothelioma Mesothelioma Definition Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease that causes malignant cancer cells to form within the lining of the chest, abdomen, or around the heart. Its primary cause is believed to be exposure to asbestos. . But on the key issue of getting cash for people suffering pleural plaques, he said there would be no decision until after summer. Lawyer Adrian Budgen, who represents asbestos victims, said: "We are hugely disappointed the Government has still not come to a decision on pleural plaques. "It is now nearly a year since the Government opened a consultation on the disease and we have been waiting since last December, nearly nine months, for an official response. "It is unfair to keep sufferers of this disease waiting to hear whether they can receive compensation for their condition." Pleural plaques cause scarring of the lungs and are an early sign of lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. linked to asbestos. Thousands of workers, mainly in the construction industry, have been affected and more than 6,000 are awaiting news of compensation. But the disappointment was offset by the news the Government is looking at fresh medical evidence on pleural plaques from the US. Alan Ritchie, of builders' union UCATT, said: "While further delay is frustrating, it is preferable they make a fully informed decision." Mr Straw also said he would look at forming an Employers Liability Insurance Bureau - another key Mirror demand. It would be a fund of last resort for workers who can't trace insurers. TUC TUC (in Britain and South Africa) Trades Union Congress TUC n abbr (BRIT) (= Trades Union Congress) → federación nacional de sindicatos TUC n abbr (Brit) (= chief Brendan Barber Brendan Barber (b. 3 April 1951, Southport, Lancashire) has been the General Secretary of Britain's Trades Union Congress (TUC) since June 2003. He was educated at St Mary's College, Sefton and City University, where he earned a BA Hons in social sciences in 1974. said: "We welcome news the Government is looking to support research into asbestos-related diseases. "The announcement to look at ways of tracing insurers is welcome but the Government needs to set up a system for workers to ensure they still get full compensation." CAPTION(S): ASBESTOS HELL Our campaign |
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