Asbestos campaigner says vindication of Rowen questions

Paul Rowen MP

Commenting on the new proposals announced by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton, to provide faster compensation to all people diagnosed with mesothelioma, Save Spodden Valley Coordinator, Jason Addy said: “This rights an injustice and vindicates Paul Rowen’s stance this on in questions to Ministers and Adjournment Debates  (see questions below).

“Reading Paul Rowen’s Parliamentary Questions are testament to his work on this issue. Together with the MP's such as Mick Clapham and John Battle it just goes to show what can be done when parliamentarians from different political parties put their differences aside and join together on important issues of injustice. 

“This could have great significance for Rochdalians because of the number of housewives who, decades ago, washed their husband's clothes in a town where so many worked in the manufacture of asbestos.

“Also, as the SSV campaign has begun to highlight, Rochdale has a hidden history of environmental exposure (hidden for decades because T&N had a policy of settling asbestos cases out of court and insisting on non-disclosure). 

“Those who developed the asbestos cancer mesothelioma as a result of the domestic washing of work clothes were often denied government industrial disease pensions and compensation. It seems the work of a “mere housewife” wasn’t classed as performing an economic benefit even though the unpaid domestic work has sometimes carried a death sentence.  

“Today's promise by DWP Minister John Hutton recognises the past injustice to so many asbestos cancer victims AND importantly put those on notice who are responsible for the lives of future generations to be more vigilant and ensure that exposure to significant amounts of asbestos fibres should not happen. 

“This also means that money recovered by the Treasury from Insurance companies is available to help a wider group of mesothelioma victims-  especially 'bystander' cases identified by the Minister such as those  living close to dusty asbestos factories who often weren't able to get immediate government support at the time they needed it most- when they were terminally ill.

“I have never met an asbestos cancer victim who wouldn’t trade any compensation they receive for getting their health back. Keeping people safe in the future is about prevention not compensation. 

“This news is particularly important for Spodden Valley and Rochdale. Ultimately to end future asbestos deaths there must be a strong commitment to enforce and improve the laws that regulate exposure to asbestos. One lesson that must be learnt from the past 100 years is that people should always be put before profit.”     

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Paul Rowen MP – Questions tabled in the House regarding mesothelioma, IIDB and 1979 Act payments:

Date of Answer: 10.07.2006 Column References: 448 c1109 Member Tabling Question: Rowen, Paul Topic: Mesothelioma Question: I thank the Minister for that answer, and for the commitment that the Secretary of State gave earlier this year to taking such action. Does the Minister plan to extend the compensation, particularly to those people—mainly women—who come into contact with such fibres, perhaps through washing their husband’s clothes at home? Answering Department: Dept for Work and Pensions Member Answering Question: Murphy, Jim Answer: The hon. Gentleman, along with my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham), raised this matter in an Adjournment debate a week or so ago, and I can confirm today what I confirmed in that debate. The industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme is under review and we will publish a discussion document later this year, on which all interested parties, including the hon. Gentleman, can comment. We are looking for additional ways to provide the support that people in this dreadful situation need in order to make their life with that terrible illness at least in some small way more acceptable.

Date of Answer: 11.07.2006 Column References: 448 c1747W Member Tabling Question: Rowen, Paul Topic: Mesothelioma Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether those who suffer from mesothelioma due to exposure to fibres brought home on the clothes of spouses, or other family members, exposed to asbestos at their workplace are eligible to make claims under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) 1979 Act scheme; and if he will make a statement. Answering Department: Dept for Work and Pensions Member Answering Question: Murphy, Jim Answer: [holding answer 10 July 2006]: People who have contracted mesothelioma as a result of fibres brought home by others exposed at the workplace are not eligible for a payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979.

Date of Answer: 20.07.2006 Column References: 449 c632W Member Tabling Question: Rowen, Paul Topic: Mesothelioma Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has any plans to extend (a) industrial injuries disablement benefit and (b) other relevant benefits to those who suffer from mesothelioma due to exposure to fibres brought home on the clothes of spouses, or other family members, exposed to asbestos at their workplace. Answering Department: Dept for Work and Pensions Member Answering Question: Murphy, Jim Answer: [holding answer 10 July 2006]: The Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme makes payments to people who have become disabled as a result of an accident at work or as a result of contracting an industrial disease in the workplace.Spouses or other family members with mesothelioma can claim other state benefits such as incapacity benefit and disability living allowance or attendance allowance and can also seek redress through civil action in the courts.The industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme is under review and we will publish a discussion document later this year, on which all interested parties, can comment. Question Number: 83757 Date Tabled: 04.07.2006 Date for Answer: 10.07.2006