Press Release : For immediate release - Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Tony Blair's pledge to reverse a recent House of Lords ruling on asbestos compensation has been welcomed by asbestos sufferers and their representatives.

The Lords' ruling on May 3rd in the case of Sylvia Barker v Corus cut asbestos compensation for the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, for sufferers who had been exposed to asbestos in more than one job.

Mr Blair said yesterday: "I regret that judgement. I'm looking at the moment to see the best opportunity for us to change it."

Mrs Barker's solicitor, James Thompson, of specialist law firm John Pickering and Partners, supported Mr Blair's comments: "Mrs Barker is very pleased that Mr Blair shares our view that The House of Lords' decision was regrettable and wrong. Mr Blair said that he would be looking to reverse the effect of the decision, and quickly. We sincerely hope that he will take the opportunity to bring forward legislation to do this urgently, as, even now, the many mesothelioma sufferers and their families affected by The House of Lords decision are unable to receive full compensation."

Mr Blair made the comments during a question and answer session at a GMB Union Conference in Blackpool yesterday.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs. Its only known cause is asbestos and it kills 1,900 people a year in the UK.

Mrs Barker was awarded £152,000 in the High Court 3 years ago for the death of her husband, Vernon, from mesothelioma at the age of 57 in 1996. The law lords overturned the award in May this year, ruling that Mr Barker's former employers were only liable to pay partial compensation, because another employer that also exposed Mr Barker to asbestos dust could not be sued. In so ruling, The House of Lords changed the law on compensation for mesothelioma, which previously enabled payment of full compensation even if some responsible employers could not be traced and sued.

During the second reading of the compensation bill in The House of Commons last week, a succession of MPs pressed the government to bring forward amendments to the bill to reverse the effect of the Barker ruling. Bridget Prentice, the Parliamentary under-secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, said during the debate that the government hoped to be in a position to make an announcement shortly. Mr Blair yesterday repeated that an announcement would be made, adding "watch this space".