HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc9-10
7. Mr. Dismore

If he will make a statement concerning compensation for service personnel suffering from asbestos-related illnesses contracted during their service with the armed forces. [20202]

Mr. Spellar

We are sympathetic to concerns that former service personnel suffering from asbestos-related illnesses may be disadvantaged by comparison with civilians, and have asked for advice on a comparison between the compensation arrangements for service personnel and civilians. Although this has taken longer than originally anticipated, the advice should be available shortly. The issues are not straightforward and they involve officials in the Department of Social Security as well as in my Department. If service personnel are shown to be disadvantaged, we will consider options for creating fairer arrangements.

Mr. Dismore

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. As I am sure he knows, my hon. Friends the Members for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) and for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) and I have been campaigning on the issue for some time. Asbestos-related illnesses are severe, wasting and painful, so urgent action is needed. Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that, whatever wider review of war pensions may be taking place, early action will be taken to deal with the apparent injustices suffered by the group of people to whom I have referred, who contracted their illnesses while serving their country?

Mr. Spellar

I thank my hon. Friend and his colleagues for their constructive attitude to and position on the issue. The Minister for the Armed Forces very much regrets that work on the matter has taken rather longer than originally anticipated. As my hon. Friend knows from previous experience, the issues are not straightforward and they involve officials in the DSS as well as in my Department. However, that work is entirely separate from my hon. Friend the Minister's review of compensation arrangements for service personnel more generally. I can give my hon. Friend the assurance that its conclusions will not be delayed by that review.

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