HC Deb 12 June 1997 vol 295 cc532-3W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many compensation claims from former service men who suffer from asbestos-related illnesses have been turned down by his Department; [1896]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of former service men suffering from asbestos-related diseases who are not covered by the change in the law in 1987 which gave service personnel the same rights as civilian employees to obtain compensation; [1897]

(3) how many cases of asbestos-related disease in former service personnel have been reported to his Department. [1898]

Dr. John Reid

Unfortunately, we have no means of knowing how many cases of asbestos-related disease in former service personnel have ever been reported to my Department. Nor does my Department hold data which could be used to estimate how many former service personnel may be suffering from such diseases. However, my Department's computer records on claims for compensation show that since 23 October 1986 we have been notified of 100 claims from former service personnel suffering from an asbestos-related illness due to their time in the Armed Forces. All of these claims for compensation had to be repudiated on the basis of Section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 because they related to exposure before May 1987. The repeal of Section 10 in 1987, which first gave members of the Armed Forces the right to claim common law damages from their employer, was not retrospective.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce a scheme to provide compensation for former service personnel and workers at defence installations who are suffering asbestos-related diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos during their employment. [3036]

Dr. Reid

I have asked for advice on the issue of compensation for former service personnel and civilian workers who are suffering from an asbestos-related disease as a result of exposure to asbestos during their employment with my Department; and I will consider what options to provide assistance may be available.