Leeds MP Makes Plea For “The Campaign that will die out”

John Battle, MP for Leeds West today raised the issue of pleural plaque sufferers in the House of Commons today. Speaking in the adjournment debate on the issue, John Battle, a long standing campaigner for those affected by asbestos in his constituency raised the issue of how corporate gamesmanship had been drawing back the rights of workers.

Speaking in the debate, John Battle’s intervention was applauded by fellow MP Jim Sheridan who said he had spoken with emotion the issue. John Battle raised the issue that for those in his constituency their best bet at seeking justice was to move to Scotland where Pleural Plaques the Law Lords decision is being challenged. John Battle stressed that special funding needed to be established to help those affected and that this wouldn’t “break the bank”. He also went on to raise the issue of time ticking away, he stressed the point that the campaign “would die out” if we did not act soon.

John Battle went onto to say “Perhaps there could be a pot like the fund for pensions. Perhaps there could be a pot that would enable people to be paid now. What is most cynical of all is when companies say what was said to me by a senior insurance company representative, “Well, you do realise that this campaign will die out.” Well, it will, because the people will die. That is unacceptable and that is why it is imperative that we act now and press the Government to do their utmost to give some hope to the victims and their families.”

©John Battle MP 25 January 2008