Anger over asbestos claim delays

Mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lung

A lawyer representing asbestos victims has accused the Inland Revenue of "shameful behaviour".

Frank Maguire launched the attack over delays in supplying some of his clients with forms to help them pursue claims.

He said the Inland Revenue had promised that such requests would be answered within two weeks.

Frank McGuire: Delays

However, Mr Maguire said the process still takes months.

And he highlighted a recent case where the forms arrived after one of his clients died.

More than 1,800 people have died from asbestos-related illnesses in Scotland.

Mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lung or abdomen. It can cause a great deal of pain, and responds poorly to surgery and therapies.

Clydebank, where thousands once worked in shipyards, has the highest death rate from asbestos poisoning in the UK.

Compensation process

In many cases, the only way claimants can prove that they worked in the shipyards is through national insurance records, now looked after by the Inland Revenue.

Mr McGuire has said that these details are not being provided quickly, despite assurances given to Clydebank MP Tony Worthington in 1995 stating that they could be delivered within two weeks.

He said that by the time people are making claims, they would often have less than a year to live.

However, each case takes two to three years to go through the Scottish courts.

Campaigners have attempted to speed up the compensation process by petitioning the Scottish Parliament.

In October the justice 2 committee agreed that a new fast-track system should be created.

Mr Maguire was among the speakers at a conference in Stirling University highlighting the issue of asbestos.

Asbestos is a major problem for local authorities in Scotland

George Purcell
Cosla vice president

The aims of Thursday's event included helping councils provide sufferers with access to all the support available.

Local authorities also looked at how they can meet new duties to manage asbestos in buildings.

The conference was proposed by a working group set up by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) to examine the issue.

Vice president George Purcell said: "Asbestos is a major problem for local authorities in Scotland, through its impact on the health of our citizens, the legal duties in managing asbestos in our buildings and the additional financial burden placed on councils by stricter asbestos regulations."