ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASE IN THE POWER INDUSTRY

Early day motion 439, tabled 28 February 2000 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 89 members.

That this House regrets to learn of the death of Sidney Dalton due to mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos whilst working at the former Blackburn Meadows Power Station; calls for a public inquiry into the high incidence of asbestos-related disease amongst former power industry workers; deplores the conduct of his employers Powergen plc in forcing former employees or their widows to take their cases for compensation to the High Court; and reminds the company that under the Electricity Act 1989 they were required to take over liabilities and not just the assets of the former Electricity Generating Board, and that accordingly they have a duty to compensate former works who have suffered asbestos-related disease.

Signatures by party: Labour 74, Labour/Co-operative 7, Liberal Democrat 7, Plaid Cymru 1.