CAPE PLC PROPOSED UK ASBESTOS VICTIMS FUND

Early day motion 536, tabled 6 July 2005 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 70 members.

That this House is most concerned about the Cape plc proposals to establish a fund to pay their UK asbestos victims and thereby cap their asbestos liabilities for UK claimants; is further concerned that the scheme does not give an assurance that if the proposed £40 million fund is inadequate it will be topped up to meet the shortfall; believes it may leave victims insufficiently compensated and reliant on state support; therefore calls on Cape plc to publish its actuarial advice and to subject the proposal to independent financial scrutiny; and supports the claimants' solicitors in their appeal to the courts for more information to be made available and for a realistic timetable to be set so that the scheme can be properly evaluated before there is a vote on it.

Signatures by party: Labour 61, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.