Asbestos campaigners have welcomed the news that MSPs from four
political parties have supported proposals to speed up compensation
payments for disease victims.
Labour MSP Bill Butler put forward a Member's Bill which
shortens the process by not requiring some wrongful death cases to
go to court.
Avoiding a lengthy court case if liability has been admitted
could mean faster payments for the relatives of victims killed by
disease, accidents or workplace incidents.
Joe O'Neill, of the Clydebank Asbestos Group, said: "Too often
protracted legal proceedings place undue strain on families and I
would urge all MSPs to get behind these proposals and ensure that
justice can be accessed as quickly as possible."
Mr Butler said he was "delighted" that a total of 34 MSPs had
backed his bill, which is based on Scottish Law Commission
recommendations from September 2008.
Members of the Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Tory parties
all signalled their agreement with the Damages (Scotland) Bill,
which can move forward and be considered by Holyrood.
The Bill will also take away the need for courtroom debate on
living expenses.