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Business of The House

19 March 2009

Q: Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware of the abysmal success rate in tracing employers' insurance liability certificates in cases of asbestos-related disease? This morning, I received a letter pointing out that last year certificates were traced in only 25 per cent. of pre-1972 cases, and that for post-1972 cases the figure was only 38 per cent. There is an alternative: an employers' liability insurance bureau. Will she arrange for a topical debate on the concept of such a bureau?

A: Perhaps there will be an opportunity for my hon. Friend to seek a Westminster Hall debate on that subject. I will bring his comments to the attention of Ministers in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. It is another example of where regulation is important to protect people.