Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill [HL]

My Lords, the detailed arrangements relating to the operation of the extra-statutory scheme will be announced shortly, so I am not in a position to answer directly the noble Lord’s perfectly valid question. These amendments have a clear theme of seeking to avoid profiteering from pleural plaques. The questions whether there were abuses in the past, what might be done to avoid them in the future if pleural plaques were to become compensatable damage, and whether those approaches are viable are all very interesting issues. The noble Lord showed expert knowledge of the recent report on costs from Lord Justice Jackson. That report raises many interesting questions around this theme which would be relevant in this context. As I think he and the Committee know, the Government are considering the Jackson report as we speak. That is really all I need to say at this stage in the context of the Bill.