Asbestos Bill laid before the National Assembly for Wales

Published 03/12/2012   |   Last Updated 14/07/2014

Asbestos Bill laid before the National Assembly for Wales

03 December 2012

A Bill aimed at recovering the cost of treatment for asbestos-related diseases will be laid before the National Assembly for Wales on Monday 3 December 2012.

The Recovery of Medical Costs for Asbestos Disease (Wales) Bill, put forward by Member for Pontypridd Mick Antoniw AM, is the second to be introduced by a non-Government Member following a ballot held by the Presiding Officer earlier this year.

The Explanatory Memorandum which accompanies the Bill states:

“The Bill’s aim is to enable the Welsh Ministers to recover from a compensator (being a person by or on behalf of whom a compensation payment is made to or in respect of a victim of asbestos-related disease), certain costs incurred by the NHS in Wales in providing care and treatment to the victim of the asbestos-related disease.”

The Bill will be formally presented by Mr Antoniw during Plenary at the Senedd on Wednesday 5 December before proceeding to Stage One of the legislative process which involves consideration of general principles.

“This Bill recognises the tragic legacy and impact of asbestos disease on many Welsh workers and families and recognises the considerable cost to the NHS in Wales, of treating the disease,” said Mr Antoniw.

“The Bill will enable the Welsh Government to recover the cost of the medical treatment in cases where legal liability for the disease has been established.

“It is intended that the funds recovered will be used to provide additional assistance to asbestos victims and their families.”