'Clydebank has unfortunate legacy of asbestos-related illness'

Constituents may recall that, at the end of June, I always hold an annual Action Mesothelioma Day debate in the Scottish Parliament.

I was grateful to have secured another debate on 19 June, for the fourth year in a row, to raise awareness of this asbestos-related disease.

It was wonderful to have members of Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG) and Asbestos Action in the gallery for the debate.

Both groups have been assisting asbestos victims for over 20-30 years and have campaigned tirelessly for truth and justice.

The Clydebank Asbestos Group – with whom I am grateful to have a close working relationship – are always there for my constituents in their time of greatest need.

I am so grateful to have them within our constituency and will be forever thankful for the work they do.

Clydebank has an unfortunate legacy of asbestos-related illness, so as the local MSP it is my duty to raise awareness of mesothelioma, to call for more research, and to push for the removal of asbestos from the built environment.

This year, Action Mesothelioma Day will be on 4 July 2025 and I look forward to another successful day of raising awareness and funds to support greater research into tackling mesothelioma.

During my speech, I spoke about the wonderful Kate Ferrier – volunteer for Clydebank Asbestos Group – who sadly passed away on 31 December 2024.

Her passing is a huge loss, and she will be incredibly missed by so many.

It is clear that much more needs to be done to achieve truth and justice for victims, and a key part of that effort is the Cape Must Pay campaign, which CAG are a huge part of.

After a lengthy court battle, documents were obtained proving that Cape Intermediate Holdings – one of the largest asbestos companies in the world – hid the true dangers of its asbestos products in the 1960s and 1970s.

Many died as a result.

Never has there been a stronger example of greed for private profit being put before the safety of workers.

Altrad, the company’s owners, have a moral obligation to right some of this wrong, and donating to research would be a good start.

I will continue to work with CAG in calling for Cape to right this wrong.

In my speech last year, I highlighted the disgraceful three-year time bar which has denied justice for those who receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

This time-bar means that if a person is diagnosed with pleural plaques, a usually asymptomatic condition, they have three years to raise a claim for damages, even if they later develop mesothelioma.

This is an appalling injustice, so it was welcome to note during my speech, that the Scottish Law Commission have now published their report on the issue which recommends solutions.

I will continue to work with the Scottish Government and stakeholders to push for these recommendations to be implemented.

The time for truth and justice is now.

Marie McNair MSP with Clydebank Asbestos Group at Scottish Parliament