South African Asbestos Victims

EDM number 45 in 2002-03, proposed by Kevin McNamara on 13/11/2002.

That this House recalls the ú21 million settlement of the protracted legal action by 7,500 South African victims against British multinational company, Cape Plc; recognises that the victims are predominantly impoverished black former mineworkers who worked and lived at Cape's mines in the Northern Cape and Limpopo provinces under the apartheid regime where asbestos levels were dangerous and where the workers, many of whom were young children, who worked and lived in unprotected, dangerous conditions; notes that during the course of the litigation, and since, hundreds of the victims died; acknowledges the efforts that have been made by the South African Government, the victims' lawyers and prospective trustees, all of whom have given their time free of charge to implement the settlement; is dismayed that Cape has so far, failed to honour its obligation under the agreement, and, in particular has reneged on its commitment to pay the first ú11 million by June of this year; calls on Cape to accept responsibility for its past atrocities and settle the case without further delay; and urges Cape's shareholders, particularly Montpellier Ltd M and G Investment Management, Fidelity Investment International and Rutland Trust Plc, Cape's directors and bankers, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland now to recognise their moral and social duty to facilitate the earliest achievement of justice for these workers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 61 MPs.