There are fears those suffering from pleural plaques could be excluded from compensation under new plans being proposed by the Government, with money instead directed at those with the killer disease mesothelioma.

But Mr Hepburn is maintaining the pressure as part of the asbestos campaign, raising the issue with Harriet Harman, leader of the House of Commons.

The Jarrow MP called for an early debate on the issue, so that MPs could "lay down a marker on any Government proposal that might allow future victims of pleural plaques in Scotland to be compensated by the British taxpayer, when future English victims will get nothing at all".

Ms Harman acknowledged what she called "the strength of feeling on this important matter," adding that the Government is "firmly committed to ensuring that people suffering from asbestos-related diseases receive the help and support that they need."

But under the Government proposals, only those who made claims for the lung scarring condition pleural plaques before a House of Lords' ruling in 2007, which made victims ineligible for compensation, would be able to claim.