Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn challenged Mr Brown to meet colleagues who have been campaigning on the issue in the Commons on Wednesday.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, he said: "The Prime Minister will be aware of the disgraceful plight of pleural plaque sufferers in this country, who are being denied their rightful claim to compensation by the courts.

"Does he agree that it does not matter how the issue is dressed up: pleural plaques is a working-class industrial injury caused by negligent exposure to asbestos?

"Will he meet the group of MPs who have been campaigning on the issue, so that we can bring an end to this dreadful, Victorian scandal?"

Pleural plaques, or scarring of the lungs, is caused by exposure to asbestos, which can trigger the killer disease, mesothelioma.

Victims of the condition lost the chance of compensation last October after a unanimous Law Lords' ruling.

Mr Hepburn has supported a parliamentary motion calling for the decision to be overturned.

In response to Mr Hepburn's question, Mr Brown said: "I am grateful to my honourable friend for raising the House of Lords judgement, which now has to be answered.

"Asbestosis and mesothelioma are terrible diseases, and all of us who have seen the effects they cause know that we have to do more to help the victims of those diseases.

"On pleural plaques, we are looking at the matter at this very moment. We will publish a consultation document soon. We are determined to take some action, and I am happy to meet his delegation."

On Monday, Mr Hepburn and Blaydon MP Dave Anderson will launch the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians' postcard campaign to overturn the Law Lords' decision.