APIL pushes for insurers' bureau after firm collapsesThe Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has renewed its call for a formal employers' insurers' liability bureau - akin to the Motor Insurers Bureau - after an insurer's collapse which threatens compensation pay-outs to thousands of people with terminal work-related disease.

APIL has held two meetings with the liquidators of Chester Street Insurance Holdings (formerly Iron Trades Holdings), which insured a 'huge number' of employers from industries in which the workforce would be exposed to asbestos.

The main problem arises from claims resulting from exposure to asbestos before 1972 - the year the Policyholders Protection Board was set up.

Most asbestos-related diseases can take more than 30 years to show symptoms.APIL president Frances McCarthy said: 'This country needs a formal employers' insurers' liability bureau to act as an insurer of last resort and prevent such an appalling situation from ever happening again.' Neil Rose