Mesothelioma causes damage to the lungs

It will reverse a recent ruling in the House of Lords that limited the pay-outs to affected workers.

The legislation was unanimously passed by MSPs on Thursday, the last day of the parliamentary term.

It is thought the move will affect more than 1,000 former shipyard workers, many of whom have developed lung cancer as a result of inhaling asbestos dust.

There was outrage earlier this year when the Law Lords ruled that there should be a compensation limit in cases involving several employers, none of whom could be specifically blamed for the onset of the fatal illness.

Bill withdrawn

MPs in the House of Commons are to reverse that ruling in a law expected to be approved before the summer recess.

MSPs at Holyrood altered their business on Thursday to allow the parliament to pass a Sewel motion, giving Westminster the power to bring in the change under Scottish law.