The Justice Committee has given its backing to continued financial support for victims of asbestos exposure, but has questioned Scottish Government figures for funding the compensation.

The Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill proposes that individuals diagnosed with pleural plaques caused by asbestos can claim damages, contrary to a House of Lords decision published in 2007.

However, while backing the bill's continued progression through the Scottish Parliament, the committee warned that the existing Financial Memorandum may not accurately reflect the actual costs the Scottish Government could incur.

"Given that people with pleural plaques have been negligently exposed to asbestos and given that for the last 20 years they have been awarded damages, it is appropriate that damages should continue to be awarded," Conservative MSP and committee convener Bill Aitken said.

"However, the committee is concerned that the figures provided by the Scottish Government in the Financial Memorandum might not accurately reflect the full costs of the bill.

"Equally worrying to the committee is the potential impact on the Scottish budget if UK Government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, pass their liability onto the Scottish Government," he added.

Aitken called for greater scrutiny of the financial terms of the bill before it passes Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament.

SNP committee member Stuart McMillan argued the previous House of Lords ruling to be "outrageous" and welcomed the Scottish Government's support for compensation for victims of asbestos exposure.

"I am also pleased that the SNP Government has acted swiftly to address the injustice faced by pleural plaque sufferers," he said.

"By also extending the legislation to include pleural thickening and asbestosis the SNP Government is ensuring that those affected by these conditions have the right to compensation that we all expect."

The bill is currently at Stage 1, and has a deadline for consideration at this stage of November 6.