Compensation hope for pitmen

Thousands of surface mine workers from across the West Midlands could benefit from millions of pounds in compensation if the Government makes a decision in their favour.

Pitmen from collieries across Staffordshire and the Black Country who worked in coal preparation plants and surface sheds are currently not eligible to seek compensation for damage to their health. In contrast, underground workers who later suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or vibration white finger are eligible for payouts in a £4.1 billion compensation scheme.

This is despite the fact that surface workers often worked longer hours in confined surface sheds cleaning and preparing coal, as well as cleaning machinery – exposing them to coal dust without any preventative measures.

But the situation could be about to change after work and pensions minister James Purnell, who is responsible for miners' compensation, was urged to get on with making a decision by Government colleague Harriet Harman, leader of the House of Commons.

Pressure on the Government has been increasing after the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommended last November that help for lung disease sufferers should be extended to those who worked in filthy coal screening sheds on the surface.

That recommendation could open the way for surface screen workers to claim industrial injuries disablement benefit, as well as compensation from the Government's scheme.

But so far no decision has been made.

Now South Yorkshire MP Michael Clapham has tabled a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to make a decision.

Mick Westwood, from the Cannock Chase Retired Miners and Officials Association, has written to MPs urging them to support the motion.

He said: "At last this is some good news. When this recommendation is implemented it could allow those few remaining and elderly ex-mining employees to claim industrial injuries disablement benefit as well as compensation."