Prescott throws miners a lifeline

JOHN PRESCOTT last night threw a lifeline to threatened coal pits and their communities by announcing a review of plans for more open-cast mining.

It marks a partial victory for the Labour MPs who have been fighting to save pits from closure by their private owners, who are seeking to switch to cheaper production through more open-cast mining, in spite of the disturbance it causes.

The Deputy Prime Minister announced that open-cast coal mining is to be included in the energy review, and it will effectively block the approval of any more open-cast pits until the study is completed.