Miner makes compensation plea

7:36pm Monday 4th August 2008

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AN EX-MINER from Oakdale has started a petition calling for the government to reverse a Law Lords decision which stops former pit workers suffering pleural plaques claiming compensation.

Brian Prosser, 56, suffers from the condition which causes scarring of the lungs and could develop into asbestosis or mesothelioma, a terminal cancer.

But a Law Lords ruling last October said claims for compensation can't be made for the condition, because, unless it develops, the victim doesn't suffer any symptoms.

As a result of pleural plaques, Mr Prosser, of Beech Grove, now suffers from pleural thickening, where the lining of his lungs has thickened, leaving him short of breath and in pain.

He is now collecting signatures until the beginning of October, when Islwyn MP Don Touhig will present the petition to Parliament.

Mr Prosser said: "I've seen a lot of ex-miners suffering and can't get any compensation, they don't seem to think they're good enough to claim it, which is wrong.

"I hope they put their hands up and say the miners should be getting the compensation."

Mr Prosser worked at the coal face in Brittania, Oakdale and Llanhilleth pits between 1967 and 1981 and in 1993 had to retire from work prematurely due to ill health.

Mr Prosser will be in Asda at Blackwood between 10.30am-2.30pm today and will be distributing petitions to libraries and newsagents throughout the town in the coming weeks.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform was not available to comment.