ELLINGTON COLLIERY

Early day motion 734, tabled 21 February 2005 by Denis Murphy (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House calls upon the Government to press UK Coal not to abandon Ellington Colliery; condemns the actions of UK Coal which has deliberately set out to engineer a situation to enable it to close the colliery; notes that every miner at Ellington Colliery, many of whom have in excess of 30 years experience, understands that the water, which is currently flooding the face could be pumped dry within 48 hours enabling coal production to be restarted within 7 to 10 days; calls upon UK Coal to continue pumping and to drain the face to establish once and for all the source of the water; congratulates the workforce at Ellington Colliery who have demonstrated their ability to recover the colliery from previous geological problems; and calls for opportunity to be provided to recommence production and preserve the 340 much needed jobs.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1.