IT is not in dispute that the good health of miners at the coal face was put at risk by their working conditions.

A great many have suffered ill-health and premature death as a direct result of their occupation.

Natural justice dictates that those who have suffered, and the families of those who have died, deserve compensation.

Justice should also dictate that their claims for compensation are examined swiftly and fairly.

With around 700,000 claims to be processed, it is inevitable that delays will occur.

We appreciate, therefore, the Government's desire to accelerate procedures to allow claims to be concluded as quickly as possible.

We must insist, however, that acceleration must only ensure that justice is swift. The motive of acceleration must not be to reduce the overall level of compensation payments.

With growing suspicion surrounding the Government's motives, it is incumbent on ministers to reassure former miners and their families that cost-cutting is not on their agenda.

On its front page today, The Northern Echo highlights the scale of the task in processing compensation claims.

And we have drawn attention to the enormous bill the Government is facing in legal fees. We do not raise this issue in any way to criticise solicitors handling the cases. The claims are often detailed and complicated, and it is right that lawyers are properly rewarded for their time, professional skills and expertise.

All we ask is for the Government to treat miners in the same way, by compensating them fairly for the pain and suffering they and their families have had to endure.