House of Commons · Westminster Hall
29 June 2022 · 8 other contributors · 8,897 words
Opened by Owen Thompson SNP Midlothian
Responding minister: Kit Malthouse
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Owen Thompson raised concerns about miners strike 1984-85: uk-wide inquiry in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The MP calls for a public inquiry into the policing of the miners strike to address these issues, aiming for redress and reconciliation. He also advocates for compensation schemes for ex-miners and their families who have suffered financial losses due to unfair dismissal.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The MP is concerned about the real-world consequences faced by miners and their families, including criminal records, lost pensions, and social stigma. He highlights arbitrary sentences, political interference in policing, and financial injustices such as loss of redundancy payments and pension rights. The unfair treatment during the strikes has shaped politics and community relations, with lasting impacts on mining communities.
Mr Cunningham paid tribute to the Orgreave Truth and Justice campaign, speaking of his family heritage in mining. He criticised the Government's decision not to hold an inquiry based on reasons raised by Sasha Swire's book and questioned if seeing support from MSPs for the Scottish review could encourage a UK-wide reconsideration.
Stressed the importance of a UK-wide inquiry into the events at Orgreave during the 1984-85 miners' strike, highlighting her personal connection to the issue through her father who was on strike. She mentioned the aggressive actions taken by South Yorkshire police and argued that these were part of efforts to discredit trade unions and undermine public trust in policing.
Congratulated Owen Thompson for securing the debate and praised Neil Findlay's efforts in campaigning for a miners inquiry in Scotland. Highlighted the importance of the Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill, which seeks to provide pardons and reconciliation for those affected by the strike. Asked the Government to reconsider its position on a UK-wide public inquiry and compensation for former miners.
Ian Lavery declared his interest as one of the 11,000 miners arrested during the strike. He highlighted the difficulties faced by miners who were hard-working but suffered abuse from the police and legal system. Lavery called for an inquiry to investigate actions of the police, courts, and Thatcher Cabinet. He also mentioned the need for compensation and pardons for miners across the UK. Asked Chris Stephens to comment on the disproportionate impact of arrests during the miners strike in Scotland, noting that 10% of the National Coal Board workforce was Scottish but accounted for 30% of those arrested.
Recalled his history with the National Union of Mineworkers and suggested an act of good will by implementing recommendations from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee to improve pension benefits for elderly mineworkers and their widows.
The hon. Member's speech was powerful and shaped his politics due to the events of 1984-85 in Castleford, West Yorkshire. He expressed gratitude towards Margaret Thatcher for shaping his political views and commended efforts for truth and justice for Orgreave.
As a Sheffield MP, she understood the deep impact of the Orgreave incident on miners and their families. She called for an independent inquiry to understand the role of police actions during the strike and how it relates to current issues like the cost of living crisis.
Miners in her constituency once sustained over 30,000 jobs and faced immense challenges during the strike. She highlighted the case of Orgreave, where miners were wrongfully arrested after being victims of police aggression, and questioned why there has been a refusal to investigate these events despite mounting evidence of police misconduct.
Government Response
Kit MalthouseAcknowledged the significance of the miners strike but maintained that an inquiry was unlikely to result in relevant lessons due to significant changes in policing since 1984. Highlighted legislative reforms, improved accountability and transparency measures, and progress in police standards. Stated no plans for a public inquiry into events at Orgreave coking plant.