As you may know, Bevin Boys who worked in the pits instead of serving on the front lines were awarded a commemorative badge last year.
Miners in our area worked alongside Bevin Boys to keep the country running during the war and it is only fair for them to be honoured as well.
All of the men who worked down the mines during the war were absolutely crucial in the war effort and they should all be recognised – not just some. Speaking to former miners in our area it is clear that they feel the efforts of Second World War miners should be recognised.
There were many men who wanted to go to the front lines and serve Queen and country but because they were needed down the pit they were not allowed to serve in that way – nevertheless, serve they did.
The war was won by heroes on the front lines but there were heroes at home as well.
They worked every day to keep the country and the war effort moving.
The secretary of state has agreed to hold a meeting with me about this issue so if anyone, or their relatives, worked in the mines during the Second World War, I would like to hear your experiences.
From a topic close to home to one with a more international aspect is the subject of cluster bombs. I have received a lot of correspondence from people asking me to press the government to ban cluster munitions.
There has been a major international campaign to stop these bombs being used and I am glad to say progress has finally been made.
Cluster bombs, as you may imagine, are made up of many 'bomblets', in some versions there are well over a hundreds of these 'bomblets' and not all explode on impact. What's left behind is a terrifying legacy.
When unexploded cluster munitions come into contact with people the result is often tragic – maiming, loss of limbs and death are common outcome. Sadly, up to 60 per cent of the victims of cluster munitions in South East Asia are children.
The UK spends around £10 million a year on clearing mines and other explosive remains of war, including unexploded cluster munitions but clearing them up is not good enough.
We should not be placing people in that kind of danger in the first place. I am happy that the UK government has played a key role in the cluster bomb debate – this has includes the phasing out of different kinds of cluster weapons and urging other governments to do the same.
I am pleased to report that an agreement has been reached in recent days in Dublin on a new international convention prohibiting the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of all cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. We have accepted this convention – we now need to make sure that other governments do the same.
If you would like to get in touch about any of the issues covered here, please call my office on 01977 722290 or e-mail JTrickett@ jontrickett.org.uk More information about what I am doing can be found at www.jontrickett.org.uk