Mineworkers' Pension Scheme

That this House recognises the debt of honour it owes mineworkers who sacrificed their health working in dark and dangerous conditions to fuel the industry that created the nation's wealth; believes that in their retirement, miners and their widows deserve financial security; expresses concern that over £8 billion has been removed from the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme by successive governments, money which should have been used to enhance the derisory average pension payment of just £84 a week; acknowledges the benefit of the Government guarantee that underwrites the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme but believes the 50/50 surplus sharing arrangement is too high a cost; and therefore calls on the Government to carry out an immediate review of the surplus-sharing arrangements to give retired miners and their widows a greater share of their pension scheme's profits.