Remember who you are serving

THANK you for giving space to the views expressed by John Benson (“Dreaming of moral duty and fairness”, Glamorgan Gazette, August 19). It is pleasing to know there are many of us ordinary voters who are far from satisfied with those MPs who represent us.

Our father was born in 1906 and at the aged of 14 he became employed in the coal industry, working alongside his father as a trainee collier and, four years later, he was given the responsibility of his own work place.

As a family we always knew that his employment in the industry would have a detrimental effect on his health. In 1946 a medical examination concluded that he had 30% pneumoconiosis and advised he should be employed only in work that was not too heavy and free from dust. Sadly, a further medical in 1964 concluded he had, in addition to the 30% pneumoconiosis, a further 30% chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The firm representing the employers initially accepted these facts but then at a later date they claimed the further 30% had not been contracted through his employment from 1946 to 1964.

Sadly, the judge handling our father’s case and our uncle’s case “struck out” both cases on the grounds that the claims had become too long without reaching an agreement between the two parties. Even more sadly, she had ignored the fact that the instruction to the court meant that when an agreement could not be reached, the judge should side with the family of the deceased miner. Furthermore, the judge had not taken into consideration the loss or destruction of all our father’s and uncle’s medical records and X-rays.

It is time for MPs from all parties to stop speaking of “being in power” and start speaking of “being in the service of the nation”. Likewise judges.

EL Williams Porthcawl