Letters to the editor

Public ownership lessons from Aberfan

Sir, - Exactly 50 years after the disaster at Aberfan, it is right that the world, and particularly those familiar with what the old coal-mining communities used to look like, should pay tribute to both the children and adults who perished (October 22).

This is perhaps not a time for politics but it is worth recalling some of the words of the report of the inquiry into what happened.

It was a devastating critique of a publiclyowned industry, the National Coal Board, and the way it operated.

The report mentioned “a terrifying tale of bungling ineptitude by men charged with tasks for which they were totally unfitted”.

It went on to talk about “a failure to heed clear warnings” and “a total lack of direction from above”.

Now it would be wrong to suggest that the NCB did not often operate in difficult circumstances and that it did nothing to improve safety conditions in mines throughout the country.

For most of its life it had to cope with a drop in the demand for coal, and pits simply running out of coal seams.

It did, however, do a number of things which seemed to betray the ideals of those who had long campaigned for public ownership.

Even today, we still hear suggestions that taking industries and services into public hands is the solution to all our problems.

It is a clarion call from the past. Public ownership can only be effective if it is backed up with economic realism, effective management, real community concern and good communication.

That is one of the sad lessons from that awful day on October 21 1966.

Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.

Picture: Press Association. The terrible aftermath of the Aberfan disaster.