IN his letter Will Stanton of Naburn asked who will help us - referring to the proposed mining under Naburn, saying that John Grogan MP prefers a few tons of coal rather than helping villagers (December 16).

I would ask Mr Stanton how he feels about the jobs of miners in the Selby coalfield? John Grogan has worked tirelessly to maintain the mining jobs and give us an alternative to oil and gas. Thousands of miners and their families rely on this work to earn a decent living which some people want to destroy.

Does Mr Stanton want to rely on Middle East oil or Russian gas to supply our energy needs?

I am sure Mr Grogan weighed up the various arguments before supporting mining. I am sure, too, that with adequate defences Naburn will be protected.

Harry Ford,

Leeds Road,

Tadcaster.

...IN response to the article about flooding at Naburn (December 8), residents have picked the wrong man to help them with their concerns. John Grogan recently fought for the Selby miners and eventually secured £70 million to enable them mine to more coal for the power stations.

So when Mr Grogan says there is nothing the Government can do to prevent further mining under homes already at threat from future flooding, there clearly was something that could have been done. RJB would have closed the Selby field down without Government intervention and aid.

The £70 million may have in the short term saved the jobs of 600 miners, but it has also threatened as many homes with imminent future flooding far worse than we have seen so far - at least until substantial defences are in place.

Mr L Bywater,

Belle Vue Terrace,

York.