Selby'S 3,500 miners have put the champagne on ice despite predictions from Trade President Margaret Beckett and the town's MP John Grogan that coal has a secure future.

National Union of Mineworkers' leaders in the Selby complex today gave the Government's lifeline deal for coal a cautious welcome.

Unveiling the long-awaited review of the beleaguered industry, Mrs Beckett told MPs that the Government agreed that some reform of the energy market and electricity trading arrangements was needed to correct the bias against coal.

She also announced that the dash-for-gas would be slowed down by stricter scrutiny of planning consents for new gas-fired power stations. There would be a presumption against giving new gas plants the go-ahead.

Mrs Beckett said: "There are indeed serious distortions in the electricity market. As a result, prices are higher than they should have been."

But she ruled out subsidising the industry or ring-fencing a share of the energy market for coal. The Government's aim was to put all fuels on a level playing field, not to give priority to any one.

NUM branch secretary at Wistow Mine and national executive member, Ken Rowley, said: "We won't be cracking open the champagne yet.

"It offers us a level playing field and the chance to compete in the medium term, but we're still worried about the short-term.

"Everything now hinges on whether the power generators are prepared to strike deals with RJB to take sufficient coal to keep all our pits open.

"The proof of the pudding will be after July 1. That's when the current contracts with National Power, PowerGen and Eastern expire. At present, it's jam tomorrow."

Stillingfleet Mine NUM secretary, Steve Kemp, said: "The refreshing thing is the Government has finally admitted that the energy market is rigged against coal, which now gives us a fighting chance."

Selby coalfield's senior chaplain, Dr John Roden, said: "It's very disappointing the Government hasn't given any guarantees of tonnages.

"It isn't the kiss of death but neither is it a cause for any real celebrations. There's no meat in the sandwich, and I don't think miners will be too happy about it."

Selby MP John Grogan said he was delighted there was now a real prospect of a long-term future for the Selby complex.He would be arranging a meeting with RJB chiefs shortly to discuss possible new investment in the Selby pits.

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