Letter: The mines: effects of closure on the economy, the environment and individual lives

Sir: In view of the callous way in which the Government is handling the pit closures, it should now be clear why it was unable to accept the social chapter of the Maastricht treaty.

My copy of the treaty informs me that the agreed objectives on social policy include:

the promotion of employment, improved living and working conditions, proper social protection, dialogue between management and labour, the development of human resources with a view to lasting high employment and the combating of social exclusion.

Yours truly,

JAMES D. WARD

Leicester