DAVE Watts has welcomed news that the government has set up a task force to help mining towns and communities.

The St Helens North MP said the, announcement, made by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, was "Labour's response to the problems that have been left by the last government's coal closure programme."

The task force will look at ways to regenerate ex-mining areas and will also look at ways to cut the level of unemployment left by the coal closure programme.

Dave Watts added: "I am delighted that the new government have, just months after the election, listened to our call for more resources to be directed to communities like St Helens. The last government closed hundreds of mines up and down the country putting thousands of miners out of work. Under Labour, those areas and miners will be given new hope."

The task force will report back to Mr Prescott at the end of March, 1998 and a special conference will then be called to draw up a programme of improvements.

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