ELLINGTON PIT PONIES

That this House, recognising the 300 years of service given to the coal mining industry by ponies taken into coal mines for the whole of their working lives, sometimes extending for more than 25 years, pays tribute to the many thousands of ponies, at one time reaching a maximum of 70,000, who gave loyal and uncomplaining service to coalmining, now ended by the bringing to the surface of the last British Coal-owned pony, Carl, 12 years underground, and his three companions on 24th February 1994, to enjoy a well-earned retirement, who join the 1,100 miners at the colliery who have been forced to lose their jobs because of betrayal of the coal industry by Government and British Coal, and unlike the pit ponies do not look forward to not having the opportunity to go underground in this mine.