YOU very kindly published an article about the closure of the Dilke Maternity Unit and my efforts to designate the maternity unit at Gloucester Royal Hospital as being in the hundred of St. Briavels for mothers whose sons would otherwise qualify to become free miners.
The then MP promised me that he would achieve this in the House of Commons. I wrote to Mark Harper MP in January 2008 and again in January 2009. He told me that no such legislation had been enacted. He wrote '"If I were to come in the top 20 in the ballot for a Private Members Bill, this is one of the subjects I would consider taking up'".
Obviously this is not very hopeful. I was fascinated to read of the clause that a child not born in the Hundred of St. Briavels could qualify as a free miner if he (or she?) worked underground for seven years. Would it be possible to change this to 'a year and a day'" by legislation? Could Mr. Harper MP help in this matter?
I wish Elaine Morman well in her application. – Dr Charlotte Jones.