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Programme presented by Tony Francis. In a film report Rob Whitehouse joins a group of miners from Birch Coppice colliery in Warwickshire travelling to London to join other miners lobbying outside parliament in support of the miners strike. We see the men boarding a coach outside Birch Coppice and inside the coach heading to London during which they sang songs and are asked their views about the strike. We then see the Warwickshire NUM members joining the London march and some scenes of pushing and shoving outside Parliament with police officers. During their London visit a group of the men had a chance to ask their MP Francis Maude (Conservative Warwickshire North) about the miners strike. Hughie Clarke, union branch secretary and Maude are both interviewed. Back in the studio Jon Lander rounds up today's events following the end of an important debate on the miners strike in parliament. This item is illustrated with stills of the MPs involved. Next on film Rob Whitehouse reports on a proposal by the Birmingham Trades Council to erect a memorial on the site of the now closed Saltley coke works in Birmingham which was the scene of a major dispute during the 1972 miners strike. In February 1972 striking miners heard rumours that domestic coal from the depot was being channelled to industry. Their blockage was led by Yorkshire NUM member Arthur Scargill and was the first use of flying pickets. We see library pictures from ATV Today showing the blockade at Saltley, Arthur Scargill talking to lorry drivers and being interviewed by Peter Green. We also see new shots of Saltley which has now closed and is derelict. There are interviews with Michael Rice of Birmingham Trades Council; Councillor Dick Knowles, Labour leader of Birmingham City Council; and Councillor Neville Bosworth representing the Conservatives. Next in the studio Reg Harcourt interviews Professor Dennis Kavanagh of Nottingham University who has written a book about the 1983 General Election. Finally on film Debi Davies reports on the campaign for the European elections. In Birmingham we see a Labour rally held outside the library. A socialist theatre group entertain the crowd who also listen to a speech from Glynys Kinnock who is then interviewed. In Hanley, Stoke on Trent we see Kent Kirk, a Danish member of the Euro Conservative group, campaigning and talking to people on the street. He is interviewed. Finally we see an SDP Liberal Alliance meeting in Birmingham where Dick Taverne and Shirley Williams were present. David Penhaligon MP is interviewed for the party.
Production Team: Bruce Grocott; Rob Whitehouse; Debi Davies; Mark Astaire; Polly Rock
Film Editors: Michael Crolla
Graphics: Jim Chalmers
Political Editor: Reg Harcourt
Executive Producer: Terry Johnston
Editor: Mike Warman
Directors: Andy Martin; Rob Harding
Production number 4542/84.