Mining leaders in Selby have joined the government's call for fair competition among European coal producers.

Energy minister John Battle is to complain to the European Commission over huge subsidies paid to foreign pits which threaten the British coal industry.

He says British mines face closure with the loss of thousands of jobs, while heavily subsidised pits in Germany, France and Spain continue to operate.

RJB Mining operates six pits in the Selby complex, employing 3,500 people. Today, company spokesman Stuart Oliver welcomed the minister's action.

"It is ironic that the cheapest coal production in the whole of Europe is under threat when other countries are supporting their coal industries with vast subsidies. It is a ludicrous situation which needs to be put right," he said.

"British producers are not looking for subsidies. We think the industry should be able to compete fairly with other fuels. Coal in the UK is very competitive, secure and sustainable."

He drew attention to electricity imported from France which, he said, also threatens the coal industry.

"That supply equates to seven million tonnes of coal burn which would be sufficient to virtually save the UK coal industry.

"The Confederation of UK Coal Producers has submitted evidence to show that some of that electricity, which has purported to be nuclear, is generated by coal-fired stations burning heavily subsidised French coal."

The strong pound also made imported coal look attractive, he said.

"Those are the issues which RJB hopes will be addressed by the current Energy Review which is due to report in the summer."Britain has already protested to Brussels over state assistance to the Spanish coal industry which, it says, has prevented British companies entering the local market.

A spokesman for Mr Battle said: "The UK government is anxious that the European Commission reaches an early legal decision on these matters to provide a clear framework for a level playing field."

Mr Battle's plea comes as European finance ministers meet in York this weekend to discuss the single currency and closer co-operation.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.