SIX years after miners won the right to claim compensation for chest diseases, almost two- thirds in Wales are still waiting for their claims to be settled.

The Argus is fighting for compensation payments to miners, or to their widows, to be speeded up.

In January 1998 miners won test cases in the High Court - paving the way for thousands more to lodge compensation claims for chronic chest diseases. Our campaign was launched in August 1999, attracting widespread support.

So far, 65,869 ex-miners and their families have filed claims in Wales - 24,530 of them receiving final settlements.

But estimates show it could take another four years before every claim is settled.

More than £280 million has already been paid out in Wales, and more than 80 per cent of the priority cases - the oldest or sickest miners and widows - have been paid.

The deadline for claims is March 31, and thousands more claims could be made by that date.

Bleddyn Hancock, area secretary of mining union Nacods, which brought the test cases, said yesterday the government had speeded up claims, but added: "Around 11,000 were settled in Wales last year, and if that rate continues it could take another four years to settle them all.

"I am confident that if we hadn't made such a fuss in the past, then it would have taken twice as long."

Former miner William Harris, 58, from Risca, is still waiting for his compensation - seven years after he first started to claim.

Mr Harris spent 25 years working at North Celynen colliery, in Newbridge, and he is angry about the wait. He said: "Tests have shown that I have chest disease, but I am still waiting. I think it is terrible, having to wait like this. I am disgusted with the length of time just waiting, but I will continue to fight for it."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Trade and Industry said yesterday £18 million had been paid out in Wales in the last three months. "This is quite a high figure - the money is getting through," she said.

She said it was difficult to estimate how long settling all claims would take, as they were still coming in - 13,000 were submitted between September and December in Wales.

Don Touhig, Islwyn MP and under-secretary of state for Wales, said there had been a massive increase in claims being submitted as the deadline approached.

"I have been encouraging people to get their claims in, and there has been a huge upsurge," he said.

Are you an ex-miner, or the family of an ex-miner, still waiting for compensation? If so, ring the Argus newsdesk on 01633 777226.