Eric Clarke said he wanted to make it easier for miners and their families to claim compensation for diseases related to their work such as bronchitis and emphysema.

Eric Clarke wants to help his former colleagues

Midlothian MP Mr Clarke, 65, was a miner for 26 years and general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers in Scotland for 12 years.

A Private Member's ballot is held at the start of each new parliamentary session.

Fellow Labour MPs Debra Shipley (Stourbridge) and Maria Eagle (Liverpool Garston), who were above Mr Clarke in the ballot, have not yet indicated what kind of legislation they would like to bring forward.

Easier claim

Mr Clarke said: "I want to see what I can do for the plight of the British miner because that's my background.

"I'm always acting in the interests of the miners' welfare and their families. I got into Parliament to change some of the laws. I'm a mining MP.

"I want to see what I can do for miners with bronchitis, emphysema, white finger and any other diseases affecting them or workers similar to them, to get recognised schemes for them and to make it easier for them to claim."

He said he would consult before coming forward with the exact terms of his bill.

Traditionally, MPs who fare well in the ballot but have no strong views on what sort of legislation to bring in, may consult the whips and offer to pilot through a useful measure for which the government has no time in its legislative programme.

If it is not controversial, a bill from a highly placed MP stands a good chance of being passed.