National is disputing claims it dragged its feet over the Pike River re-entry.

The Government announced today that they will be going back into the mine, with the intention of starting the process in February next year.

It comes a week before the seventh anniversary of the explosion that killed 29 men.

Some of the family members have long been calling for the bodies to be retrieved, but National Prime Ministers John Key and Bill English decided against doing so.

MP Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking National decided against re-entry because of safety concerns.

"Bill and John both met with the families on several occasions and they were very sensitive to it, but the default setting was we're not going to lose more people."

He says that the party is standing by the advice it received.

Mitchell says National may support a re-entry if the situation has changed.

"If you could do it without risking more life and risking more of our people, then it should be looked at. If they are able to work that out, let's have a look at it."

LISTEN TO THE POLLIES WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE