Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Helen Grant

Thursday 15th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

Blue is one of my favourite colours. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”] Fans are the lifeblood of football and it is important that they are engaged with and listened to.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

8. What steps he is taking to increase investment in film, theatre and the arts in the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Helen Grant

Thursday 27th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

Coastal towns are an important part of our tourism economy, and I am pleased to say that the Government have recently announced £10 million of funding for tourism in the north of England. I hope that the resort of Fylde will get involved with the fund, which will bring even more tourists to our fantastic northern coastal towns.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

We do not have any coastline in Huddersfield, but we do have more—[Interruption.] Hang on, guys! We have more listed buildings than most towns, including York and Cambridge. There are 1,500 in the centre of Huddersfield and another 1,500 in greater Huddersfield. We know the value of tourism, and we know that it depends on the cultural life of our communities. However, that cultural life is being swept away by Government cuts, with a cruel Treasury cutting, cutting, cutting. Many of our great exhibitions and festivals are being cut to the bone. What is the Minister going to do about that?

[Mrs Grant]

Our tourism strategy has led to record visitor numbers and record spends and brought £127 billion to the UK economy, so I am not going to take any finger wagging from the hon. Gentleman.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Helen Grant

Thursday 13th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

The role that supporters play is critical, and I am encouraging the football authorities further to develop their relationships with supporter groups. As the hon. Gentleman knows, financial support is made and supporter liaison officers are in place. The offer of secretariat support for the expert group that I have mentioned is also a welcome move, but more needs to be done.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

5. What assessment she has made of the desirability of changes to the funding basis of the BBC.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Helen Grant

Thursday 31st October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

May I push the Minister on the arts as part of the tourism attraction? People come to this great country for our great artistic endeavours, but we have arts in the regions, and is it not about time that, through the Arts Council and other means, the regions got the support they deserve—rather than just, “London, London, London”?

[Mrs Grant]

A total of 70% of funding goes to the regions, which is a very positive story. I have to say that Labour Members did little about this when they had the opportunity to do so.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Helen Grant

Thursday 18th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

The Government recognise that, sadly, trafficking can and does occur in the UK. The inter-departmental ministerial group on human trafficking brings together all parts of the Government and raises awareness of trafficking, which can affect boys and men in addition to women and girls, across the UK. The group also highlights the tailored support available through the Government’s contact with the Salvation Army. The police are also doing a great deal of very good work to tackle trafficking.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

Will the Minister talk to the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee about how women who are terrified of publicity could give evidence to Select Committees in confidence that they will not be named and identified?

[Mrs Grant]

I am very happy to have a conversation about that with the hon. Gentleman and the Chairman of the Select Committee.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Helen Grant

Tuesday 5th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

There is a framework, and we are looking at capacity and quality. I am happy to write to the hon. Gentleman with full details.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

Does the Minister agree, though, that we have far too many people in prison and that when they get to prison not enough is done to turn them into good citizens? Is there not plenty of evidence that effective treatment outside prison, in the community, works? Can we not improve those alternatives, because the probation service is crucial in helping to make them effective?

[Mrs Grant]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good and interesting point. Obviously, who goes to prison is a matter for the independent judiciary. Prison is absolutely the right place for some offenders, but I agree that for other offenders credible punitive community sentences can be a more appropriate disposal.