Oral Answers to Questions

John Grogan Excerpts

Thursday 26th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I do not know whether the right hon. Member for Derbyshire Dales (Sir Patrick McLoughlin) has a penchant for energetic hikes through the Derbyshire dales, but if so, I think we would all benefit from photographic evidence thereof.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

Does the Minister share my sense of regret that not one member of the Yorkshire Dales national park authority lives in any of the great towns or cities West Yorkshire? Does she further agree that if there were more urban dwellers on national park authorities, they would be likely to take more notice of the recent report by the Campaign for National Parks urging more public transport from the towns and cities into the parks?

[Dr Coffey]

The national parks tend to reflect a more rural, countryside landscape than an urban environment. There are different ways to identify the conservation areas that are often prevalent across towns and cities, including those in West Yorkshire. I will share the hon. Gentleman’s concerns with the Minister responsible for this portfolio, my hon. Friend Lord Gardiner.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

9. To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions the Church of England has had with the Government and the insurance industry on the theft of metal, stone and decorative objects from churches.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

10. To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions the Church of England has had with the Government and the insurance industry on the theft of metal, stone and decorative objects from churches.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dame Caroline Spelman]

There is no question but that the private Member’s Bill promoted by our dear friend and former Member of this House gave rise to a change in Government legislation on metal theft. However, there are new thefts—not just of metal, but of stone, ornamental artefacts and even, recently, some 12th-century keys. This is why I have joined the revised all-party parliamentary group on metal and stone theft, and I encourage other Members to support its work in Parliament.

[John Grogan]

Will the Church Commissioners urge Ministers to introduce a scrap stone Act along the lines of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which improved councils’ regulation of metal and stopped the trading of scrap metal in cash?

[Dame Caroline Spelman]

Just as with metal, it is very important to mark artefacts with smart water, dye or in other ways where possible, so that thieves may be caught and ultimately prosecuted when artefacts turn up in dealers’ yards. The APPG will be involved in this work and the Church of England will actively support it.