Oral Answers to Questions

John Robertson Excerpts

Thursday 5th July 2012 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab)]

1. What information the Church Commissioners hold on the number of churches sold and subsequently turned into bars or casinos since May 2010.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry)]

None that I am aware of.

[John Robertson]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that extensive answer. I am disappointed that although I have asked this question on many occasions, I am yet to receive a satisfactory answer—which we have again not received. Is it not despicable that a place of worship should be turned into a bar or a casino? Is it not time that the churches looked at that, to ensure that it does not happen and that they are not sold to those kinds of people?

[Sir Tony Baldry]

We are at cross purposes. The answer that I gave to the hon. Gentleman was very clear: I am not aware of any redundant or former churches having been turned into a bar or a casino. If he has details of any such instances, will he please let me have them so that I can investigate?