Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Thursday 14th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Ah, yes: Hollobone on hockey.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

10. If she will encourage greater participation in local hockey clubs.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Tracey Crouch)]

Not only do I support the continued investment of Sport England in grassroots hockey via England Hockey, but during the recess I put my own shins at risk, borrowed a stick and did a “back to hockey” session at a local club. While I was absolutely shattered, I loved it more than I ever did when I was at school.

[Mr Hollobone]

Will the Sports Minister join me in congratulating all the hard-working volunteers and talented players at Kettering hockey club on their brand-new astroturf pitches, which are located in the heart of Kettering and generously funded by Bishop Stopford School? The hockey facility is now the best in Northamptonshire.

[Tracey Crouch]

I would be delighted to join my hon. Friend in congratulating Kettering hockey club. A number of hockey clubs across the country are investing in their facilities to attract more people to participate in hockey.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Attorney General]

I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance, and there should never be any question but that where this type of offending is prosecuted successfully and convictions are recorded, people receive the appropriate punishment. In the case I suspect he is referring to, where sentences were handed down recently, a clear signal of that has been given. There were 11 defendants, all members of one family, as he knows, and they received a total of 79 years’ imprisonment. That is appropriate for offending of the type involved in that case—it was truly horrendous behaviour.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Which regional office of the CPS is performing best at prosecuting modern slavery and how might its best practice be rolled out to others?