Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Newton Excerpts

Thursday 17th July 2014 Commons Chamber

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

[Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con)]

5. Whether any grants have been made from the first world war centenary cathedral repairs fund.

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

Some £4.77 million has been allocated so far from the £20 million Government repair fund for cathedrals. So far, 22 cathedrals have benefited—18 Anglican and four Catholic.

[Sarah Newton]

I very much appreciate the grant made to Truro cathedral, and the fund’s recognition of the really important role that cathedrals such as Truro play in local civic and national life. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important to have an ongoing grant-making process to support the vital work of Truro cathedral and, indeed, of cathedrals all over the UK?

[Sir Tony Baldry]

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is very good news that Truro has received money to repair the cathedral turrets, which were damaged during recent storms. I think we all agree that cathedrals, apart from being very important centres of religious worship, are centres for regeneration, civic pride and tourism potential. The maintenance and repair of our cathedrals is of course a national imperative.