Oral Answers to Questions Debate
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Guy Opperman
Main Page: Guy Opperman (Conservative - Hexham)Department Debates - View all Guy Opperman's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(12 years, 2 months ago)
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Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab)
4. What discussions the Church Commissioners have had with (a) the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and (b) the Secretary of State for the Home Department on metal theft from war memorials situated on Church of England property.
Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)
6. What steps are being taken to protect churches and churchyards against metal theft.
Tony Baldry
The Bishop of London, Anne Sloman, the chair of the cathedral and church buildings division of the Church of England, and myself have had numerous detailed discussions with a number of Ministers on the issue of metal theft from church property.
Guy Opperman
Metal theft is a huge issue that concerns Church leaders across all faiths in Northumbria. Does my hon. Friend agree that the punishments for those who steal from churches and churchyards should be both severe and a proper deterrent?
Tony Baldry
As became clear in our recent debate on metal theft, there is a general desire across the House for the courts seriously to consider deterrent sentences for what is a despicable crime.