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Heritage

Thank you, Sir John, for guiding the debate through such tempestuous waters. The fact that such an important debate has been interrupted so many times could be a metaphor for the difficulties that heritage faces. I join others in congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford (Mr. Whittingdale) and the members of the Select Committee on their excellent report. As he pointed out, it is the first major report on heritage from a Select Committee for a dozen years. I also pay tribute to the many hon. Members who spoke. The debate reflected the important links of Members of this House with so many vital heritage organisations, such as the Historic Chapels Trust and the Churches Conservation Trust, and with Stonehenge and our maritime heritage. Indeed, we have a resident expert archaeologist, and those with an important understanding of local authorities. I hope that it is not invidious to pick out two important contributions. The first was from my hon. Friend the Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack), who does such crucial work as chairman of the all-party group on arts and heritage. It is worth remembering, particularly for a whippersnapper like me, that he was tabling a Bill to protect our historic churches even before the Minister was born.