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Proceeding contribution from Ian Lavery (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 26 October 2010. It occurred during Adjournment debate on Coalfield Communities (Regeneration).


Coalfield Communities (Regeneration)

My hon. Friend is exactly right. That is why we must, at all costs, ensure that there is a commitment to the CRT, and that help gets into the mining communities. We have not, in any way, shape or form, overcome the problems from 25 years ago. Some of the communities are still absolutely devastated by the impact of the closure of the coal industry. The health and crime rates are compounded by the fact that the industry was closed. Overnight, some communities were shut off from the rest of the world. At the Hirst welfare centre, we have a healthy living centre, a gym, an IT suite, a community café, a toy library, a crèche facility, youth activities, photography, salsa dancing and training activities. We also have something that is pretty unique in the mining communities—a class for belly dancing. There are not many miners or miners' wives who have ever been interested in belly dancing and I would love to see some of my Labour colleagues taking up such a class. I have not done it myself yet, but people tell me that it is very good.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
517 c29WH 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
Subjects
Community development Coal Capital investment Brownfield sites Mining Regeneration
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk