§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the churches by name and location that are suffering damage from mining subsidence; what discussions she has had with the Church authorities; and if she will make a statement. [32998]
§ Mr. SproatMy Department does not keep a list of such cases and has had no recent discussions on the subject. Where a building is affected by mining subsidence, the owner can claim compensation from the mine operator. In the case of an Anglican church, such a claim would normally be lodged by the incumbent and the parochial church council. I understand that the Council for the Care of Churches and individual parochial church councils discuss problems with mining operators as and when the need arises.