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News Release 1st July 2003TESSA JOWELL VISIT TO LICHFIELD HAILED IN CHAMBERYesterday, Monday 30th June, saw Parliamentary Questions to the Department of Culture Media and Sport. It also saw Estelle Morris' return to the front bench for the first time since she resigned as Secretary of State for Education. Michael Fabricant took the opportunity to welcome Estelle back and to publicise the Secretary of State's visit (Tessa Jowell) to see the Lichfield Garrick today. From Hansard:- Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): What plans she has to visit Lichfield to discuss support for theatres in the city. The Minister for the Arts (Estelle Morris): My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State tells me that she will visit Lichfield tomorrow as part of a regional visit to the west midlands. She looks forward to opening the Lichfield Garrick arts centre and the festival that will take place over the summer. Michael Fabricant : May I welcome the right hon. Lady back to the Front Bench? Members on both sides of the House are glad to see her there. Does not my question demonstrate the importance of Question Time? I ask a question about the Secretary of State visiting Lichfield and the Minister responds immediately by saying that the Secretary of State will do so tomorrow. When the Secretary of State visits the Lichfield Garrick, will she look at the theatre's innovative ecological system? All the cooling is generated by natural sources and does not use air conditioning. Is she aware that the system was designed by the chair of the school of architecture at the university of Cambridge? In Lichfield, we lead the way not only in the arts but in technology, and we have a green Conservative district council, too. Estelle Morris: The hon. Gentleman spoilt that at the end, but never mind. I thank him for his generous comments. My right hon. Friend always does what she says; she promised to visit and she is delighted to be able to do so. I shall draw her attention to the ecological cooling system that has been installed, although I bet she would sooner see a performance than an ecological cooling system. However, I am delighted that the building is a good one. The hon. Gentleman makes a serious point, because when we invest capital in places such as theatres and arts centres, we also want to see living architecture and technology. I hope that many people not only from his constituency but also-dare I say?-from my constituency in neighbouring Birmingham will be able to take advantage of the new facilities. |
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