South West MEP pipes up for church organs

12.00.00am GMT Wed 22nd Mar 2006

Graham Watson MEP and a small example of a pipe organ

Graham Watson, the Lib Dem Euro-MP for the South West and Gibraltar, today wrote to the European Commission and Alan Johnson MP at the Department for Trade and Industry about the church organ debacle. He is urging them to work together to find a way to exempt traditional church organs from legislation designed to reduce quantities of harmful substances in circulation, but which could have the effect of silencing church organs throughout the UK. Mr Watson commented:

"In my South West constituency, from Truro in the West to Salisbury in the East and Gloucester in the North there are many beautiful and historic cathedrals which people come from far and wide to visit. Numerous specialist restoration companies and suppliers will be affected by this legislation, as well as the long tradition of church organ music, which is currently under threat. Nothing but lead offers the clarity of sound we all enjoy hearing. I am concerned that unless an exemption is granted for church organs this could lead to many job losses, not to mention silencing a long tradition of pipe organ music not only in the UK, but across Europe."

The consultation period on possible exemptions continues until 15th May 2006. Mr Watson continued:

"I would urge interested parties to write in support to the European Commission and the DTI, asking them to work together to keep our organs playing."