Oral Answers to Questions — Church Commissioners – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 6 December 2004.
Gordon Prentice
Labour, Pendle
2:30,
6 December 2004
How many redundant churches have been converted to other uses in each of the last three years.
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
Thirteen in 2001, 28 in 2002 and 30 in 2003.
Gordon Prentice
Labour, Pendle
These are significant figures. It is always sad when churches close because the congregations go away and disperse, but are there any inappropriate uses to which those redundant churches will not be put? Can my hon. Friend give me some examples?
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
That is a double negative. First, the use of redundant churches must be by another Christian body or for wider community purposes that are generally regarded as most suitable. In terms of the second negative, the commissioners usually impose covenants on the new owner of a redundant church, restricting its use to that approved under statute and prohibiting any unauthorised architectural or structural alterations, demolition and the disturbance of human remains.
Matters concerning the established Church of England are dealt with at Question Time by a parliamentary representative of the church commissioners.
The church commissioner's role is to answer any parliamentary questions relating to the Church of England in the same way that a government minister may face questions about a particular government department.
The Second Church Estates Commissioner is appointed by the crown and is traditionally a backbench member of the party in government. The appointment lasts for the duration of the Parliament.
