Whether moneys spent on academies by dioceses are reported to the Church Commissioners.

I know that the hon. Gentleman is a vigorous campaigner on behalf of schools, especially in Southport and Sefton. The Church of England is a welcome partner in academy sponsorship because of its strong commitment to distinctive and inclusive education. There is no requirement for dioceses to report expenditure on schools to the commissioners.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer, but if the Church Commissioners are not collecting information about the considerable sums being spent, who is monitoring that expenditure on behalf of parishioners and the wider Church?

John Prescott.

I am glad to have the Deputy Prime Minister prayed in aid.

There is no requirement for dioceses to report expenditure on schools to the commissioners; the dioceses are accountable and look at their own accountability. The Church of England has already provided several academies, most recently a joint academy with the Roman Catholic Church in a deprived area of Liverpool. That is a symbol of the Church's commitment to providing education for the most disadvantaged in society.