Oral Answers to Questions — Church Commissioners – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 25 June 2007.
Bob Russell
Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow Minister (Defence)
2:30,
25 June 2007
How much funding the commissioners have given to the Churches Conservation Trust in 2007-08.
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
The commissioners' contribution to the funding of the Churches Conservation Trust in 2007-08 will be £1.286 million.
Bob Russell
Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow Minister (Defence)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer. Does he agree, however, that a considerable additional sum is required if historic churches no longer used for regular worship are to be maintained and remain part of the nation's important heritage?
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for continuing to raise that issue on the Floor of the House and for drawing attention to our heritage. Since 1989, the Government have provided 70 per cent. of the trust budget, and the Church has provided 30 per cent. The overall budget for 2006-09 is £12.6 million, with £8 million from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and £3.8 million as the Church's share. We continue to lobby for more.
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.
