What recent discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the House of Bishops on the funding of bishoprics.

Following consultation with the House of Bishops last year, a system of global budgets for funding bishops' office and working costs was introduced at the beginning of this year. The revised system will give bishops greater discretion in how the money is spent within agreed guidelines.

It is a shame that Andrew Mackinlay has left the Front Bench, as I was looking forward to hearing some straight talking for a change.

I thank Sir Stuart Bell for his reply to my question. Does he agree that bishops do vital work in local communities, and will he join me in thanking the Bishops of Hereford and of Lichfield, and the two suffragan bishops who work under them, the Bishops of Ludlow and of Shrewsbury? Will he give a commitment to the House and to my constituents in both dioceses that those bishops' funding will be safeguarded and that their valuable work will continue to be recognised?

I recognise the role that bishops play locally, nationally and internationally. It is important that they are properly resourced and it is part of the Church Commissioners' duty to provide that support. In 2006, we spent £24.5 million on bishops' ministries, although we have other beneficiaries and must balance our obligations. The commission recognises the work done by the specific bishops that the hon. Gentleman listed, and the work of all bishops. We congratulate them on the role that they play in their dioceses.