Oral Answers to Questions — Church Commissioners – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 15 October 2009.
Mark Pritchard
Conservative, The Wrekin
10:30,
15 October 2009
What representations the Church commissioners have received on the St. Margaret's church, Westminster restoration appeal.
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
Let me say to the hon. Gentleman, without discourtesy, that the answer is none. Let me add, however, that I have visited St. Margaret's and seen what urgent remedial work has to be done. I invite other Members also to visit the church.
Mark Pritchard
Conservative, The Wrekin
As the hon. Gentleman will know, St. Margaret's church dates back to the 11th century and was last refaced in 1725. The sum of £2 million is a significant target. Given that St. Margaret's is the parish church of this House of Commons and often conducts funerals and memorial services for Members, will the hon. Gentleman undertake to hold discussions with the Church commissioners and the chapter of Westminster Abbey to ensure that those funds are raised?
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
The hon. Gentleman is right to reflect on the £2 million that the appeal is intended to raise. He is also right to point out that in 1972 an Act of Parliament required Westminster abbey by law to keep St. Margaret's open for such use as Parliament required. In the usual fashion, however, it did not allow for funding from Parliament. We hope that Members will contribute generously to the appeal, and I repeat that they should visit the church as often as they can.
I will certainly refer the hon. Gentleman's question to the Church commissioners.
David Taylor
Labour, North West Leicestershire
One of the most heavily used paved areas in this crowded and busy city must be the footpath between St. Margaret's and the abbey, and the slabbed area in front of the church. Is it right that the church is having to fund the restoration of those cracked and uneven areas? Should that not be either for Westminster city council or for the national taxpayer? If that is part of the scheme, it is unfair.
Stuart Bell
Second Church Estates Commissioner
My hon. Friend has made a valid point. The church is always on its own when it comes to expenditure; it receives no support whatever from the Government. The Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret Westminster Act 1972 placed the church and churchyard of St. Margaret's once more under the governance of the dean and chapter of Westminster, with one of the canons, Mr. Speaker's chaplain, serving as rector. The question of who is responsible for the upkeep of the footpath seems to have fallen through one of the many interstices that prevent the Government from spending any money at all.
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.
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