Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Church Commissioners – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 15 October 2009.
David Taylor
Labour, North West Leicestershire
10:30,
15 October 2009
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.
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.
