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CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
The hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked--
Historic Buildings
30. Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): What funding he has received from English Heritage in 1998 for the upkeep of the Church's historic buildings. [98996]
Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners): In 1998-99, £12 million was made available through English Heritage towards repairs to churches of all denominations and religions--Christian and non-Christian churches, historic places of worship in regular use and grade 1 or 2 listed buildings.
Sir Sydney Chapman: Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that £12 million is significantly less than the Treasury grabs in value added tax on church repairs and renovations? If, as I suspect, that is so, has not the quite ridiculous system of the Treasury giving with one hand and grabbing back with both hands gone on for too many years? I lend my support to the hon. Gentleman and his commissioners in their campaign for the vexed issue of VAT on church repairs to be looked into.
Mr. Bell: As I reminded the House during my Adjournment debate on 17 November, the total available funding for 1999-2000 of £10 million from English Heritage and £10 million from the heritage lottery fund falls far short of the total bill for major repairs which, for the Church of England alone in 1998, amounted to £123 million. Of that, £18 million was paid in VAT. So, the hon. Gentleman makes a perfectly valid point; the Treasury has taken with one hand what it has given with the other.
Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley): Will my hon. Friend assure me that churches that receive restoration grants as part of our heritage are brought back into community as well as religious use, as was intended when they were built? Will he also assure me that facilities and access for disabled people are considered when grants are made?
Mr. Bell: English Heritage money is limited to urgent, high-level structural repairs and repairs to historic fabric at risk of imminent loss of grade 1 and 2 churches. Heritage lottery fund money is available for similar work to grade 2 churches and non-structural repairs of any grade, provided that they lie within certain prescribed
local authority areas. I am very glad to take up my hon. Friend's point about disabled access and facilities, and will ensure that it is heard.JC 2000
31. Mr. Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid-Kent): What representations the commissioners have received concerning any proposed investment in JC 2000; and if he will make a statement. [98997]
Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners): I am happy to associate myself with JC 2000. As a member of its committee, I must state how pleased I am that 18,000 schools have registered to be part of the millennium arts festival for schools. It is very important that schools help pupils understand the true meaning behind the millennium. JC 2000 has gained support from the Department for Education and Employment, Church leaders and representatives of other faiths. I should add that, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, I have received several representations.
Mr. Rowe: I am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his generous support for the project. Will he do his utmost to ensure that the somewhat creaky communication network of the Church of England operates to best possible effect, reminding churches and parishes throughout the United Kingdom that, should they want to put on a festival, a massive reservoir of the Church's work is waiting to be exhibited and displayed in concerts and other millennium celebrations?
Mr. Bell: As the hon. Gentleman knows, the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small; the same is true of the administration of the Church of England, but I shall make sure that his words are heard. The commissioners have consistently encouraged every appropriate attempt to mark the millennium year as the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. I am happy to encourage pupils, teachers and schools to devise drama, music and dance productions inspired by the impact of the Christian story; such productions are well within the framework of JC 2000.
Millennium
32. Mr. Simon Hughes (Southwark, North and Bermondsey): What contribution the Church Commissioners are making to the millennium celebrations. [98998]
Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners): In my role as Second Church Estates Commissioner, I have made a modest contribution in helping to raise 75 per cent. of the total £4 million cost of the faith zone at the dome, and I echo the words of the
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in respect of its success. Two million pounds has been donated by the Laing family trusts and £1 million comes from other Christian sources. The faith zone will contain a number of impressive exhibits and installations relating to the way in which the story of Jesus Christ, which lies at the heart of the millennium, has made a difference in this country.
Mr. Hughes: Have the arrangements for Christian participation in the millennium celebrations now been finalised; and, if so, what are they? Will the hon. Gentleman consider discussing with the commissioners whether, next year, they could put some of the funds to which they have access into increasing the number of people at work as Christian ministers in the field? I have no idea of the figures, but I reckon that the percentage of Christians in Britain was larger 1,000 years ago than it is now. If we are to reverse the trend, we might have to employ more people to do the job.
Mr. Bell: The other day, I read a story in the Financial Times stating that only 4 per cent. of our community goes to church. However, 96 per cent. are born into the Church, marry in the Church and die in the Church: that makes a strong and Christian country.
I echo the words of the Secretary of State that the millennium dome will be a big success. The faith zone will show exhibits and installations relating to the story of Jesus Christ. I am told that it will be finished on time and that it will be a wonderful sight. It will marry with other community projects on which the Church is embarked, such as every church bell in the land being rung on new year's day. In addition, the Millennium Commission is funding the restoration of bells, the floodlighting of churches and an imaginative national faith heritage centre in Bradford.
Mr. John Maxton (Glasgow, Cathcart):
Given that the content of the faith zone was decided by the Lambeth conference, chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury, from which those of us who believe in no god were excluded entirely, how are we to be represented within the faith zone? In addition, how much will the Church of England give directly to the faith zone?
Mr. Bell:
After my last exchange with the hon. Gentleman, I recall someone telling me, "I'm an atheist, thank God," although that might not represent my hon. Friend's views. The Lambeth conference was a conference of all the faiths, so all the faiths have had a say in the faith zone; the zone will be inclusive and display aspects of other faiths. As for the contribution of the Church, as I said earlier, £2 million has been donated by the Laing family trusts and £1 million by other Christian sources; therefore, 75 per cent. of the money raised for the faith zone comes from sources other than the Church itself.
34. Mr. Desmond Swayne (New Forest, West):
What plans the commissioners have to revise the structure of bishops' salaries and allowances. [99000]
Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners):
Bishops' stipends are set by the Church Commissioners on the recommendation of the Archbishops Council as the central stipends authority.
Mr. Swayne:
What possibility is there of linking theological orthodoxy and evangelical zeal to remuneration, especially expenses payable, so that occupants of the pews can be reassured that they are getting value for money?
Mr. Bell:
The clergy are there for the salvation of souls, and I am sure that they do a wonderful job. As for expenses, it is important to bear it in mind that bishops' expenses are only 1.5 per cent. of the total running costs of the Church.
35. Mr. Peter Luff (Mid-Worcestershire):
If he will make a statement on the financial implications of the churchwardens Measure. [99001]
Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners):
In response to comments by the Ecclesiastical Committee, the General Synod has made a number of amendments to the power in the Measure to suspend a churchwarden, including a new appeal provision. The only situation where the Measure might have measurable financial implications would be where there was such an appeal. That would be likely to arise only rarely, and I am sure that all those involved would be concerned to keep the expenses to a reasonable minimum.
Mr. Luff:
I am sure that many of the parochial church councils that have written to me recently to express their concern about the Measure will be encouraged by that response. Will the hon. Gentleman give an indication of the progress that this Measure will make through the House, to enable parochial church councils to shape their representations to Members on this subject?
Mr. Bell:
I am glad to be of assistance to the hon. Gentleman. The Measure, with the amendments made by the General Synod, has been re-submitted to the
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