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13 Jun 2005 : Column 234W—continued

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Senior Clergy

Michael Fabricant: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the availability and number of qualified clergy for senior clerical positions within the Church of England. [2988]

Sir Stuart Bell: There are always clergy available for senior appointment in the Church of England. It is hard to measure the number of qualified clergy in general terms as the requirement of particular posts and its context determine what skills, attributes and experience are sought.

Residential Sales

29. David Taylor: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what safeguards for existing tenants are sought before decisions by the Commissioners to sell the freehold of residential properties are taken. [2990]

Sir Stuart Bell: The Commissioners have reassured tenants that this is a sale of the freehold only and does not affect the terms of their tenancies.