HC Deb 19 December 1933 vol 284 cc1113-4
60. Mr. GOLDIE

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds (Mr. Denman) as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the amount of revenue received by them in the year 1900 from the estates in the borough of Paddington, and the amount received therefrom in the last year for which figures are available?

Mr. DENMAN (Second Church Estates Commissioner)

The revenues received by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from estates in the borough of Paddington were:

For the year ended—

£
31st March, 1900 … … 23,700
31st March, 1933 … … 71,800

Mr. GOLDIE

Can the hon. Gentleman say to what this large increase is attributed?

Mr. DENMAN

I hope to the increasing wealth of the inhabitants of Paddington.

61. Mr. GOLDIE

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether they are prepared, out of the revenues received from their property in the borough of Paddington, to make any and, if so, what financial grant to the local authority with a view to improving the housing conditions on their estate in that borough?

Mr. DENMAN

The answer is in the negative. There are no unsatisfactory housing conditions in Paddington, such as the hon. Member implies, on the estate owned and controlled by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

Mr. GOLDIE

May we take it, then, that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners undertake no moral responsibility for the present conditions there?

Mr. DENMAN

The Commissioners take full responsibility for the houses over which they have control. They are not empowered to spend funds on other people's houses.

Miss RATHBONE

Is that the case even if they are drawing large revenues from other people's houses?

Mr. DENMAN

We do not draw large revenues from other people's houses.