HC Deb 04 May 1977 vol 931 c456

34. Mr. Whitehead asked the hon. Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker), as representing the Church Commissioners, what further measures from the Synod will be placed before Parliament this year.

Mr. Terry Walker

Strictly, this Question does not relate to Church Commissioners' business on which I answer Questions in this House. However, in order to assist my hon. Friend, I have ascertained that it is expected that the following Measures will come to this House for affirmative resolutions this year: the Incumbents (Vacation of Benefices) Measure; the Dioceses Measure; and the Parochial Registers and Records Measure.

Mr. Whitehead

Can my hon. Friend, under the third category, give a guarantee on behalf of the Synod that there will be no last-minute attempt to allow diocesan record offices to charge unlimited search fees for parochial registers?

Mr. Walker

This was a very last-minute provision that was brought forward by the Synod. We shall certainly look again at the matter, but when the matter is discussed here there will be an opportunity for representations to be made and a vote taken on it.