HC Deb 18 July 1983 vol 46 c14
21. Mr. Greenway

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many buildings in the ownership of the Church Commissioners are open to the public; and if he will make a statement.

The Second Church Estates Commissioner, Representing Church Commissioners (Sir William van Straubenzee)

The commissioners own a number of buildings of historical and architectural interest, principally former or present bishops' residences. In nine such cases, where security, access and the convenience of the occupants permit, appropriate arrangements are made for them to be open to the public.

Mr. Greenway

May I raise the question of locked churches with my hon. Friend, although I know that he does not have any direct responsibility for that? Is he aware that about 80 per cent. of churches are locked to prevent vandalism and theft—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must make his question relevant.

Mr. Greenway

Up to 80 per cent. of the churches that relate to the church buildings my hon. Friend mentioned in his reply—for which I thank him—are locked against theft and vandalism. Will my hon. Friend reconsider the suggestion that I made in the House in March, that teams of church watchers should be appointed to see that churches are kept open so that people may have access to them for their spiritual needs and simply to visit them?

Sir William van Straubenzee

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for recognising that the Church Commissioners, for whom I answer, do not have direct responsibility for the kind of buildings to which he referred in his supplementary question. When he raised the matter last on 15 March 1982 it aroused considerable interest. I hold in my hand a report produced by the diocese of Bradford on that very point and I shall gladly send him a copy. It must be a matter for initiative at parish level.