§ 25. Mr. Frank Fieldasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church Commissioners were invited to submit evidence to the working party on the break-up of clergy marriages.
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616§ Mr. William van StraubenzeeNo, Sir, but representatives of the commissioners have attended all meetings of the working party and have offered information and advice as and when required.
§ Mr. FieldDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that when the report is published on what the Church should do about the broken marriages of clergy, the commissioners will have to provide funds rather than mere advice? Will those funds be forthcoming?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeI think that we must wait and see what the working party recommends to the House of Bishops and what action the House of Bishops decides to take. I remind the hon. Gentleman, however, that the commissioners are statutorily bound by this House in terms of the objectives for which their funds may be used.