22. Mr. Chapman asked the hon.Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church Commissioners will initiate discussions with the Secretary of State for the Environment seeking the removal of the ecclesiastical exemption of listed buildings belonging to them.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeIn July 1984 the General Synod, by a large majority, expressed the view that the ecclesiastical exemption should be retained. The commissioners are of the same view. They have made it clear that they are ready to explore ways of improving the existing system.
§ Mr. ChapmanAs a number of much respected environment groups have expressed reservations about the workings of the ecclesiastical exemption system, may I welcome my hon. Friend's reply and encourage the Church Commissioners to have talks with such groups, including the Victorian Society, as there seems to be at least a lack of information and perhaps quite a lot of misunderstanding about how it can be shown that the ecclesiastical exemption system has strengthened rather than weakened the protection of particular Church buildings?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeI am obliged to my hon. Friend. Through the Pastoral Measure of 1983 the House gave oversight of these matters to the Church Commissioners in the belief that pastoral as well as heritage considerations were involved. In support of what my hon. Friend has said, it is interesting to note that the National Heritage Monitor of 1983 points out that a listed Anglican church has a three times better chance of avoiding demolition than a secular listed building.