§ 26. Mr. Chapmanasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what initiatives the Church Commissioners are taking to implement those recommendations in the report entitled "Faith in the City" which cover matters within the commissioners' responsibility.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe commissioners have offered to provide the secretariat for the proposed Church urban fund and they will give sympathetic consideration to the proposal that they should contribute £1 million per annum towards the fund. This, however, would require legislation.
§ Mr. ChapmanI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that information. In hindsight, and in view of what was written in "Faith in the City", is it not a pity that so many churches in the urban priority areas were demolished, as they were 606 very much the focal points of their communities? Does the Church have any plans to have a physical presence once more in those areas?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeI must question the assumption that my hon. Friend has made. To my certain knowledge every case of proposed demolition, whether in an urban area or elsewhere, is given most serious consideration from all points of view, including that of pastoral care. If my hon. Friend does not feel that that has happened in a specific case, I should be happy to look at the matter. However, in general, great care is taken.