HC Deb 15 March 1993 vol 221 c14
32. Mr. Madden

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the level of clergy income from fees for performing marriages.

Mr. Alison

In the year to 31 March 1992, church and churchyard fees received by clergy totalled about £5 million, but no central records are held of the amount specifically attributable to marriage services.

Mr. Madden

I am most grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Does he accept that any cleric who was dependent on fees from marriages performed in the Chapel would have an extremely lean time? Will he do what he can, with the Church Commissioners and perhaps the Archbishop of Canterbury, to have discussions with the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord Chancellor and Madam Speaker to see whether the Chapel can be registered for marriages so that a wider range of marriages than hitherto could be conducted in the Crypt?

Mr. Alison

I shall make representations—

Madam Speaker

Order.