§ 29. Mr. FlynnTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners by what percentage in real terms rents for Church lands were changed in the years 1987 to 1992.
§ Mr. AlisonThe average gross rent per acre in respect of the Church Commissioners' agricultural land increased by 6.5 per cent., from £56.84 in 1987 to £60.53 in 1992. That compared to an increase in the retail prices index of 34.8 per cent. over the same period, representing a reduction of 28 per cent. in real terms.
§ Mr. FlynnDoes that figure include a premium charged by the Church to allow its tenants to permit the tormenting of dumb animals on their land in the name of sport by allowing fox hunting and deer hunting? Is not the right hon. Gentleman embarrassed that at the international whaling conference and elsewhere, Britain has been criticised by Japan and Norway for allowing hunting on our land? Does not that undermine entirely—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. If the hon. Gentleman tried to catch my eye during questions on the whaling statement, he might be successful, but it is unfortunate that he should move now to the discussion of a subject that is not at all related to his original question.