§ 38. Mr. JenkinTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what estimate has been made of the number of bequests made to Church of England parishes in the latest year for which records are available; and what was their total estimated value. [20672]
§ Mr. AlisonIn 1993 there were about 6,150 bequests to parishes of the Church of England, excluding cathedrals. The total value was about £18 million.
§ Mr. JenkinWhen people make bequests to parishes for the benefices of those parishes, why are the assets sequestered by the Church Commissioners? Why cannot the parishes raise money to better the livings of their clergy, as any other normal charity might be able to do?
§ Mr. AlisonAs far as I know, the Church Commissioners do not sequester any property from parishes; that is more likely to be done by the diocese, and it will be done on the basis that assets flow back into the parish from the diocese. Parishes almost certainly do 708 better by having such a relationship with the diocese. I shall verify the point, however, and write to my hon. Friend if necessary.