HC Deb 13 May 1996 vol 277 cc637-8
36. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what are the annual maintenance costs in respect of bishops' palaces. [27703]

Mr. Michael Alison (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners)

The annual maintenance cost in 1995 for the 45 diocesan bishops' houses, including the Archbishop of Canterbury's London base of Lambeth palace, was £1,704,000. That figure includes repairs and decorations; other outgoings, such as insurance and water rates; garden outgoings, including gardeners' pay; and the cost of staff accommodation, less incomes from lettings and so forth.

Mr. Banks

Methinks the right hon. Gentleman doth protest too much. I did not know the supplementary question that I would ask until, like manna from heaven, I saw a story in the Daily Mail reporting the new Bishop of Chelmsford as saying that he does not want his new palace—which offers six bedrooms, three bathrooms, staff accommodation and three acres of ground. That is not sufficient for the new Bishop of Chelmsford. Perhaps he should remember the words of Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. If a manger in a stable was good enough for the Lord, whingeing from the princes of the Church is not good enough for us.

Mr. Alison

The hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks), with almost Gallic fervour, is trying to score a goal in the last five minutes—but he has not succeeded. The good Bishop of Chelmsford occupies a small amount of the accommodation, but the house is impossibly close to the A12 dual carriageway and one cannot hear oneself speak, think or pray in the palace. It would be a good thing if the bishop found better accommodation.

Mr. Garnier

If the hon. and saintly Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) is so concerned about the size of bishops' palaces, would not one answer be to open them more frequently to the public so that others could also enjoy this architectural heritage, just as we enjoy the heritage of our other great buildings?

Mr. Alison

Yes. My hon. and learned Friend makes a good point. Of the 45 diocesan bishops' residences, only 11 can properly be described as having an historic background. Of those 11, Auckland castle, Hartlebury castle and the palace of Wells are already open to the public; and I believe that the Archbishop of York is seeking to open up Bishopsthorpe in York. My hon. and learned Friend's point is well taken, therefore.