§ 38. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what is the number of residential properties that are owned by the Church of England and not currently designated for use by clergy; and if he will place a list of the properties in the Library. [27705]
§ Mr. AlisonThe Church Commissioners do not keep central records of Church of England properties that are not currently designated for use by clergy. Each diocese keeps a record of the property it owns and of clergy's houses, and of whether they are empty or occupied. The Church Commissioners own, as part of their investment 639 portfolio, a total of 3,720 residential units. In view of the number of these properties, it would not be practicable to place a list of all of them in the Library.
§ Mr. HughesGiven the large number of people who are without housing, temporary or permanent, will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries, if necessary diocese by diocese, so as to satisfy hon. Members that these properties are being made good use of? During the period between one incumbent leaving and another taking up his post—often as long as six months or more—and on any other occasions when properties are not used for Church members of staff, they should not be left empty. Instead, they should be offered, short term, to meet people's 640 housing needs so that the Church's residential property is at all times full and used to house people who might otherwise have no house.
§ Mr. AlisonAs I have said, that is the responsibility of the parishes and dioceses, but I shall see that the hon. Gentleman's observations are passed on to them, in view of his interest in the matter.
It might just be worth pointing out that of the 3,720 residential units for which the Church Commissioners have a direct responsibility, only 24 are currently vacant; of those, 18 are under offer for sale on long lease or short letting. We are anxious to pursue exactly the course that the hon. Gentleman advocates.