HC Deb 27 July 1998 vol 317 cc16-7
40. Mr. Ben Bradshaw (Exeter)

What steps the Church Commissioners have taken to communicate their ethical investment policy to the wider Church. [50808]

Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners

The Church of England's ethical investment working group, which co-ordinates that work, makes an annual report of its activities to the Synod. I recently attended an excellent meeting at York at which the group's work was discussed with a regular to and fro between the commissioners and Church people.

Mr. Bradshaw

Does my hon. Friend agree that his job in getting the message of ethical investment over would be made much easier if the bishops gathered at Lambeth spent more time discussing ethics and less indulging in their apparent obsession with what consenting Anglicans do in the privacy of their bedrooms?

Mr. Bell

On the first part of that question, ethical policy in the wider Church is not likely to be debated at the Lambeth conference, but my hon. Friend will be pleased to learn that there will be a debate on third world debt. The resolutions will be debated next week and will be concluded in the final week of the conference.

Mr. Simon Hughes (Southwark, North and Bermondsey)

As well as communicating their ethical investment policy to the Church, could the Church Commissioners do more to ensure that policy reflects the views of members of the Church? Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that there is full consultation with the ordinary people in the pew before the commissioners make their ethical investment decisions?

Mr. Bell

Yes. There is a full consultation procedure. Our ethical investment working group is always looking at positive criteria. We examine every company portfolio in which we invest and take that back to the Church through the Synod. Not only was there a fringe meeting on ethical investment policy at the Synod, but we made a report to the Synod through the First Estates Commissioner. The debate is on-going, but we always welcome the hon. Gentleman's comments and those of others in this field.

Mr. Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye)

What plans do the Church Commissioners have, in respect of investing in their core business, for celebrating the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the Church's founder? Is there any possibility of investment in the millennium dome?

Mr. Bell

I am always grateful for suggestions on how best we should spend our money. Investment in the dome lies outside the responsibilities of the Second Church Estates Commissioner, but in a personal capacity I have worked with others to ensure that the spirit zone will be a success, be properly financed and built, and reflect our Christian heritage.