§ 30. Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet)What funding he has received from English Heritage in 1998 for the upkeep of the Church's historic buildings. [98996]
§ Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners)In 1998-99, 12 million was made available through English Heritage towards repairs to churches of all denominations and religions—Christian and non-Christian churches, historic places of worship in regular use and grade 1 or 2 listed buildings.
§ Sir Sydney ChapmanWill the hon. Gentleman confirm that £12 million is significantly less than the Treasury grabs in value added tax on church repairs and renovations? If, as I suspect, that is so, has not the quite ridiculous system of the Treasury giving with one hand and grabbing back with both hands gone on for too many years? I lend my support to the hon. Gentleman and his commissioners in their campaign for the vexed issue of VAT on church repairs to be looked into.
§ Mr. BellAs I reminded the House during my Adjournment debate on 17 November, the total available funding for 1999–2000 of £10 million from English Heritage and £10 million from the heritage lottery fund falls far short of the total bill for major repairs which, for the Church of England alone in 1998, amounted to £123 million. Of that, £18 million was paid in VAT. So, the hon. Gentleman makes a perfectly valid point; the Treasury has taken with one hand what it has given with the other.
§ Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)Will my hon. Friend assure me that churches that receive restoration grants as part of our heritage are brought back into community as well as religious use, as was intended when they were built? Will he also assure me that facilities and access for disabled people are considered when grants are made?
§ Mr. BellEnglish Heritage money is limited to urgent, high-level structural repairs and repairs to historic fabric at risk of imminent loss of grade 1 and 2 churches. Heritage lottery fund money is available for similar work to grade 2 churches and non-structural repairs of any grade, provided that they lie within certain prescribed 341 local authority areas. I am very glad to take up my hon. Friend's point about disabled access and facilities, and will ensure that it is heard.