§ 32. Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)What has been the increase in real terms in the level of rents charged for church land in the last 10 years. [123702]
§ Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners)I am not able to quantify the 10-year return on commissioners' farm lettings alone, but, over the last 10 years, the total return on all the commissioners' agricultural property has been 9.7 per cent.
§ Mr. FlynnWhen the commissioners next adjust the rents, could I urge them to read the inspiring words of the Books of Isaiah and Hosea on Christian charity, which urged that it should be extended beyond the human race to the animal species? Could not the Church Commissioners devise a way to reward those tenants who have already banned the cruel activity of fox hunting on their lands?
§ Mr. BellI would not wish to anticipate the statement of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but I will listen to it with great interest.