HC Deb 16 July 2001 vol 372 cc17-8
35. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)

How much public funding has been invested in the maintenance of church buildings in each of the past five years. [2457]

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

Broadly, grants offered—as opposed to expended—over the past five years for all places of worship, including those of other denominations and faiths, and for works to contents as well as fabric, were in the order of £20 million a year.

Paul Flynn

That is a considerable sum of money. I am sure that my hon. Friend will have noted that many churches are now using some of their surplus space resulting from dwindling congregations for community purposes, such as nursery schools, youth clubs, meetings and facilities for pensioners. Will he ensure that, when these grants are given in future, the possibility of dual use for community purposes is taken into account as well as architectural and historic considerations?

Mr. Bell

My hon. Friend says that £20 million a year is a lot of money, but the churches require something like £120 million a year. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the fact that churches, particularly those in rural areas, are playing a greater part in the community. We welcome and encourage that, and my hon. Friend's comments will help us to do so.

Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)

To what extent has public funding of the maintenance of church buildings been counteracted and offset by the revenues from VAT? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there is an inherent absurdity in giving with one hand and taking away with the other?

Mr. Bell

That inherent absurdity was taken into account by the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he agreed to give grants to bring down the value of VAT from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent. The VAT costs on repairs and maintenance to listed Church of England buildings is estimated to be £10 million. We are now discussing with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how we can establish procedures whereby the grants announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer can be brought into effect. It is worthy and important that the hon. Gentleman has referred to this matter today.

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