HC Deb 30 June 2003 vol 408 cc15-6
21. Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)

If he will make a statement on the level of income from collections the Church of England has received in each of the last four years.␣[122053]

Second Church Estates Commissioner (Mr. Stuart Bell)

The total direct giving by members through standing order, payroll giving and cash in the last four years for which data are available—1998 to 2001—amounted to £244 million, £253 million, £268 million and £282 million.

Miss McIntosh

I welcome that reply, which is obviously good news for the Church of England, but does the hon. Gentleman share my concern that the grave anxiety about the appointment of bishops might lead to a fall in church attendance and future church collections? Has he given some thought to how that could be overcome?

Mr. Bell

I am happy to reply—certainly in respect of giving. The 2001 figure that I gave increases by £52 million if tax recovered is added to the equation, and parochial church councils have received a further £149 million of restricted money. The Church welcomes that increase, but I am not entirely sure that it can be related to the appointment of bishops.

Jane Griffiths (Reading, East)

On the appointment of bishops, will my hon. Friend take a view on the murky political campaign that is being conducted to overturn the appointment of the Bishop of Reading, which has been approved by Her Majesty the Queen?

Mr. Bell

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for pointing that out. I am sure that she is perfectly aware, as is the House, that the appointment of suffragan bishops falls within the purview of the Acts of 1534 and 1898. Once the sovereign has approved the appointment under the 1574 Act, the archbishop is legally obliged, in the absence of any lawful impediment, to proceed to consecrate the suffragan.

Mr. Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam)

Given the increased call on the Church's collection income to meet the demands of the parish assessment or quota, how can anyone—a regular giver or otherwise—obtain information that enables them to make sensible comparisons between the performance of one diocese and another in terms of delivering on financial management, property management and other aspects that lead to increased costs?

Mr. Bell

The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point on how we relate and compare the costs of different dioceses. I am sure that he will wish to bear in mind the fact that, each year, the Church must find £800 million for its upkeep. Although we are content to see giving increasing, the problems remain enormous. The Church Commissioners are considering the type of analysis that he is calling for within the domain for which they are responsible.