§ 62. Sir H. Williamsasked the hon. Member for Finchley, as representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion of the Church Commissioners' income comes from rents of land and other real property.
§ Mr. J. E. CrowderThe total income of the Church Commissioners for the year ended 31st March, 1951 (including trust income with the income of the general fund) was derived as to 23 per cent. from rents of land and other real property and as to 77 per cent. from other sources chiefly interest and dividends on Stock Exchange securities.
§ 63. Sir H. Williamsasked the hon. Member for Finchley, as representing the Church Commissioners, what is the total acreage of agricultural land belonging to the Church Commissioners; and what steps they are taking to assist in increasing the productivity of their farms.
§ Mr. J. E. CrowderThe total acreage of agricultural land owned by the Church Commissioners at 31st December, 1951, was about 260,000 acres. During the three years ending on that date the Commissioners spent nearly £1,650,000 in re-equipping and repairing their farm properties, of which over £1,130,000 was on re-equipment and modernisation of farmsteads.
§ 64. Sir H. Williamsasked the hon. Member for Finchley, as representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church Commissioners are aware of the immediate need to augment clerical incomes to a minimum figure of £500 a year; and what steps they are, therefore, taking in this matter.
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§ Mr. J. E. CrowderYes. The Church Commissioners are actively co-operating with the diocesan finance boards in order to raise the incomes of the clergy to the full minimum in the shortest possible time. Although the main challenges to the parishes must be diocesan, the Commissioners, after consulting with the diocesan representatives, have promised to help not only by continuing their assistance of this object at the aggregate rate of £350,000 a year but also by earmarking for it a further sum of £500,000, the first distribution from which will be made shortly.