§ Mr. Dalyellasked the hon. Member for Kingswood, as representing the Church Commissioners, what grants the commis- 484W sioners have made since 1970 under the authority of the Pastoral Measure 1968 to the Redundant Churches Fund to assist with the care and maintenance of redundant churches of architectural and historic interest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Terry WalkerThe Pastoral Measure 1968 came into operation on 1st April 1969 and it is, therefore, convenient to deal with payments made to the Redundant Churches Fund since that date. Over the period 1st April 1969 to 30th June 1975 the commissioners have made grants to the fund totalling £348,800 and the Department of the Environment has made grants of a similar amount under the authority of the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969. The commissioners have also paid to the fund the sum of £174,400 over the same period in respect of a one-third share of the proceeds of sales of redundant churches and sites in accordance with Section 52 of the Pastoral Measure. The total sum paid, therefore, to the fund over the period from Church and public funds and from a share of proceeds of sales was £872,000.