§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an ex gratia contribution to the conservation and repair of the front of Wells Cathedral for which an appeal has been launched.
§ Mr. ShoreNo. Successive Governments have maintained the position that their powers to make grants for the repair of buildings of outstanding historic or architectural interest should not extend to cathedrals as ecclesiastical buildings in use. There is no case for making an exception of Wells Cathedral by the giving of an ex gratia contribution.