§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance the Church Commissioners give to cathedrals on ethical investments. [36252]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe Church Commissioners' ethical investment policy is developed in consultation with the Ethical Investment Working Group which includes all of the Church of England's central investing bodies. Information about the Commissioners' ethical investment policy, including an annually updated list of the Commissioners' larger equity investments, is widely disseminated.
The Commissioners do not take investment decisions or make ethical investment policy for other bodies in the Church; this is a matter for the trustees of their own funds. Cathedrals are required to make investment decisions on advice from the Commissioners. The making of ethical investment policy is also a matter for trustees, but the Commissioners explain the rationale and working of their ethical investment policy to other Church bodies, including cathedrals, when approached.