§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contribution his Department makes to the preservation of Britain's ecclesiastical heritage. [153777]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Department fully recognises the importance of this country's ecclesiastical heritage, and contributes to its preservation in England through grant in aid to English Heritage, which funds conservation work for places of worship listed Grade I and II. The Heritage lottery fund, too, has contributed substantial sums from the national lottery to repairs and new facilities for historic churches throughout the country. The Department further supports the Churches Conservation Trust's work in caring for historic churches no longer in use for regular worship. We will shortly be introducing a new UK-wide grant scheme for listed places of worship which will substantially increase the amount of public support for repairs to our heritage of fine ecclesiastical buildings.