§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take action, apart from the facilities of the Redundant Churches Act, to help with the preservation of churches of architectural and historic merit and whose resources are inadequate, in view of the contribution made by such churches in spiritual work, in providing for tourists from Great Britain and overseas, and in the enhancement of the local community.
§ Mr. AmeryThe Government have always expressed their willingness to consider any approach by the Church authorities about the possibility of making grants towards the cost of repairs to churches in use for ecclesiastical purposes. The General Synod of the Church of England have set up a Working Party, to discuss this matter, including grants for churches of other denominations, with my Department. Preliminary meetings have taken place and the Working Party with guidance from the Department are carrying out a study of the estimated cost of repairs to churches in two sample areas and the resources available to their congregations to meet them. This study is to form the basis for further discussions with representatives of the Synod.