§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the implementation of the Wilding report on the redundant churches fund.
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§ Mr. KeyA number of the recommendations made by Richard Wilding in his report are for the Church Commissioners to implement through amendment of the Pastoral Measure 1983. The General Synod, which meets next week, will have before it a draft amending measure. Should Synod approve the amending measure, I intend to bring forward legislation to amend the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969 so that my Department's grant to the redundant churches fund can in future be paid through the Church Commissioners rather than directly to the fund. This was a key recommendation of the Wilding report, and will strengthen the role of the Commissioners as the focal point for the review of policy, the selection of priorities and the matching of expenditure with resources.