§ 41. Mr. ViggersTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what proposals the Church Commissioners have to change the amount of resources committed to bishops' residences. [6505]
Mr. BellThe Commissioners have a duty to maintain the 44 See houses in their ownership. Houses occupied by suffragan bishops are the responsibility of their respective dioceses.
A budget for each house is prepared on a year by year basis, following detailed consultation with the bishop and the surveyor/architect. They are drawn up in the light of professional advice on the existing condition of the properties, the potential maintenance liability, and the scope for creating more economic and manageable accommodation, where appropriate. The budgets are the minimum the Commissioners feel is consistent with the proper maintenance of those properties and the costs are monitored closely.