§ 42. Mr. PikeTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what effect the recently announced rise in the value of their assets will have on the parishes. [42031]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe value of our assets has indeed grown strongly in recent years, and follows a change in investment policy away from a high-yielding low growth mix of assets to a fund based more on Stock Exchange investments which offers higher growth prospects over the long-term. The increased value of our assets will enable us to continue to work in partnership with the parishes to ensure stable and sustainable financial support for the Church into the next Millennium.