HC Deb 11 December 2000 vol 359 cc20-1W
38. Mr. Baldry

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the value of the assets of the Church Commissioners in the financial years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [141911]

Mr. Stuart Bell

The Commissioners' financial year ends on 31 December and their end year asset value is stated in their annual report, a copy of which will have been sent to the hon. Member. The total market value of their assets at the end of each year from 1997 to 1999 was:

£ billion
1997 3.5
1998 3.7
1999 4.4

For the three year period 1997 to 1999, the total return on the Commissioners' assets averaged 19.7 per cent. p.a. against the WM All Funds average of 17.3 per cent.