Oral Answers to Questions

Jessica Morden Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)]

6. What recent discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the operation of the listed places of worship scheme.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Tony Baldry)]

Members of the Archbishops Council’s church buildings division have already had initial, very useful meetings with Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government and with Treasury Ministers, and we hope that those constructive meetings will continue.

[Jessica Morden]

I have had many representations from local churches whose congregations are struggling to meet the cost of repairs and are dependent on this scheme continuing. In his discussions with the Government, will the hon. Gentleman emphasise that the beauty of the scheme, which was brought in by the previous Government, is that it applies to all listed places of worship, not just those that are eligible for things such as the heritage lottery grant?