Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Smith Excerpts

Thursday 13th October 2011 Commons Chamber

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

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

1. What assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the potential opportunities for the Church of England to work with other parts of the community to attract public funds for local infrastructure investment.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Tony Baldry)]

The Church of England and the Church Commissioners will always take every opportunity to work with local partners for the benefit of local communities.

[Julian Smith]

Ripon cathedral plays a really important role in our local community, bringing together community groups and developing the economy of Ripon as a whole. Will my hon. Friend pass on the positive feedback about the cathedral’s role, which could be an example for other cathedral towns across England?

[Tony Baldry]

Absolutely, I would of course be very happy to do that. Ripon cathedral is the oldest English cathedral—its crypt dates back to 672—and for centuries it has been at the heart of Ripon. I hope that every possible local organisation will work with the dean and chapter to help enhance the vitality of Ripon. The Church Commissioners will certainly engage positively in whatever way we can to support that.