Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Robert Key (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 7 February 2008 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Parsonage Houses

Question: Will the Church Commissioners listen carefully to the concerns of the diocesan synods and the meeting of the Church of England General Synod next week about this transfer of £4 billion of property from the parishes to the dioceses? The current legal vehicle, the corporation sole, ensures unencumbered continuity of these properties from generation to generation. The new trust will not do that. Will the hon. Gentleman assure me that the commissioners will look carefully to see that the property vested in the new parsonage boards of the dioceses will be as safe and inviolable as it is under the current legal arrangements?

Answer: I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we shall listen very carefully to the views of the General Synod next week. As he will know, ““Render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar””. To reverse the role, we must render unto the General Synod that which belongs to the General Synod. It will meet next week to discuss the matter. There are differences of views, but the hon. Gentleman, who is a member of the Synod, will be able to participate in those proceedings as well as the proceedings here.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 471 c1101-2
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Clergy Church of England Housing Property transfer Property Conditions of employment
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk