27. Mr. Key: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will arrange for the publication of (a) the attendance records and (b) the voting records of members of all three houses of the General Synod since the last elections.
Sir Stuart Bell: Where votes are counted on particular questions the relevant figures are published in the Synod's Report of Proceedings (which is included on the Church of England website). Records of individual attendance and voting are not kept.
28. Mr. Luff: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what discussions the Commissioners have had with the Heritage Lottery Fund about funding for cathedral and church restoration projects.
Sir Stuart Bell: The Church Heritage Forum is arranging such discussions, to include the Association of English Cathedrals, aimed at enabling better mutual understanding of priorities, potential and needs. The Heritage Lottery Fund needs continuing Government support to carry on its very welcome help with new works and repairs in places of worship.
29. Miss McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on (a) church attendance and (b) church income in rural areas.
Sir Stuart Bell: In 2003 adult attendance grew in half the dioceses, but this is not specific to particular parts of the country. Church income depends chiefly on the giving levels of members and visitors and these levels vary. Predominantly rural dioceses are equally spread across the range.
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what categories of information are available under Freedom of Information legislation that have not been provided in written parliamentary answers on behalf of the Church Commissioners in the last three years.
Sir Stuart
Bell:
The Church Commissioners do not fall within the Freedom of
Information Act.