Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative). It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

VAT (Church Repairs)

Question: What recent discussions the commissioners have had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on VAT on church repairs.

Answer: I have been asked to reply—with your permission, Mr. Speaker—on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough (Sir Stuart Bell), who is recovering from a back operation. I am sure that hon. Members will join me in wishing him well. The commissioners have not met the Chancellor, but the Church Heritage Forum, on which they are represented, continues to explore with the Government how the contribution that churches and cathedrals make to the nation should be reflected in the funds that they receive from the state.

Secondary information