Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 November 2003. It was answered by Stuart Bell (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 November 2003 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Church Commissioners

Question: To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Brussels with the Church of England VAT Group to meet (a) UK Permanent Representation officials and (b) Commissioner Bolkestein.

Answer: Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Brussels with the Church of England VAT Group to meet (a) UK Permanent Representation officials and (b) Commissioner Bolkestein. [138837] Mr. Bell: The Church VAT Group was grateful for the chance to reiterate the case for a reduced rate of VAT for repairs and maintenance to listed places of worship during the recent visit to Brussels. The UK permanent representative office was very clear about the support of the UK Government for our case and their commitment to argue for it at every level up to the Council of Ministers. Commissioner Bolkestein received our presentation with much interest. Clearly, with negotiations still ongoing, involving discussion of the many different EU Member States' aspirations, he was not prepared to anticipate what the final outcome would be during his meeting with us.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 138837; 413 c773W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Church Commissioners Church of England Churches European communities Repairs and maintenance VAT Visits abroad
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk