To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what account the commissioners take when they are consulted about the future use of redundant churches of the uses to which those buildings have previously been put.

Under the Pastoral Measure 1983 the commissioners must be satisfied that an alternative use proposed for a redundant church is "suitable". The commissioners interpret this to mean a use which has planning permission and which is consonant with the former use of the building as a place of worship and also with the building's historic and architectural qualities.