To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what proportion of the Church's income came from collections in the last five financial years. [129578]

I understand from the Archbishops' Council that total giving through standing order, payroll giving and cash, amounting to £282 million in 2001, accounts for roughly one-third of the Church's overall income. This proportion has not changed significantly over the last five years.