To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from the Historic Churches Preservation Trust on funding to protect historic churches; when she last met the trust; and if she will make a statement. (110892)

The chair of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust attended an ecclesiastical heritage event hosted by the Department in December 2005.

In March 2006 I received a copy of the trust's 2005 review of the year.

The chief executive of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust was a signatory to a letter jointly signed by representatives of nine organisations, in support of English Heritage's Inspired campaign on funding for historic churches, received in June 2006.

As Minister for Culture, I attended a meeting hosted by the chair of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust in July 2006, at which representatives of many church heritage bodies were present.

The Government recognise the important role played by the Historic Churches Preservation Trust in raising and making available funding for the repair and conservation of historic church buildings.