To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how many (a) press and (b) communications officers were employed by the Church Commissioners in each of the last 10 years. (182525)

In 1997 and 1998 the Commissioners employed four officers who were engaged in press and communications work. Since 1999, however, the Commissioners have not directly employed any press or communications officers. The Archbishops’ Council provides communications services to the Commissioners at an annually agreed level.