To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners whether the Church Commissioners have made an assessment of the merits of allowing their land to be used for eco-town developments. (289357)

With the assistance of their professional advisers, the Church Commissioners keep their property holdings under constant review to ensure that development potential is identified, thoroughly assessed and taken forward in the most appropriate way.

When the Government originally announced the eco-town idea, the Commissioners liaised with their advisers to determine whether any potential sites already identified in their portfolio might meet the eco-town criteria or whether any other land might be suitable to accommodate an eco-town. No suitable opportunities emerged and therefore this initiative was not taken forward in relation to the Commissioners' landholdings.