To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what recent representations he has received on the level of contribution from central Government towards church repairs. (313296)

The Archbishops' Council receives regular representations on the growing cost of church and cathedral fabric repairs and General Synod will shortly consider the increasing challenge of realising the huge potential of church buildings while dealing with this financial burden.

The Church is grateful for existing grant schemes but requests more state support and I have welcomed the Public Accounts Committee's recommendation that cathedrals should receive direct funding from Government, 21 January 2010, Official Report, column 422. I also share the hon. Lady's view that parish churches, too, need greater support and I suggest that the most immediate aim should be to ensure the extension beyond 2011 of the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme.