Written answers

Monday, 3 July 2006

Church Commissioners
Tithe Redemption Annuities

Robert Key (Salisbury, Conservative)
To ask the hon. Memberfor Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what factors were taken into account when deciding that tithe redemption annuities should cease to be payable.

Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, No Department)
In 1976 the Government announced that as there were sufficient funds in the tithe account to service the existing redemption stock and, as the costs of administering the scheme were high, tithe redemption annuities should be extinguished. Final payments were to be made in 1976 and 1977. Legislative effect was given to this in the Finance Act 1976. The Board of Inland Revenue handled the matter on the Government's behalf.