13 October 2012
The Secretary of the Church Commissioners of the Church of
England, Mr, Andrew Brown, today issued the following
statement.
"It was with great sadness that we learned today of the death of
Sir Stuart Bell MP from pancreatic cancer aged just 74.
"Sir Stuart was the longest serving Second Church Estates
Commissioner and served both the Church Commissioners and the
Church of England with distinction. Before stepping down following
the last election he regularly answered questions on church matters
in the House of Commons covering a wide range of topics. He was a
man of wisdom and integrity; he will be much missed. Sir Stuart's
family remain in our thoughts and prayers."
Notes to Editors:
- Sir Stuart Bell MP for Middlesborough served as Second estates
commissioner from 1997 - 2010.
- The Second Church Estates Commissioner provides an important
link between Government and the established Church. The Second
Commissioner answers oral and written questions from MPs about
Church of England matters, is a member of the Ecclesiastical
Committee and steers Church of England legislation through the
House of Commons. He or she is required to be a confirmed lay
member of the Church of England and is by convention an MP from the
governing political party. The post is a Crown appointment,
made on the advice of the Prime Minister and whilst it is honorary
and unpaid, the position of Second Church Estates Commissioner is
included in the published list of Government members. The Second
Church Estates Commissioner is also an ex-officio member of the
Church of England's General Synod.