In this section you can find out more about the role of the
Second Church Estates Commissioner and about the current incumbent,
Sir Tony Baldry MP.
The Second Church Estates Commissioner provides an
important link between Government and the established Church
and whilst the position exists to maintain the
statutory accountability of the Church Commissioners
to Parliament, the position has evolved over the time of
successive Second Commissioners to seek to provide a link
between Government and Parliament on the one hand and
the established Church on the other.
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.