On 15th July 2019 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question, from Frank Field MP, regarding Bishop George Bell:
Frank Field (Ind): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2019, whether the £29,800 represents the full payment for all costs incurred by the church in its initial judgement on Bishop George Bell; and what proportion of that sum was used for costs for (a) lawyers and (b) damages.
Dame Caroline Spelman: The Church Commissioners have indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
It took four months to come up with that?
I think this is a matter of translation into American English.
translates to:
The Church Commissioners are clear that you are aware that we have not been entirely forthcoming to date. Prior to giving an answer, we need to ascertain whether you have copies of the relevant documents, and therefore a complete picture, or whether we can concoct a plausible answer and get away with it. Again.
I think such an answer is a complete joke. More than that, it signals utter disrespect for people outside of its own sphere of church activity, and as such it is completely unacceptable.