Frank Field – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Church Commissioners

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2016-02-24.

To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, whether any of the Estates Commissioners saw the charge sheet on which George Bell was found guilty of child abuse on the balance of probabilities.

Mrs Caroline Spelman

The language of “guilt” and “charge sheets” refers to criminal cases. The claim against Bishop Bell was a civil claim. The civil courts do not use charge sheets and as a result there has not been a charge sheet for the Estates Commissioners to see then or now.