CHURCH COMMISSIONERS' INVESTMENT IN ARMS COMPANIES

Early day motion 841, tabled 16 July 1999 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 26 members.

That this House welcomes the Church Commissioners' decision that they will not hold shares in British Aerospace on ethical grounds, and that therefore if they receive any such shares as a result of the purchase of GEC's defence wing, Marconi Electronic Systems, they will dispose of them; notes the continuing investment by the Commissioners and the Church of England Central Board of Finance in GKN, a company with substantial defence interests; further notes that GKN has recently sold military equipment to Indonesia, and is participating in a large European arms deal with South Africa, which has been criticised by South Africa's Anglican Primate, Archbishop Ndungane, and all the South African churches; and calls on the Church Commissioners to end completely their investment in arms-exporting companies, sell their shares in GKN, and tighten up their ethical investment policy so as to exclude all arms-exporting companies.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour/Co-operative 3, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.