9 Inspection of register books and records in parochial custody.U.K.
(1)The bishop of a diocese shall cause the register books and records in parochial custody in his diocese, including register books in use for the purpose of making entries therein, to be inspected and reported on periodically by such person or persons as he may appoint.
(2)Before making an appointment under subsection (1) above the bishop shall consult the chief officer of the diocesan record office or, where the diocese has more than one such office, the chief officer of the appropriate office.
(3)The bishop of a diocese shall cause the first inspections under this section of all register books and records in parochial custody in his diocese to be begun within five years after the commencement of this Measure and every subsequent inspection thereunder affecting a particular parish to be begun not more than six years after the date on which the immediately preceding inspection affecting that parish was completed.
(4)A report under this section shall be made to the bishop of the diocese or to such person as he may designate for the purpose.
(5)The person carrying out an inspection under this section shall compile a list of the register books, and a list describing the records, which have been inspected by him under this section.
(6)In the case of any inspection affecting a particular parish under this section, except the first, the person carrying out the inspection may comply with subsection (5) above by certifying in writing that any such list previously compiled under that subsection on an inspection affecting that parish, with such additions or omissions, if any, as are specified in the certificate is a list of the register books or a list describing the records, as the case may be, which have been inspected by him under this section.
(7)The person in whose custody such books or records are shall allow the person carrying out an inspection under this section to have access to those books and records at any reasonable time and shall give him such facilities as he may reasonably require to enable him to carry out his functions under this section.
(8)The person carrying out an inspection under this section shall send a copy of any list or certificate compiled or issued by him thereunder to—
(a)the bishop or such person as he may designate for the purpose,
(b)the chief officer of the diocesan record office or, where the diocese has more than one such office, the chief officer of the appropriate office,
(c)the minister concerned, and
(d)the parochial church council of the parish affected,
with, in the case of the copy sent to such council, an instruction that it is to be kept with the registers and records to which the list relates.
In this subsection “minister” means an incumbent or priest in charge.
(9)Any expenses incurred by a person carrying out an inspection under this section in complying with the provisions thereof shall be paid by the parochial church council of the parish affected.