Where in the case of any area it appears to the Commissioners that, owing to social or economic changes in the area (other than recent housing development within the meaning of the 1954 Measure), the area is not sufficiently provided with suitable church buildings of any description and that it is expedient for the Commissioners to exercise their powers under this section, the Commissioners shall have power, subject to the provisions of this section, to make payments, whether by way of grant or loan, for or towards the provision in that area of one or more church buildings of the description in question.

The provisions of subsections (2) to (7) of section 1 of the 1954 Measure shall apply in relation to powers exercisable by the Commissioners under subsection (1) above as they apply in relation to powers exercisable by the Commissioners under that Measure.

In section 2(1) of the [1970 No. 2.] Sharing of Church Buildings Measure 1970 (which enables the powers of the Commissioners under the 1954 Measure to be exercised in relation to shared church buildings) after the words “New Housing Areas (Church Buildings) Measure 1954” there shall be inserted the words “and section 2(1) of the Church Commissioners (Assistance for Priority Areas) Measure 1988.”