The Archbishop of Canterbury was today accused of double standards over the sell-of of Church of England land.

If Rowan Williams was a politician it would be fair to say he "says one thing but does another" over plans to put 300 acres of farmland up for sale, senior Tory Nick Gibb claimed.

Labour's Sir Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough), representing the Church Commissioners, accepted the plan was controversial but added the body had a legal duty to its beneficiaries.

At Commons question time, Mr Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) said: "The Archbishop of Canterbury wants to see more food grown locally and he has attacked organisations driven solely by the desire to make money.

"Isn't it paradoxical, therefore, that the Church Commissioners that he chairs want to concrete over 300 acres of prime agricultural land ... in my constituency.

"When challenged, the Commissioners say that they want to build on that land because they are obliged to maximise the amount of money they make.

"If the Archbishop of Canterbury were a politician wouldn't it be fair to say he says one thing but does another?"

Sir Stuart replied: "The Archbishop of Canterbury being quoted in the House of Commons is always a very pleasant occasion.

"I'm sure he does not wish, at any length, to be a politician and I would certainly urge him not to be a politician."

But, he said : "We have a legal duty to our beneficiaries. On this occasion we have met with some controversy in your constituency and we accept that."

Quoting from the book of Ezekiel he said: "In controversy they shall stand in judgment ... and they shall keep my laws and statutes."

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