Hansard

Turnbull Report

Volume 282: debated on Monday 14 October 1996

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Mr. Frank Field

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church Commissioners have considered how many of the Turnbull report recommendations can be implemented without seeking parliamentary approval; and if he will place a copy of their considerations in the Library. [39672]

  • 1. The number of resignations shown (400) is a broad estimate, and the final costs could vary substantially.
  • 2. Actual costs are show for 1994 and 1995 based on resignations totalling 232 and 67 respectively in those years, including housing subsidy. A similar pattern of costs has been assumed for future years.
  • 3. The figures make allowance for future increases in house prices and stipends.
  • 4. The net figures take account of such variables as stipends savings (assuming at least a temporary reduction in the payroll), allowance for retirement housing provision which would otherwise have arisen on retirement, and the possibility of some people redeeming loans or leaving rented accommodation once they have obtained alternative employment.

    • Mr. Field

    To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, how many clergy resigned over women priests and gained payment from the compensation scheme in each year since its first payments were made broken down by age of the clergy grouped in convenient decades; and what was the size of the payments made. [39263]

    Mr. Alison

    A breakdown of this information in respect of the 314 clergy who have resigned to date is shown in the following table.

    Mr. Alison

    The Church Commissioners have consulted the Standing Committee of the General Synod and the synod's legal advisor has been asked to provide, in conjunction with the official solicitor of the Church Commissioners, an assessment of what could be done without legislation. The results will be considered by the archbishops' advisory group, the standing committee and the Church Commissioners with a view to a response to the recommendation then being made.