HC Deb 18 July 1988 vol 137 c782
21. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how much the Church Commissioners will be asked to contribute per head, in lump sums and in pension payments, to bishops and clergymen who opt out of holy orders in the event of the ordination of women; how many bishops and clergy are expected to be involved; at what estimated total cost; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

The draft legislation concerning the ordination of women and the related financial provisions is now awaiting consideration by a revision committee. I shall arrange for details of the payment provisions, as the legislation is at present drafted, to be published in the Official Report, but I can say that the cost per 100 men is estimated at some £3 million spread over five years. No reliable estimate can be made of the numbers who might resign.

Mr. Greenway

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that a substantial number of men have said that they will leave holy orders in the Church of England in the event of the ordination of women, thereby creating a major schism within the Church? Will my right hon. Friend seek talks with the Church Commissioners to ensure that any men who exercise their right to leave holy orders are thoroughly compensated, as they should be?

Mr. Alison

The details of possible compensation are already under scrutiny, as my answer revealed. My hon. Friend must bear in mind that there must be another election of the General Synod in 1990 before any irrevocable decision can be taken on the ordination of women. Such a decision is a long way off and far from certain at this stage.

Following is the information: Under the draft Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure, a diocesan bishop would receive a lump sum loan of £15,990, a resettlement grant of £1,700 and periodic payments of £7,995 per annum for up to five years according to age. An incumbent would receive a lump sum loan of £15,990, a resettlement grant of £1,700 and periodic payments of £5,330 per annum for up to five years according to age. The total cost per 100 men is estimated at some £3 million spread over five years. Half of that relates to loans, which would be repayable from the lump sum payable at retirement age.