§ 35. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the pay and emoluments of flying bishops; from what date payments will be made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Bishop of Beverley and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet took up their appointments as provincial episcopal visitors on 7 March and 29 April respectively. Their stipends are £19,895 a year and are in line with those paid to suffragan bishops. They are also provided with housing.
§ Mr. GreenwayWill the flying bishops have a role in administering to the 139 clergymen who have left the Church of England following the decision to ordain women? How many more ordained clergymen are expected to follow them? Will those bishops, like all other bishops, have a relationship with members of the royal family?
§ Mr. AlisonLinks with the royal family are not likely to arise in the case of the two provincial visitors. Some 66 clergy may be thinking of leaving the Church of England, 665 in addition to the 160 who will have resigned by the end of July. I am quite certain that those 66 who have not yet 666 resigned but are thinking of doing so will be having interviews and taking pastoral advice from the two provincial bishops to whom I have referred.