HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 cc585-6
44. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what payments have been made under the terms of the Ordination of Women (Financial Provision) Measure 1993. [15281]

Mr. Alison

At 31 January 1996, the commissioners had made payments from their income totaling £6 million. Since the legislation came into effect in 1994, 300 clergy eligible for financial assistance under the Measure have resigned during that period.

Mr. Banks

That figure is astounding. Why on earth should those crusty old sexists get a penny piece for opposing the ordination of women? The right hon. Gentleman has given an appalling answer, and it shows how deep sexism runs within certain elements of the clergy in the Anglican Church. Those people should get not a farthing. They should be driven from the temples of the Lord with scourges, not be given a silver handshake from the offertory plate.

Mr. Alison

The hon. Gentleman called the figure of £6 million "astounding". If I had said that the amount was £600,000, £6 million or £60 million, he would still have described it as astounding. His references to the clergy of the Church of England would have been exactly the same, whatever the figures involved. The House may expect the same sort of response when we hear the hon. Gentleman speak later this afternoon on another compendious statement, the Scott report.