HC Deb 03 July 1995 vol 263 cc6-7W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners (1) what plans the Commissioners have to establish two pension funds, one for the dignitaries and staff at Church House and No. 1 Millbank and another for the parish clergy; [31992]

(2) what plans the Commissioners have for a single fund into which they will pay the future contributions of dignitaries while each diocese will be asked to meet the future contributions of the parish clergy. [31993]

Mr. Alison

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave him on 14 June 1995,Official Report, column 556.

One of the proposals of the joint report on pensions by the Central Board of Finance, the Church of England Pensions Board and the Church Commissioners which will be considered by the General Synod in July, is that pensions contributions in respect of future service of the parochial clergy should be raised by dioceses—through parishes—and invested in a separate pensions fund. The Commissioners would make contributions into the same fund in respect of those dignitaries whose stipends they meet in full.

The Commissioners will be seeking the power to spend capital to discharge their existing liability for past service pensions. That power could also be used to enable the establishment of a funded scheme for the staff in their employment.