§ Mr. BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what were the reasons for the real terms increase in expenditure on bishops listed in the Church Commissioners' last annual report. [84187]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe Commissioners' expenditure on bishops falls into three distinct categories: stipends, working costs and housing costs (diocesan bishops only).
Bishops' stipends (pay) increased in line with the stipend increase recommended for parish clergy. From 1 April 1998, the stipend of a diocesan bishop was £27,660 and the stipend of a suffragan bishop was £22,740. The Commissioners' expenditure on bishops' stipends rose by £0.2 million, from £2.5 million in 1997 to £2.7 million in 1998.
Bishops' working costs increased by £0.7 million, from £8.1 million in 1997 to £8.8 million in 1998. Staffing costs account for most of these working costs. The average increase in the Average Earnings index in 1998 over 1997 was 5.1 per cent. Other factors contributing to increased expenditure in 1998 included £0.4 million in the Lambeth Conference, which takes place every 10 years, and the updating of office equipment for bishops and their staff.
Expenditure on diocesan bishops' housing increased by £0.4 million, from £2.6 million in 1997 to £3.0 million in 1998. Spending on these houses can change significantly from year to year depending on the works needed. It tends to be higher when the See becomes vacant, as the opportunity is taken to complete works when a bishop is not living there. There were still costs being met in 1998 relating to the large number of new diocesan bishops in the last three years. A change in the calculation of depreciation of See houses, and improvements to the working environment of bishops' staff, were also special factors in 1998.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many and what percentage of bishops had use of a chauffeur at May (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999; and what was the total cost in current prices for each appropriate financial year. [84188]
§ Mr. Stuart BellIn 1997, 31 bishops employed full or part-time drivers at a cost of £336,741. At 1 May 1998, 31 bishops employed drivers, and the cost of their employment in 1998 was £337,807. Costs for 1999 are not yet available but at 1 May 1999, 27 bishops employed drivers. The hon. Member may wish to refer to the answer my predecessor, Mr. Michael Alison, then the right hon. Member for Selby, gave to Mr. Harry Greenway, the then hon. Member for Ealing, North. In 1995, 31 bishops employed drivers, and the cost of their employment was £334,000, 24 February 1997,Official Report, column 65.
The retail prices index has moved from 146.0 in January 1995 to 160.0 and 164.4 in December 1997 and 1998 respectively (January 1987 = 100), from which it will be seen that the real costs of bishops employing drivers have fallen since 1995. Bishops have increasingly been making use of part-time drivers.
323W27 out of 44 diocesan bishops employ a full or part-time driver. In addition the 70 suffragan or assistant bishops drive themselves or occasionally receive some special assistance when they are not able to do so, e.g. because of a disability.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what has been the annual expenditure including council tax, maintenance and other works, on each residence available to each bishop in (i) 1990–91, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [84189]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe Commissioners' current policy is not to make public expenditure on individual bishops' houses. The overall spending on bishops' houses was:
- 1990—£1.7 million
- 1991—£2.1 million
- 1992—£2.2 million
- 1993—£2.2 million
- 1994—£2.7 million
- 1995—£2.3 million
- 1996—£2.7 million
- 1997—£2.6 million
- 1998—£3.0 million.
Comparable figures are not available for 1999.
Expenditure on bishops' houses overall and on individual houses in particular can change significantly from year to year, depending on the works needed. Expenditure on a house tends to be higher when the See becomes vacant, as the opportunity is taken to complete works when a bishop is not living there.
Spending on bishops' housing is subject to close budgetary control. Repairs to buildings are limited to the minimum that the Commissioners feel is consistent with the proper maintenance of these properties in their care. The Commissioners have nearly completed their review of the suitability of all diocesan bishops' houses (suffragan bishops' houses are owned by the diocese) and in many cases steps have been taken to reduce long-term running costs.