§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners (1) if he will list the estimates the Commission has been given by the House of Bishops on the estimated number of resignations and claims which will be made to the Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993 up until the expiry of the Measure;
(2) what estimates the Church Commission has made of the number of priests who will claim compensation under the Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993 for each year until the expiry of the Measure.
379W
§ Mr. AlisonThe House of Bishops has not itself provided estimates, the Church Commissioners' estimates are their own, following consultation with the Church of England pensions board.
As at 30 April 1995, 265 clergy eligible for financial assistance under the Measure had resigned and so far have received £3.5 million in resettlement grants and periodic payments. A further 40 clergy have indicated their intention to resign. It is difficult to predict the final number of resignations. However, actual expenditure in 1994 and illustrative costings based on a possible total of 350 resignations are set out in the following table. These reflect the pattern of expenditure to date.
Illustration of costs for 350 resignations Year Gross Costs to be met from CC Income £ Housing Capital (funded by CC) £ Net for Church£ Net Housing Capital (funded by (CC) £ 1994 2,452,000 5,011,000 747,000 5,011,000 1995 3,439,000 4,770,000 1,872,000 4,770,000 1996 3,216,000 1,370,000 1,899,000 1,370,000 1997 2,434,000 355,000 1,226,000 54,000 1998 1,731,000 213,000 706,000 (100,000) 1999 1,250,000 111,000 433,000 (215,000) 2000 890,000 85,000 272,000 (254,000) 2001 851,000 88,000 412,000 (264,000) 2002 707,000 91,000 413,000 (274,000) 2003 625,000 95,000 437,000 (285,000) 2004 415,000 — 321,000 (396,000) 2005 289,000 — 244,000 (411,000) 2006 216,000 — 197,000 (428,000) 2007 211,000 — 204,000 (445,000) 2008 211,000 — 209,000 (463,000) 2009 217,000 — 216,000 (361,000) 2010 221,000 — 221,000 (375,000) 2011 226,000 — 226,000 (390,000) 2012 233,000 — 233,000 (406,000) Total 19,834,000 12,189,000 10,488,000 6,138,000 Notes:
(a) The number of resignations shown, 350, is a broad estimate, and the final costs may vary substantially.
(b) Actual costs based on 232 resignations are shown in respect of 1994. A similar pattern of costs has been assumed for future years.
(c) The figures make allowance for future increases in house prices and stipends.
(d) It has been assumed that 50 per cent. of resigners will require housing assistance.
(e) The net figures take account of such variables as stipends savings—assuming at least a temporary reduction in the payroll— allowance for retirement housing provision which would otherwise have arisen on retirement, and the possibility of some people redeeming loans or leaving rented accommodation once they have obtained alternative employment.