§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what powers the Synod has to instruct the Commissioners to(a) reduce the level of pensions already in payment and (b) reduce the level of stipends in payment.
§ Mr. AlisonThe General Synod has no power to instruct the commissioners to reduce the level of pensions in payment. The levels are determined in accordance with the pensions regulations. Under the current arrangements, the legislation gives to the commissioners the power to increase the figures, which they customarily exercise in line with the Church's pensions policy. There is no provision for any reduction to be made in the monetary amounts payable.
Stipend levels are determined on a diocesan basis by the bishop with the concurrence of the Diocesan Board of Finance in accordance with section 5 of the Diocesan Stipends Funds Measure 1953, having regard to the advice of the commissioners as central stipends authority. The commissioners were appointed as central stipends authority by a General Synod Regulation in 1972, revised in 1982. The Synod has the power to amend this regulation if it so wishes by appointing another authority, but cannot directly reduce the level of stipends.
The Synod also has the power to amend the above legislation, subject to the agreement of Parliament.