HC Deb 15 January 1996 vol 269 cc406-7W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what arrangements are being made for the division of clergy pensions following divorce, and if he will make a statement. [9480]

Mr. Alison

The Pensions Act 1995 makes provision for accrued rights to prospective benefits under an occupational pension scheme to be taken into account by the court in determining a financial settlement on divorce. The settlement may include an order allocating to a former spouse part of a benefit when it becomes payable under the scheme. These arrangements will apply to the scheme for those in the Church's ministry in the same way as to any other occupational pension scheme.