§ 42. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the link between the Church Commissioners and(a) archbishops, (b) bishops, (c) deans and provosts and (d) sub-deans and vice-provosts. [36759]
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§ Mr. AlisonThe 95 Church Commissioners include the two archbishops, the 41 diocesan bishops and five deans and provosts.
The commissioners are required by statute to provide the stipends of the archbishops, diocesan bishops and the dean or provost and two residentiary canons at each cathedral. No distinction is drawn in this respect between a dean or a provost or whether a residentiary canon whose stipend is provided by the commissioners is, or is not, a sub-dean or ice-provost. Under current arrangements, the commissioners also meet the full cost of the pensions of all clergy including those referred to.
The commissioners are by statute responsible for the housing and expenses of all diocesan bishops, including the archbishops. They also accept responsibility for the expenses of suffragan bishops.