§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if the commissioners have received the memorandum "Reasons why the Draft Pensions Measure is not Expedient" from the Parishes Protection Group; and if he will make a statement. [14973]
§ Mr. AlisonThe commissioners have received this memorandum which has, I understand, been circulated to members of the parliamentary Ecclesiastical Committee. The commissioners do not accept the assertions in the memorandum, and will advise the Ecclesiastical Committee accordingly. I am arranging for a copy of a note setting out the position to be sent to the hon. Member.
The proposals for the new arrangements for financing clergy pensions come with the support of the Church Commissioners, the Church of England Pensions Board, the Central Board of Finance, the Diocesan Boards of Finance and the General Synod, which gave final approval to the draft measure in November 1996 on an almost unanimous vote. The proposals reflect detailed and prolonged consultations and independent actuarial advice.