HC Deb 21 January 1997 vol 288 cc578-9W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what has been the Church Commissioners' expenditure for the payment of bishops' capital expenses in each year since 1986. [10948]

Mr. Alison

The following figures for diocesan bishops' houses, which include both a chapel and office accommodation for bishops' staff, show the total capital expenditure, excluding fees, from 1986 to 1995, the last year for which figures are currently available. The figures, at December 1995 prices, are net of sale proceeds of any surplus property and also include the purchases of property where appropriate.

As suffragan and full-time assistant bishops' houses are owned by diocesan boards of finance full details of all capital expenditure are not available, but capital grants made by the commissioners are shown.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what has been the Church Commissioners' expenditure for the payment of bishops' revenue expenses in each year since 1986. [10949]

Mr. Alison

The table shows the total revenue expenditure from 1986 to 1995, the last date for which figures are currently available, at December 1995 prices. The figures for diocesan bishops' houses include expenditure on furnishings and gardens, but exclude fees and are net of rental income for accommodation not occupied by bishops.

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Diocesan bishops 1,438,666 1,325,950 1,482,657 1,316,418 1,616,873 1,661,259 1,405,465 1,487,894 1,744,283 1,417,489
Suffragan and full-time assistant bishops 172,761 124,340 179,326 189,973 172,698 126,810 113,048 187,134 154,205 206,745
Bishops' administrative costs 4,724,549 5,121,197 5,439,570 5,565,365 6,278,517 6,718,993 6,785,396 7,060,791 7,199,430 7,414,000