§ Mr. BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how many people work for the Church Commissioners; and what was their total cost in 1996. [24830]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe Commissioners' administrative costs in 1996 (inclusive of salaries, staff pensions and office running costs) were £10.6 million, down 8 per cent. in real terms since 1993. £5.2 million were asset2W management costs; £5.4 million was the cost of central Church functions for which the Commissioners are responsible. Two hundred and forty-seven staff worked for the Commissioners as at 31 December 1996, down 12 per cent. over the previous three years. I direct the hon. Member to page 22 of the Commissioners' Report and Accounts, a copy of which is in the Library. This shows the Commissioners' efficient cost management record over the last ten years.