§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the tenancy rights of clergy who live in church properties. [85179]
§ Mr. BellIncumbents have ownership as a corporation sole of their parsonage houses, although their power to dispose of their houses is qualified. Their ownership ends on resignation, retirement or with pastoral reorganisation, or on removal from office for disciplinary offences, pastoral breakdown or if they become too infirm to continue in ministry. The rights and responsibilities of incumbents with respect to their houses are laid down in the Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972.
Team rectors have the same security as incumbents for the term of years for which they are appointed. Unless they resign or reach retirement age, they can only he removed from office during the period of their licences for disciplinary offences, on grounds of serious pastoral breakdown or infirmity.
Other clergy, about 40 per cent., do not have freehold of office. They include priests in charge and assistant curates. They may occupy their accommodation by virtue of licences under which they themselves would 186W ordinarily make no rental payment. In these circumstances an occupier would not be entitled to remain in possession after the licence came to an end.