HC Deb 27 February 2002 vol 380 cc1280-1W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many priests claimed compensation under the scheme for those priests who disagreed with the ordination of women in each year since the scheme's inception. [37765]

Mr. Bell

The Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993 took effect on 22 February 1994. By the end of 2001, 412 clergy had resigned and were receiving or had received payments under the Measure. A yearly breakdown is as follows:

Year of resignation Number of claimants
1994 232
1995 67
1996 39
1997 20
1998 19
1999 13
2000 15
2001 7
Total 412

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many applications for compensation there were in the (a) last year and (b) current year from priests claiming compensation under the Ordination of Women Measure. [37764]

Mr. Bell

In 2001 seven clergy applied for and are receiving payment under the Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993. So far in 2002 one minister has applied for and is receiving such payment.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what the cost of the compensation Measure has been for those leaving the priesthood over the ordination of women in each year since the compensation Measure came into effect. [37766]

Mr. Bell

By 31 December 2001, the cumulative cost of payments made to clergy who had resigned and were receiving or had received payments under the Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993 was £15.8 million. The annual totals are:

£ million
Year of resignation Total cost
1994 2.6
1995 3.3
1996 2.9
1997 1.0
1998 1.8
1999 1.8
2000 1.2
2001 1.2
Total 15.8

These figures include monthly payments, grants for resettlement and, where needed, retraining, pension contributions and some assistance with rental for retirement housing.

Expenditure to 31 December 2001 and budgeted provision for future expenditure in relation to the 412 claimants under the Measure is £24.2 million in total.