HC Deb 15 September 2003 vol 410 cc522-3W
Norman Baker

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what percentage of the Church Commissioners' total expenditure was spent on bishops' emoluments in each year from 1999. [127220]

Mr. Bell

The Commissioners are responsible for funding the emoluments of all diocesan, suffragan and full-time assistant bishops as part of their support for bishops. Emoluments include the stipend paid to each bishop, employer's national insurance contributions and pension contributions.

The Commissioners' annual spending on bishops' emoluments from 1999 is shown in the table in monetary values and as a proportion of their total expenditure.

Number of

bishops with use

of a driver

Percentage of

bishops

Total cost

(calendar years)

(£)

Equivalent at

May 2003 prices

(£)

Number of part-

time drivers

Number of full—time drivers
2000 32 28 306,318 325,698 23 9
2001 35 30 336,595 350,700 27 8
2002 34 30 324,145 333,895 27 7
2003 32 28 not yet available n/a 25 7