Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 1997. It was answered by Michael Alison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 March 1997 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Church Commissioners

Question: What assessment he has made of the letter from the Parishes Protection Group of 11th February, to the Church Commissioners; if he will place a copy of the reply in the Library. - Including ref to 290 c14W and note on the legality of the payment of clergy pensions in Library as Dep/3 4779.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of the letter from the Parishes Protection Group of 11 February, to the Church Commissioners; if he will place a copy of the reply in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [19029] Mr. Alison: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 February, column 14. The Church commissioners have been engaged in extensive correspondence with the Parishes Protection Group on a wide range of issues relating to their work, in particular the proposals for the future financing of clergy pensions. The Parishes Protection Group has made a number of assertions which the Commissioners do not accept and the Commissioners have made their position clear to the group. The hon. Member, in this connection, will have received a copy of a recent note on the legality of the payment of clergy pensions. I will place this in the Library.

Secondary information