HC Deb 05 July 1982 vol 27 cc13-4
22. Mr. Greenway

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the conditions of service of beneficed clergymen.

The Second Church Estates Commissioner, Representing Church Commissioners (Sir William van Straubenzee)

For the year from 1 April 1983, the Church Commissioners, as central stipends authority, have recommended a national minimum stipend for incumbents of £6,050 per annum. In addition to his stipend, an incumbent is provided with a house free from rent, rates, repairs and insurance.

Mr. Greenway

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply and congratulate him, and those whom he represents in this matter, on the improvement that that represents. Will he assure me that the heavy cost involved in that improvement will not be a bar to additional future recruitment? Is he aware that, in a job that involves heavy expenses, despite these improvements, many clergymen are hard up and have to take a second job, let rooms in their houses or send their wives to work, or do all these things, to make money? Is he further aware that this is a difficulty that hampers the full performance of a clergyman's important job?

Sir William van Straubenzee

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. His words will give much encouragement to those concerned. I have never heard any discussion on the subject of recruitment limited by considerations of payment. The proportion of the moneys that we are discussing in terms of stipends now being produced by the laity increases each year and will be an increasing burden which I am sure the laity will willingly accept. Expenses are essentially a matter for the parish concerned, but the Church Commissioners' lead has always been that the legitimate expenses of a man in office should be paid by those whom he looks after in the parish.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the improvements in the pay of clergy, can my hon. Friend tell me whether sufficient provision has now been made for the pensions of the widows of clergymen?

Sir William van Straubenzee

I hesitate to use the word "sufficient", but I can faithfully report great improvement. A widow receives half her husband's entitlement. There are provisions if her income is below a certain minimum level and for helping with housing. There are discussions this week in the General Synod about measures designed to improve the proportion of the pension for a wife who is widowed while her husband is in service or afterwards.