§ 26. Mr. Greenwayasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what is paid in pensions and emoluments to widows of clergymen by the Church Commissioners.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe clergy pensions scheme, which is non-contributory, provides that a widow receives half the pension entitlement of her husband. In the case of full service, this comes to £1,925 a year from 1 April 1984. She will also be eligible for an additional augmentation grant if her total income is below £3,350 a year.
§ Mr. GreenwayDoes my hon. Friend agree that these widows also need help with housing, and will he consider whether it is possible to give that help? Does he agree that they give devoted, unpaid help in parishes, as hon. Members' wives give in constituencies? Can my hon. Friend tell the House whether the bishops have plans for further excommunications, such as the one we witnessed recently?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That has nothing to do with the question.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeI shall, therefore, deal only with the first half of the question. Yes, Sir, the devoted work of wives of the clergy is widely recognised and deeply appreciated in the Church. The Church intends progressively to improve housing and pension provisions for them. That is why we must take such care of our assets, because money for this worthy cause comes only from them.
§ Mr. Frank FieldDo not the divorced wives of clergy have a moral right to share in retirement and widows' pensions?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeI know that the hon. Gentleman has taken a keen interest in that point. He gave helpful evidence to an inquiry on the matter headed by the Bishop of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Perhaps he will allow me to await the outcome of the inquiry before giving him an answer.
§ Mr. RymanWill the hon. Gentleman refrain from acting like a ridiculous Trollope figure from "Barchester Towers" and consider seriously the hardships suffered by the widows of the clergy? Does he understand that they are in an exceptionally difficult position, because on the death of the clergyman they lose not only a husband but a home, and the present pension arrangements are wholly inadequate?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeI would be sorry if complacency were read into my reply to the second half of the question. The Church is conscious of the point that 16 the hon. Gentleman makes, which is why year by year we seek to improve the provisions. In answer to the first half of his question, I will try not to ape the hon. Gentleman.