§ 21. Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many clergy occupy parsonage homes maintained partly or wholly with funds provided by the Church Commissioners; if any scheme exists to assist clergy to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThere were 8,223 in 1985. The Church of England pensions board also operates a scheme to assist clergymen to purchase a home on retirement and the commissioners contribute financially to it.
§ Mr. BruinvelsI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. I recognise that the Church of England, through the commissioners, is generous in its provision of clergy housing. I understand that £8.8 million was provided in 1985, which was 7p in each pound. Does my hon. Friend agree that many clergy would like the flexibility of movement that would come from owning their own homes? Could not some help be given to them to allow them to buy their own homes, recognising that at present they have to live on the job and are contacted regularly at home day in and day out? They do a magnificent job, but they could do with some flexibility.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThis issue was last considered as recently as 1982, before my hon. Friend joined the General Synod. A paper was circulated at that time. It was clear that the ownership of houses by the serving clergy would have a serious effect on deployment, 14 and there was little desire among the clergy for such a change. The emphasis is put upon making it infinitely easier than it ever was before to purchase a house, or to be provided with retirement housing, once active service has come to an end.