§ 22. Mr. Greenwayasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what was the total amount paid out by the Church Commissioners in 1985 for the stipends of bishops and clergy; what information he has as to the amount contributed by church congregations for this purpose; how these figures compared in real terms with those for 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir William van Straubenzee (The Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing Church Commissioners)The total was £76.3 million in 1985. This included £33.9 million from church congregations. The figures for 1975— when payment arrangements were 18 different — were £21.3 million and £1.4 million respectively. That is an increase in real terms of 30 per cent. and 769 per cent.
§ Mr. GreenwayAre not those figures impressive? Will my hon. Friend give the comparative size of the congregations who contributed the sums mentioned in 1975? What was the average size of the congregation per ordained clergyman then compared with now? Does he think that the congregations get value for money?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe Church Commissioners do not keep statistics of the type requested, because they are not responsible for those matters. I was able to give only the broad figures for which my hon. Friend asked, and I am grateful to him, because they show two things. First, the gross figures are substantial. Secondly, the fact that contributions from church congregations have increased by 769 per cent. in that comparatively short period shows the enormous increase in voluntary giving that is willingly undertaken.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorDo bishops get a secretarial allowance?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe Church Commissioners pay the salaries of secretarial help for bishops.