§ 23. Mr. Greenwayasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what account the Church Commissioners take, in calculating stipends, of congregational Easter offerings to the clergy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe level of individual clergy stipends is a diocesan matter. However, I can say that dioceses do take into account any Easter offerings paid direct to the clergyman when they assess the amount of augmentation grant to be paid.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs it not a fact that, throughout the land on Easter Sunday next, in accordance with ancient tradition, church people of all ages, including schoolchildren, will be invited to make personal contributions to their incumbents? Will they not be distressed when they discover that those contributions do not go direct to the vicars, but are part of the stipends? Will the Church Commissioners, with their £1.7 billion assets, look again at this to see whether they can ensure that Easter offerings intended for vicars are paid to vicars?
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeIn operating this policy the Church commissioners are responding to a strategy laid down in 1975 by the General Synod, which was designed essentially to have a greater element of fairness as between one incumbent and another. The laity of the Church have now overtaken the church Commissioners in providing their share of the stipends, while the Church Commissioners are wholly responsible for the money that is paid by way of pensions.