§ 43. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what is the current average salary of the beneficial clergy; and if he will make a statement. [15280]
§ Mr. AlisonThe average stipend for clergy of incumbent state for the year beginning 1 April 1995 is £13,450. That is 2.1 per cent. above the previous year's figure of £13,170.
§ Mr. GreenwayDoes my right hon. Friend agree that there need to be differentials in terms of pay and emoluments between archbishops, bishops, archdeacons, vicars and curates? Vicars live in vicarages; why do so many bishops continue to live in palaces? Would it not 585 be better if the majority followed the example of the few who have been taken out of their palaces and placed in bishops' houses?
§ Mr. AlisonI take my hon. Friend's point that some bishops appear to live in substantial and splendid circumstances, but I am glad that he is in a favour of differentials in the ranks of the clergy, as he is no doubt in favour of differentials between Back-Bench Members and Cabinet Ministers, although Cabinet Ministers do not live in palaces.