§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the hon. Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker), as representing the Church Commissioners, what is the total sum of money paid out by the Church Commissioners for each of the last 10 years for the augmentation of stipends of clergymen; and what proportion of their investments it is the policy of the commissioners to turn into income each year for this purpose.
§ Mr. Terry WalkerThe total sum of money paid out by the Church Commissioners for each of the last 10 years* towards the stipends of clergymen is as follows:
Year to 31st March £ million 1966 11.5 1967 12.1 1968 12.4 1969 13.3 1970 14.0 1971 15.0 1972 16.1 1973 17.0 1974 18.0 1975 19.9 *figures for 1976 are not yet available The commissioners are not empowered to use any part of their investment capital as income.
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§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the hon. Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker) as representing the Church Commissioners, what is the average stipend currently being paid to beneficed clergymen, or priests in charge, of the Church of England; and what proportion of clergymen have their stipends augmented by the commissioners, whether directly or indirectly through diocesan sources.
§ Mr. Terry WalkerThe latest published analysis indicated an average income of £2,233 per annum for beneficed clergymen and of £2,054 per annum for non-beneficed clergymen of incumbent status in parochial posts including priests in charge. This year's returns by clergymen are expected to indicate a higher average income reflecting the increase in the recommended minimum for incumbents and clergymen of incumbent status to £2,400 per annum with effect from 1st April 1976.
Nearly all full-time stipendiary clergymen within the diocesan framework receive stipend payments or augmentation either from funds under the commissioners' direct control or from diocesan stipends funds to which the commissioners contribute substantially and which may also contain money provided from the giving of church members in the parishes.