§ Mr. Lathamasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, whether he will set out in tabular form for the years 1982 and 1983 the sums paid by the commissioners to augment the stipends of clergymen.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe sums paid by the commissioners for stipends of clergymen in the (calendar) years 1982 and 1983 are as follows:
1982 1983 £ million £ million From the commissioners' own resources 30.1 31.9 Diocesan and other contributions via the commissioners* 31.8 36.9 Total 61.9 68.8 * Includes glebe income.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, whether he will make a statement on the proposals of the commissioners, as central stipends authority, to increase the level of stipend ranges and scales for beneficed clergy and assistant curates since 21 July 1982; and what is the current position regarding the payments by parishes towards the essential working expenses of parochial clergy.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeThe commissioners, as central stipends authority, recommended for the year from 1 April 1984 an increase in the national minimum stipend for incumbents to £6,500 with a range extending to £6,800 within which each diocese sets its own minimum stipend; in addition, the CSA recommended that the average stipend for incumbents in each diocese should not exceed £7,000.
The increased national scale recommended for assistant curates, deoconesses and licensed lay workers starts at £5,600 with four annual increments of £125 up to £6,100. Dioceses are encouraged by the CSA to consider remunerating assistant staff with family commitments, 196W greater seniority, exceptional experience or responsibility, at a higher level than that indicated by the main scale and additional points at £6,225, £6,350 and £6,500 are suggested for the purpose.
The CSA will shortly be announcing stipend level recommendations for 1985–86 which, it is hoped, will safely cover the expected rate of inflation. Meanwhile it should be recalled that, in addition to their stipends, clergymen are provided with a house free from rent, rates, repairs and insurance, or an appropriate housing allowance is paid instead.
With regard to working expenses, there has been a slow but continuing improvement in the average levels of reimbursement of expenses of incumbents, and those of similar status. In 1980 the rate of remimbursement was 78 per cent. and in 1982 it was 79.5 per cent.; although detailed figures for 1983 are not yet available, it is expected that these will show continuing progress. The CSA believes that its booklet called "The Parochial Expenses of the Clergy—a Guide to their Reimbursement", which was first published in April 1982 and which has recently been revised and reprinted, has helped dioceses and parishes to tackle this problem with some success.