§ Mr. William Powellasked the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what policy is adopted towards the payment of stipends to incumbent clergymen aged over 70 years.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Commissioners' general recommendation is that their stipend should be set at such a level as to ensure that from all sources, including the state pension for a single person (whether the incumbent concerned is single or married), they receive an income not less than the recommended national minimum stipend. It is then for the diocese to determine the stipend level in each individual case in the light of this recommendation.
§ Mr. William Powellasked the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many incumbent clergymen are over 70 years old.
§ Mr. AlisonNinety-eight at 30 June 1987.