§ 24. Mr. Harry Greenwayasked the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what are the average current pay and emoluments of curates; what were the comparable figures in real terms five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe current average stipend of an assistant curate is £7,469. In addition, he is provided with a house free of rent, rates, repairs and insurance. The comparative figures are given below. They show a substantial improvement in real terms over the period.
Average stipend of Assistant Curates Equivalent at April 1987 prices Average stipend in 1987 Increase in real terms £ £ £ Per cent. 19871 7,469 7,469 7,469 — 1982 4,914 6,173 7,469 +21 1977 2,039 4,542 7,469 +64 1972 1,000 4,750 7,469 +57 19672 800 5,500 7,469 +36 1 For 1987–88 the recommended four year incremental scale for assistant curates is £6,966–£7,475. 2 There was no national scale in 1967 nor comparable statistics. However, the record indicates that the average stipend of assistant curates was in the region of £800 (or £5,500 at April 1987 prices).