§ 36. Mr. LansleyTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if the stipends of any clergy are to be increased in consequence of the implementation of the minimum wage. [61377]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe stipends of parochial clergy are increased each year by dioceses on the basis of recommendations from the Central Stipends Authority. Clergy are not covered by the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, as Ministers of religion have the legal status of office holders, not employees.