§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps are being taken to review clergy stipends; and if he will make a statement. [110633]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe Commissioners' powers and responsibilities as Central Stipends Authority were transferred to the Ministry Division of the Archbishops' Council with effect from 1 January last year. The Archbishops' Council has commenced a review of clergy stipends. Among other things, the review will
examine the content of the clergy remuneration package (including stipend, housing and non-contributory pension)compare the remuneration of clergy with that of other groups;conduct a large-scale survey into the financial circumstances of clergyIt is hoped that the review will make an initial report of the General Synod in November 2000.The working group set up by the Council to carry out the review has met three times to date, and is due to meet a further five times this year.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many(a) full-time clergy, (b) part-time clergy, (c) non-stipendiary clergy and (d) retired clergy are currently on the books of the Church of England; and what audit is carried out of the cost benefit of funding the training and pay of each group. [111115]
§ Mr. Stuart BellAt the end of 1999, there were 9,520 full-time stipendiary parish clergy (8,459 men, 1,061 women), 156 part-time stipendiary parish clergy (66 men, 90 women), 2,031 Non-Stipendiary Ministers (1,335 men, 696 women), 298 Ordained Local Ministers (162 men, 116 women). At the end of 1999 there were 7,486 clergy and licensed lay workers in receipt of retirement pensions.
Clergy are self-employed and do not have formal job descriptions. They are encouraged to exercise their ministry in ways which are suited to their parishes. It would not be appropriate to conduct audits of the kind implied.