29. To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the pension funds available to the clergy. (99174)

The pension benefits currently available to Church of England clergy reflect steps taken in the 1980s to improve the package. The scheme provides a full service pension of two thirds of the national minimum stipend plus a lump sum of three times the pension. This year, that means a pension of £12,040 and a lump sum of £36,120.