To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what the annual change in stipend was for members of the clergy in each of the last three years. (111528)

The increase in the national stipend benchmark (for clergy of incumbent status) was 3 per cent. in 2004, 5 per cent. in 2005 and 5 per cent. in 2006. The increase in the national minimum stipend (for other clergy) was 3 per cent. in each of those three years.

Additional information is available from The Central Stipends Authority's report, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.