HC Deb 08 August 1972 vol 842 c1685

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Deaconesses and Lay Ministry Measure 1972, passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for Her Royal Assent in the form in which the said Measure was laid before Parliament.—[Mr. Worsley.]

12.50 a.m.

Mr. Michael English (Nottingham, West)

At this hour I do not wish to detain the House but I cannot let this Motion pass without making one small but important point.

We make a great deal of play about discrimination against women. Hon. Members have introduced Bills in this House or into the Lords on the subject. I recognise that this Measure is worthy of support, and I do not oppose it, because it modestly increases the powers of deacons and deaconesses. But none of us should forget, and I hope the General Synod of the Church of England will take note of the fact, that one of the principal places in the United Kingdom where there is discrimination against women, completely and by law, is in the Church of England. I do not believe that such discrimination can ultimately prevail for ever.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Clergy Pensions (Amendment) Measure 1972, passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for Her Royal Assent in the form in which the said Measure was laid before Parliament.—[Mr. Worsley.]