HC Deb 24 October 1986 vol 102 c1437

9.35am

Sir Bernard Braine (Castle Point)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg leave to present a petition from the deaconesses of the Church of England. In accordance with the customs and procedures of the House, I shall be brief. The petition, which has been signed by 601 deaconesses, states that whereas they already fulfil the historic and distinctive role of deaconesses within the Church, they remain in law members of laity The petitioners pray this honourable House will support the Deacons (Ordination of Women) Measure, currently before Parliament, in order that deaconesses may be accepted into the historic ministry of the Church as deacons. I beg leave to present the petition.

To lie upon the Table.