§ 58. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many women are employed by the Church Commissioners.
§ Mr. Michael Alison (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners)There are 139 women on the Church Commissioners' staff.
§ Mr. MarshallIs there not scope for women to serve the Church in other ways? Is it not high time that a decision was made over women priests, especially as women are effective preachers and are likely to be even more conscientious than men in their pastoral duties?
§ Mr. AlisonI have great sympathy with my hon. Friend's championing of the cause of women in the Church of England ministry. He will know that there are already about 500 women deacons in post in the Church of England, and they do marvellous work. However, the ordination of women measure is unlikely to come before the General Synod until 1992, which will be after the next General Synod is elected in 1990.