HC Deb 05 February 1990 vol 166 cc636-7
76. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement about the impact on the commissioners' income of the trend in the number of candidates for ordination.

Mr. Michael Alison (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners)

There is no clear trend in ordinations sufficient to suggest any significant change in the balance of the commissioners' expenditure in future years. The 1988 figure for male ordinations was the highest since 1971, while the relatively low figure expected for 1990 is likly to be partly balanced by the increased number of women entering the ministry.

Mr. Marshall

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the number of people seeking ordination is less than the number of people about to retire? Does he agree that as the balancing factor is the number of women entering the ministry, it is high time that they were able to become fully frocked priests or priestesses?

Mr. Alison

My hon. Friend seeks to draw me on a matter which is still, so to speak, sub judice in the General Synod of the Church of England-whether women should be fully ordained into the priesthood. That has not yet been determined. I therefore take note of my hon. Friend's point without comment.

Mr. Frank Field

Would the Church Commissioner allow me to comment—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I know that the hon. Gentleman is a member of the—what is it?

Mr. Winnick

The Church of England.

Mr. Speaker

—but he must ask a question.

Mr. Field

The hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) asked a question welcoming the advent of women priests. Given that on most occasions Opposition Members do not agree with the hon. Gentleman, may we register cross-party agreement on this point?

Mr. Alison

I take note of the hon. Gentleman's point—perhaps I should call him my honourable brother, to vary the theme—about the cross-party support for the ordination of women. Nevertheless, the matter remains to be decided in the General Synod and the final vote must await the next General Synod elections. The next General Synod will have the final and definitive say on this matter.

Mr. Couchman

When is the Clergy Ordination Measure, which will allow the ordination of those who have been divorced or whose spouses have been divorced, likely to come back to the House?

Mr. Alison

I hope very much that, subject to the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend the Leader of the House, the Clergy Ordination Measure will return to Parliament probably in the week beginning 12 February.