§ 30. Mr. Desmond Swayne (New Forest, West)What assessment he has made of the financial implications of ordaining female bishops. [141903]
§ Mr. Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, representing the Church Commissioners)No such assessment has been made.
§ Mr. SwayneIf the existing rules, which allow a parish to opt out of the care of its own bishop, are revoked, and/or female bishops are consecrated, and if, as a consequence, incumbents feel that they cannot in conscience remain within the Church, will they be compensated?
§ Mr. BellIn reply, I can only quote Dean Inge, who once said, "I have had a great many problems—most of which never happened". I doubt that the situation described by the hon. Gentleman will arise.
§ Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)Does my hon. Friend agree that it is for the Church of England and the General Synod to decide on theological grounds whether women should be ordained as bishops? If the Church of England so decides, it should be on those grounds, rather than on financial grounds, that women are ordained as bishops in the Church of England.
§ Mr. BellI am grateful to my hon. Friend. Last July, the General Synod requested the help of bishops in initiating further theological study on women in the episcopacy, with a report-back in two years. The House of Bishops is setting up a working party, but its membership has not yet been settled.
§ Mr. Robert Key (Salisbury)The hon. Gentleman will be aware that a large number of members of the Church of England would warmly welcome the consecration of female bishops. Given the need for so many additional 345 members of the priesthood, what assessment has he made of the cost of this House's not allowing the consecration of female bishops?
§ Mr. BellAs I said in response to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne), no assessment has yet been made of the financial impact of the ordination of female bishops. When the General Synod advances along those lines, no doubt it will take the matter into account.