LORD DENMANMy Lords, I desire to ask the noble Viscount the Leader of the House a question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether His Majesty's Government have any statement to make on the subject of the ringing of church bells.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT CRANBORNE) (Lord Cecil)My Lords, the War Cabinet, after receiving the advice of the Chiefs of Staff, have reviewed this question in the light of changing circumstances. They have reached the conclusion that the existing orders on the subject can now be relaxed and that the church bells should be rung on Sundays and other special days in the ordinary manner to summon worshippers to church. This new arrangement will be brought into effect in time for the Easter celebrations this year.
THE LORD BISHOP OF LONDONMy Lords, you will remember that the most reverend Prelate the Archbishop of York raised this matter a week or two ago in a very forcible speech in this House. I am sure that he would wish me on his behalf to express—what he would have said himself if he could have been here—his great appreciation of the statement that has just been made. That appreciation and gratitude will be shared, I am quite sure, by many people up and down the country. It would be a fatal consequence if it were supposed that there could be any relaxation of precautions, but the most reverend Prelate's point was that this could be done without any relaxation of any precaution. The use of church bells as warnings will remain unimpeded, but I am sure we shall all deeply appreciate the possibility that once more we can be summoned to divine service throughout the country by the ringing of bells.