§ 2.35 p.m.
THE LORD BISHOP OF EXETERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government:
- (a) how many of Her Majesty's prisons contain no assembly or concert hall with the result that the prison chapel has to be used for entertainment purposes; and
- (b) whether, in the building of new prisons, it is now an accepted principle to include a building set aside solely and wholly for religious purposes; and if not, why not.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (EARL BATHURST)My Lords, in 26 of the 50 prisons in England and Wales the chapel is used for secular as well as religious purposes. At Everthorpe and Hindley a site has been reserved for the building of chapels solely for religious use, and these are included in the design of the new type of prison, of which Blundeston is the first.
THE LORD BISHOP OF EXETERMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for the courtesy of that Answer.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, could the noble Earl say whether the phrasing of this Question is a new and welcome example of the Church militant?
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, I think it is borrowing from the legal profession.