UNITED REFORMED CHURCH BILL [H.L.] (Hansard, 17 February 1972)

§ THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)
My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HALLSHAM OF ST. MARYLEBONE)
The Question is, That the said Motion be agreed to. Those who are of opinion will say "Content"; to the contrary, "Not-Content". The "Contents" have it.

THE LORD BISHOP OF COVENTRY
My Lords, I am grateful for the permission which has been given for me to speak briefly on this Motion to express the deep appreciation—

THE LORD CHANCELLOR
My Lords, I must apologise for having put 317 the Question, and I hope that the right reverend Prelate may make his speech. I had in fact taken the voices. I had no idea that the right reverend Prelate wanted to speak on the Motion, and I should point out that I had in fact declared that the "Contents" have it.

THE LORD BISHOP OF COVENTRY
My Lords, I apologise. I did ask the Chairman of Committees for permission and I thought it had been granted. Perhaps I may briefly express the appreciation of a large number of my own Church at the very successful culmination of the talks between the two great Churches. It is a highly significant moment, because it is, I think, the first time since the Reformation that two Churches of different traditions have united. It is true that two Churches in Scotland united and two Methodist Churches united, but they were Churches within the same tradition. This is a remarkable fact, and I am delighted that the Dean of Westminster has given permission for the Abbey to be used on the occasion of the great service which is to mark this union. I am sure we should all like to express the hope that this may stimulate other successful schemes of union.

§ THE EARL OF LISTOWEL
My Lords, I am grateful to the right reverend Prelate for his comments. I am also grateful to him for having given me notice of the fact that he intended to speak shortly on the Bill, and I must apologise to him for not having passed this information to the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack.