HL Deb 21 April 1983 vol 441 cc669-70

5.18 p.m.

The Lord Bishop of Wakefield rose to move, That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.

The right reverend Prelate said: My Lords, this is the first occasion that I have had the honour to introduce to your Lordships' House legislative business proposed by the General Synod. The first of the Measures before the House this evening is the Miscellaneous Provisions Measure. Like its two predecessors, it is concerned with making minor amendments in the law on points of detail which are not contentious. We are seeking to ease and simplify the legal and administrative procedures of the Church at a number of specific points.

In brief, the purpose of this Measure is first to amend the new Parishes Measure 1943 in relation to the enlargement of existing sites of churches and church halls. The aim of the first four clauses of this Measure is to enable conveyancing of church property to be done more efficiently in certain specific transactions. The Measure also makes more comprehensive provision for the discharge of certain of a bishop's functions if he is ill or absent from his diocese. It amends, too, the constitution of appeals tribunals for the compensation of the clergy by increasing the number of clergy and laymen from whom the members of the tribunal are chosen.

In Clause 12 it transfers a house and muniment room in the Lichfield Cathedral Close to the ownership of the Diocesan Board of Finance when the present diocesan registrar vacates his office. There are also other small amendments to the law in the Measure.

This Measure first came before General Synod in July 1981, when it received general approval. A revision committee then scrutinised it very carefully and considered a number of suggestions made by individual members of Synod. A number of valuable amendments were made, and they were agreed to by General Synod at revision stage in February last year. The Measure received final approval in July 1982 in all three houses of Synod with no dissentient vote. Subsequently, counsel to the Ecclesiastical Committee suggested two drafting amendments. So the Measure was amended by General Synod and given final approval in February of this year. Once more it received approval with no dissentient votes.

The Ecclesiastical Committee have met and considered the Measure. They have expressed their opinion that it is expedient. I very much doubt whether your Lordships will wish me to detain the House with a more detailed exposition of the clauses. I would stress that they are the outcome of a long process of preparation and scrutiny. As I have indicated, they are mostly of a minor and technical nature, but they are helpful for the smoother administration of the Church in a number of specific ways. So I beg to move that the Miscellaneous Provisions Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.

Moved, That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent,—(The Lord Bishop of Wakefield.)

Lord Bishopston

My Lords, I am pleased to have the opportunity briefly to contribute to the Motion moved by the right reverend Prelate in support of the Church of England General Synod Measure which is now before the House. As your Lordships may know, I am a member of the Ecclesiastical Committee and also a Church Commissioner. I am pleased to support the Measure. The Measure, as the right reverend Prelate has said, does not effect major changes, but it would permit a number of detailed, uncontentious points to be resolved. This, it was thought, would help towards simplifying the Church's legal procedures. The Measure comes from the General Synod of the Church of England, has been considered to be expedient by the membership of Parliament's Ecclesiastical Committee, and should receive our support. I give the Measure a welcome.

Lord Amulree

My Lords, from these Benches I should like to support the Motion that the right reverend Prelate has moved. I hope that it will be agreed to by your Lordships.

On Question, Motion agreed to.