HL Deb 06 July 1988 vol 499 cc248-9

2.45 p.m.

Lord Sudeley asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to make representations to the British Railways Board to mark the quincentenary of the birth of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1489 by naming a locomotive in his honour.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, we have no such plans.These are matters for the judgment of the British Railways Board.

Lord Sudeley

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer.Does he think it would be of benefit to the British Railways Board in these ecumenical times to commemorate a man who might be regarded as the founding father of worship in our mother tongue and the moving spirit of a book quoted as much as the Authorised Version.bearing particularly in mind that a locomotive has already been named after John Wesley?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, my noble friend is quite correct.A locomotive has already been named after John Wesley; and indeed one has been named after Charles Wesley.We understand that representations have been made to the British Railways Board to commemorate Archbishop Thomas Cranmer on a name plate.The board, which has a long waiting list, has decided that the case does not readily meet its criteria.

Lord Parry

My Lords, may I therefore put in a request on behalf of John the Baptist?

Lord Kinnaird

My Lords, one cannot say what Archbishop Cranmer would think of having a locomotive named after him.However, with all due respect to the right reverend Prelate, it might be much more interesting today if we could know the views of the Archbishop on the ordination of women as priests.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I think we are going off the track into a siding.

The Lord Bishop of Blackburn

My Lords, before we run into the buffers, will the Minister welcome the assurance given in another place about the proposal to hold a major exhibition to commemorate the quincentenary of Thomas Cranmer'? That exhibition will be held in the Great Hall of Lambeth Palace in September of next year and will be preceded by two public lectures to be given by Dr.Peter Brooks of Robinson College Cambridge.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I am perfectly certain that the whole House is delighted to hear that.