§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will seek an early legislative opportunity to relieve priests of the Church of England170W and the Roman Catholic Church from disqualification as hon. Members of the House; and if he will make a statement; [130663]
(2) what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the disqualification of priests of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church from membership of the House with the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. [130664]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe disqualification of priests from standing or acting as Members of Parliament was the subject of a Private Member's Bill in June 1999. Since this measure was lost, we have been sounding out opinion of the relevant churches in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, there is no immediate prospect of legislation being brought forward by the Government.
The question of compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights would be a matter for those bringing forward a relevant Bill.