HL Deb 22 July 2002 vol 638 cc28-9WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they would support the choice of Archbishop of Canterbury being made by the Church of England without the intervention of the Prime Minister of the day; and, if not, why not. [HL4559]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The appointment of the Leader of the Established Church is of importance to the country as a whole. The involvement of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister reflects this wider public interest and is also a symbol of the link between Church and nation. If the Church were to wish to propose a different method of appointment, the Government would of course consider it carefully. However, the General Synod recently voted by a substantial majority in favour of the current system.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government.

What political and religious criteria are used by the Prime Minister in deciding how to advise Her Majesty about the appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury. [HL5174]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

In the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister benefits from the advice of the Crown Appointments Commission, a Church body responsible for nominating two candidates for the Archbishopric to my right honourable friend.

The commission and my right honourable friend take a wide range of criteria into account. Party political criteria are not among them.