HL Deb 29 July 2002 vol 638 c131WA
Baroness Turner of Camden

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Given that the Ecclesiastical Committee is unable under its term of reference to receive representatives from the union to which members of the clergy belong, they will reconsider the position of the clergy and their rights as employees. [HL5102]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The functions and powers of the Ecclesiastical Committee are set out in the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, as amended, and relate to the consideration of measures approved by the General Synod. We are considering the employment status of the clergy in our review of employment status in relation to statutory employment rights. As part of this review, we published a discussion document on 11 July 2002.