HL Deb 12 February 2003 vol 644 c121WA
Baroness Perry of Southwark

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the Church of England is a public authority within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998. [HL1365]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

The exercise of public functions by an organisation may bring those activities within the ambit of the Human Rights Act 1998. It would, however, be for a court or tribunal to decide in individual cases whether an organisation is a public authority or, if not, whether it is nevertheless to be regarded as a public authority because it performs certain functions of a public nature. The application of the Human Rights Act 1998 is among the matters at issue in the case ofAston Cantlow and Wilmcote with Billesley Parochial Church Council v Wallhank and another which is to be heard by the House of Lords later this year.