Church Commissioners

The hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

Parish Interregnums

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)
24. How many parishes had interregnums of more than three months last year.

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Stuart Bell)
The information is not held centrally.

Chris Bryant
It is a shame that the figure is not available, because we should know how many interregnums last for a substantial period during which many churchwardens and ordinary clergy are happy to take up the slack in parishes around the country. Will my hon. Friend pay tribute to the many clergy and churchwardens who are not only doing a fabulous job in their own parish but covering for others when there are prolonged periods without clergy in other parishes nearby?

Sir Stuart Bell
Of course, we pay respect and homage to all those within the Church who do their job and do their duty, certainly as regards the case that my hon. Friend mentions. I would point out to him that churches often find that a period of interregnum results in the congregation becoming more vibrant as greater numbers of parishioners participate. However, his point is well taken.

Equality Act Regulations

Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
25. What recent discussions the commissioners have had on the likely effect of the implementation of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 on parish ministries in areas of need.

Sir Stuart Bell
The Archbishops Council has been giving careful consideration to the effect of the regulations and will be producing general advice. [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker
Order. It is unfair to the hon. Gentleman for hon. Members to make so much noise. I ask them to be quiet. There are only a few minutes to go.

Mr. Bone
I appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s reply, but does he agree that it would have been better if there had been more discussion about those regulations and Members of this House had been allowed to speak on them before the decision was made?

Sir Stuart Bell
That is of course a matter for the House authorities, not for me. I would, however, say that the regulations contain a set of exceptions for religious organisations, broadly equivalent to those in the Equality Act 2006, and it is for individual parishes to decide whether to take advantage of those exceptions.