House of Lords: Prayers

Lord Elton Excerpts

Thursday 31st March 2011 Lords Chamber

[The Chairman of Committees]

My Lords, the noble Lord questions why we have Prayers. It is a strength and a defining feature of the House that its practices are a matter for its own governance. These customs and practices can be altered, but after consideration by the Procedure Committee and then by the House as a whole. I remind noble Lords that attendance at Prayers is voluntary, not compulsory.

[Lord Elton]

My Lords, may I assure my noble friend that the concerns of humanists are entirely met by prayers by Christians in this Chamber every day?

[The Chairman of Committees]

Well, yes, my Lords.