House of Lords: Prayers

Lord Hughes of Woodside Excerpts

Thursday 31st March 2011 Lords Chamber

[The Chairman of Committees]

The noble Lord makes some interesting points, but I am not sure that any of them require an answer from me.

[Lord Hughes of Woodside]

My Lords, I declare an interest as an honorary vice-president of the British Humanist Association. Without commenting on the established church, I will say that my personal preference is that we should not have Prayers at all. If we have to have an opening ceremony in which religion may play a part, will the Chairman of Committees make sure that the views of humanists are properly taken into account?

[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.