Oral Answers to Questions

Cheryl Gillan Excerpts
Thursday 25th June 2020

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—
Cheryl Gillan Portrait Dame Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) (Con)
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When the Church Commissioners plan to reopen churches for services as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Felicity Buchan Portrait Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)
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When the Church Commissioners plan to reopen churches for services as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

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Andrew Selous Portrait The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Andrew Selous)
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The last three months have been the first time in more than 800 years that England has gone without public worship and the sacraments, so there is real joy that we can meet again, socially distanced, from 4 July. I can give an assurance that the personal safety of clergy who are shielding should be prioritised and they can continue to do their duties remotely.

Cheryl Gillan Portrait Dame Cheryl Gillan [V]
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The self-sacrifice of so many people during the extreme lockdown period will have saved many lives, but one of the great sacrifices for many people will have been the inability to attend church physically and to have had to cancel weddings, baptisms and other deeply significant ceremonies. I understand my hon. Friend had to cancel his own daughter’s wedding last Saturday, and I wish her and her fiancé all the best. Will he now confirm that their wedding, as well as many others, can now go ahead in safety in church with 30 guests, and when does he expect the number of guests to be increased to reflect the capacity of the church being used and the new 1 metre-plus rule?

Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous
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I thank my right hon. Friend for her kind good wishes, which are greatly appreciated. As she said, weddings can now take place from 4 July, but only with a maximum of 30 people. This is a huge relief to many couples throughout the country. For church services, there is no maximum number within a place of worship as long as the premises comply with covid-secure guidelines.