Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

Lord Bishop of Carlisle Excerpts

Wednesday 4th February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bates]

The noble Lord, Lord Laming, speaks with great experience in these areas, and he is absolutely right that the terms of reference are critical. The Inquiries Act 2005 stipulates that the terms of reference must be drawn up with the chairman of the panel. I know that one of the first things that the Home Secretary will turn to is what the scope of the panel should be, so that we can ensure that we get to the truth as quickly and as expeditiously as possible.

[The Lord Bishop of Carlisle]

My Lords, I am afraid that this is not a question but a brief statement, if I may. On behalf of the Church of England, we welcome—

[Noble Lords]

Would the Minister agree!

[The Lord Bishop of Carlisle]

Thank you very much. Would the Minister agree that we in the Church of England welcome this inquiry hugely as well as the appointment of a new chair? We acknowledge our own failures as a church in the past, and assure the House that we have already instituted our own inquiries well in advance of the establishing of this panel. We will of course co-operate with the panel in absolutely every way we can.

[Lord Bates]

We are grateful for the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Carlisle’s statement on that. I do not think that any of us can claim to have got it absolutely right. The important thing is that we get it right going forward for the survivors.