House of Lords: Prayers

Lord St John of Fawsley Excerpts

Thursday 31st March 2011 Lords Chamber

[The Chairman of Committees]

I am sure that the right reverend Prelate is right. If there are further recommendations for changes to the Prayers used, I would be happy to look at them.

[Lord St John of Fawsley]

Does the Chairman of Committees agree that he has expressed the view of most Members of the House, though not all? I agree with him entirely that we must not interfere with the rights of the Lords Spiritual. At the same time, I believe in the idea behind this Question. We can best meet it by respectfully and humbly offering advice to the right reverend Prelates either in private or in public. Is he aware that I have put down a Question for Short Debate which contains the suggestion that we have a debate on the ecumenical movement between different churches and faiths? May I suggest that we have it in the dinner hour as the noble Lord would then be in peril of hearing me speak, which would get him out of purgatory?

[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.