Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Nick Boles

Thursday 15th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

2. What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the appointment by the Church of England of its first female bishop; and if she will make a statement.

[The Minister for Skills and Equalities (Nick Boles)]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and I congratulate Libby Lane on becoming the new Bishop of Stockport and the first female bishop in the Church of England. I am delighted to see the Church of England moving into the 21st century, at least in this respect.

[Mike Freer]

Does the Minister agree that at last we have a great role model for the Church of England and girls in this country?

[Nick Boles]

I do agree with my hon. Friend. Role models such as Libby Lane are very important, which is why the Government are supporting schemes such as “Your Life” and “Inspiring Women”, which is led by the formidably impressive lawyer, Miriam Gonzales. I believe that her husband has a job, too, but I think we can all agree that she is the role model in that family.