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Lord Scriven (LD)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 31 March 2025

Debate

Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners’ Liability) Measure

Contribution

My Lords, I wish to follow on the noble Lord’s last comment: of course they would not, because the Methodist Church is not the established Church. That is why we are discussing this issue: because it is the established Church. I think that most people watching this—I declare my interest as a member of the National Secular Society—will be surprised that, in 2025, we have to debate this based on the established Church and the archaic nature of one Church in this land. I appreciate that the right reverend Prelate has to come and speak to this Measure because of the position that the established Church is in and the privilege that the Bishops sometimes get to be able to plead to Parliament about some special interest for the established Church, but I wish to place on record not just my voice but that of many people. The very fact that we have an established Church and these archaic rules means that this Parliament has to take this up. It would be better, eventually, for the Church to be disestablished and to be in control of its own rules and laws and not subject to the need for Parliament and parliamentary time.

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