Member

The noble Viscount was mistaken in saying that the Bishops are not a land-owning interest any more; they are collectively a land-owning interest, and a very big one—although, of course, less than they were. Bishops used to be, for example, Lord Chancellors. Today, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Bristol led us in our prayers; 300 years ago, her predecessor was the Lord Privy Seal. I wonder whether the present Lord Privy Seal, having to put up with rather a lot, might like to swap roles with the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Bristol today.