Member

Mr Hatcher, Reader of the Temple, did a survey of the Bishops—I do not know whether right reverend Prelates here today were victims of it—in which he asked their opinion of various things and what they thought their role was. They said that they wished to speak for people of faith in their diocese—and I think their territorial role is very important, actually—but that, surprisingly, they did not speak in this House for the Church of England. Noble Lords may think that very odd; surely that is what they are supposed to do. I think not. They are not supposed to have one voice and one line. They are not a trade union for a particular denomination; they are individual Christian voices. That needs to be thought about and, if possible, respected. You could say they are like Cross-Benchers who wear dog collars and lawn sleeves. That is the spirit of what they are—or, at least, what they should be.