House of Commons · Bill Debate
18 December 2024 · 3 other contributors
Opened by Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Abena Oppong-Asare raised concerns about the lords spiritual (women) act 2015 extension bill - clause 1 - extension of the lords spiritual (women) act 2015 by five years in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Question put and agreed to. Clause 1 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. The Bill was read the Third time and passed, without amendment.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The Minister proposes to extend the provisions of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 for an additional five years until May 2030, in accordance with the request from the Church of England. This extension aims to continue filling vacancies among the Lords Spiritual preferentially by the most senior eligible female bishop over male bishops where possible. The Bill has wide cross-party support and no amendments have been tabled to challenge its aim.
The MP supports the extension of the Act, noting that it has already been successful in allowing five out of six women bishops to be appointed earlier than they otherwise would have. He asks if the Government foresees another five-year extension after this period.
The MP thanks those who worked on the Bill and acknowledges its continued positive effects, including enabling women bishops to enter the House of Lords earlier. He expresses gratitude for the co-operative spirit in which the official Opposition have approached the Bill.
The MP and her Liberal Democrat colleagues are supportive of extending this legislation to address gender imbalance among Lords Spiritual, aiming for a more representative second Chamber.