Pete Wilcox, the Bishop of Sheffield, took part in a discussion in the House of Lords on Monday 14^th October. Additional comments came from a Green Party member of Parliament, Baroness Jenny Jones of Moulsecoomb. She spoke about a “The most reverend Primate of England—and the world—the Archbishop of Canterbury actually gave way to me once, for which I was very grateful” The Labour minister, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal, Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon, stated “Bishops have given way to her. There is no rule that says that you must give way to a Bishop; it is through courtesy, and we would expect to hear from the Bishops, as we hear from other sections of the House.” Here are the full comments from Pete Wilcox, Baroness Jenny Jones of Moulsecoomb and Baroness Smith of Basildon. The whole of the discussion can be found here.

The Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, it is surely a very good thing that the dealings of this Chamber are broadcast live, but it does mean that our interactions with one another are witnessed far beyond this place. Can the noble Baroness tell the House whether any attempt is made to monitor or record comments from the public in reaction to the broadcasts and, if so, what use is made of that feedback?

Baroness Smith of Basildon: My Lords, from time to time we see reports in the press or polls are undertaken in response. One that struck me most recently said how little people understood the work we do in this House. That is incumbent on us all, not just in our behaviour but in our explanation about what we do. Perhaps we ought to think a little more, particularly when we have debates on some of our very specialised reports or the detail of legislation, about how we can broadcast that more widely, so that people understand what goes on in this Chamber.

Two other House of Lords members spoked and then Jones spoked

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: My Lords, there is something I find quite puzzling sometimes, and that is that we have to give way to our right reverend friends the Bishops. I do not understand why that happens. Could the Leader explain that? They always make a very good contribution, but they do have loud voices and can speak up just as we can. The most reverend Primate of England—and the world—the Archbishop of Canterbury actually gave way to me once, for which I was very grateful.

Baroness Smith of Basildon: I think the noble Baroness made the point; Bishops have given way to her. There is no rule that says that you must give way to a Bishop; it is through courtesy, and we would expect to hear from the Bishops, as we hear from other sections of the House.