Urgent question on women bishops
22 November 2012 (updated on 22 November 2012)
Diana Johnson MP asked an urgent question in the House of Commons on 22 November 2012 on whether the Second Church Estates Commissioner would make a statement on the decision by the General Synod of the Church of England on women bishops.
Second Church Estates Commissioner, Tony Baldry MP, responded.
- Watch Parliament TV: Urgent question on women bishops
- Read Commons Hansard: Urgent question on women bishops
- Read current Parliamentary materials in Topics: Religion and faith communities
- Read current Parliamentary materials in Topics: Church and state
- The Church of England: News Release - General Synod Rejects Draft Legislation on Women Bishops (external website)
Second Church Estates Commissioner
The Second Church Estates Commissioner provides an important link between Government and the established Church, and answers oral and written questions from MPs about Church of England matters.
Urgent questions
At times MPs may want to put an urgent question to a Minister. If a matter of public importance has arisen, which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to the Speaker to put forward such a question.
The relevant government department would be informed at once. If the Speaker agrees, the question will be asked after that day’s Question Time.
Once the MP has asked the main question, they are allowed to ask a supplementary question. Other MPs will then be called to ask further questions on the same subject.