Planned maintenance on parliament.uk
This website will be unavailable from 9pm on Friday 11 October for essential maintenance. It will be available again by 1am on Saturday 12 October.
Members debate Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill
11 September 2024
Members of the House of Lords debated the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill, on Tuesday 10 September.
The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill aims to increase the number of women bishops in the Lords by extending the period in which vacancies among the Lords Spiritual are to be filled by bishops who are women, until 2030.
Debate on the draft law
During second reading, members discussed the main topics of the bill and drew attention to concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) may be needed.
Members speaking
Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour), Leader of the House of Lords, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.
Contributing members included:
- Baroness Brinton (Liberal Democrats), vice-president of the Bible Society
- Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative), former Minister of State in the Cabinet Office
- Bishop of Derby, first female bishop of the Church of England
- Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour), lecturer in history and politics, Ebbw College of Further Education.
Catch up
- Watch the Parliament TV recording.
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript.
Explore further information
Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.
Next steps
Committee stage, the first chance for line by line examination of the bill, is scheduled for Wednesday 16 October.
Image: Roger Harris