During this debate many hon. Members have asked the Government to take account of unintended consequences, and I humbly suggest that I am pointing
out an unintended consequence of the amendments tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset.
We have heard several mentions in the debate of the support afforded to the Bill by the Archbishop of Westminster, who welcomed
“the decision of Her Majesty’s Government to give heirs to the throne the freedom to marry a Catholic”.
Importantly, he also recognised the importance of the position of the established Church in protecting and fostering the role of faith in our society. I balance that against the Church of England’s comments, which are likewise supportive. Given that both the Catholic Church and the Church of England have been extremely supportive of the changes, I believe that we have found an appropriate balance in the Bill. I do not think there is an appetite in the country at large to change or damage the position of the established Church in this country.