MPs have approved a measure that will require Winchester and Salisbury cathedrals to have new power and organisational structures in common with all Church of England cathedrals.

The measure, recommended after a review by a Church of England commission and supported by the Church's general synod, is intended to modernise and standardise the way in which all cathedrals are run.

They will be governed by a chapter of churchmen and lay people, supported by a finance committee and accountable to a larger council whose chairman will be chosen by the bishop. However, cathedrals will be allowed flexibility within this framework to incorporate their traditions and local ways of operating.

The measure, passed by the House of Commons without a vote after being approved by an ecclesiastical committee of Parliament, was welcomed by Salisbury MP Robert Key although he said ancient statutes worked well in most cathedrals.

He said: "The measure is intended to spread good practice. Those of us who serve in cathedrals are proud to do so and the measure gives an added dimension to the quality of our lives while hopefully giving something back to the community.''

However, Mr Key spoke of his deep regret of the dis-missal of Martin Neary, the Westminster Abbey organist who was previously master of music at Winchester Cathedral.

In due course he said proposals may be put to change the governance of Westminster Abbey and a handful of other prominent places of worship which are Royal Peculiars and technically the responsibility of the Queen rather than Parliament.

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