THE steering committee appointed by the General Synod to prepare fresh legislation for admitting women to the episcopate (News, 12 July; 26 July) met for the first time last week.

The group, which is composed of 16 members, met last Thursday and Friday in Coventry. Five of its members voted against the women-bishops Measure last November. The committee will present draft legislation at the Synod meeting in November.

A statement from Church House said: "The committee considered a first draft of the Measure and amending canon as requested by Synod, and also looked at the possible shape of a declaration from the House of Bishops and a mandatory grievance procedure. The discussions were serious, honest, and constructive."

The committee is scheduled to meet again on 11 and 12 October.