Jerusalem is a favourite choice for crowds cheering on England at rugby and cricket matches An MP has suggested heterosexual couples are being discriminated against because they are unable to sing the hymn Jerusalem at their weddings.Labour's Chris Bryant said it was banned by many churches because it was "not addressed to God", yet banned from civil ceremonies for being religious.
But he told MPs that, under government plans, gay couples who have a civil partnership will be allowed to sing it.
He said he wanted to ensure it was "not just reserved for homosexuals."
The words of Jerusalem are a poem by William Blake, which starts: "And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green?"
It has become a favourite choice for crowds cheering on England at rugby and cricket matches, and was also included in Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding ceremony.
But in the past, a number of major churches, including Southwark Cathedral in London, have banned it on the grounds that it is too nationalistic.
'Every occasion'Mr Bryant, who is himself gay, called for a Commons debate on the matter, telling MPs: "If you're a heterosexual couple and you get married in church many clergy will refuse to allow it to be sung because it's not a hymn addressed to God.
"If you get married as a straight couple in a civil wedding you're point blank not allowed it because it's a religious song.
"If, however, you're a gay couple and you have a civil partnership, under the government plans you will be allowed to sing Jerusalem.
"So can we just make sure that Jerusalem is not just reserved for homosexuals."
His comments were met with laughter in the House.
In response, Commons leader Sir George Young said: "I think Jerusalem should be played on every possible occasion."
Mr Bryant, who is MP for Rhondda and a former Foreign Office minister, made history in 2010 when he and his partner took part in the first civil partnership ceremony to be held in the Palace of Westminster.
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