Archbishop of York Dr David Hope could have his duties increased in an effort to extend the Anglican church's international role.

A review carried out by former foreign secretary Lord Douglas Hurd urges that the Archbishop of Canterbury passes on many of his duties in Britain to his second-in-command Dr Hope.

That would leave him free to dedicate more time to the 25 million Anglicans living in 164 countries worldwide.

But a spokesman for Dr Hope said he would be concerned not to lose contact with his role in the community.

"The Archbishop of Canterbury has three roles," he said.

"One is as the head of the Anglican community worldwide, the second is as Archbishop in England and he is also the Bishop of Canterbury, just as Dr Hope is in York.

"One minute he could be in Botswana or the United States and the next be at a meeting as Bishop of Canterbury. That is what this review is looking at."

The review panel, set up by Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, favours an enhanced role for Dr Hope, giving him more responsibility for leading the House of Bishops, co-chairing the Archbishop's council and the General Synod.

But Dr Hope's spokesman said: "Any changes to the burden of his work could only be made after consultation with the diocese of York and the northern province.

"Dr Hope thinks that one of the great things of his job is that he can have interface with real people in the parish, and I know that he enjoys that more than any other aspect of the job. There would need to be discussion before any change in the balance of burden of his work.

"If it changes towards a much increased domestic role, he wouldn't be able to do christenings in Pocklington or adoption of a vicar in Whitby, which is exactly what he likes doing."

Updated: 08:46 Monday, June 18, 2001