Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament by the Lords Spiritual and the Second Church Estates Commissioner.
In the past week, Bishops in the House of Lords have spoken in debates on the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill and the rural economy.
They have also put questions to the Government on busking, the needs of dyslexics in higher education, National Voter Registration Day 2015, violence in the Middle East, sexual violence in Syria, protection of civilians in South Sudan, and the appointment of the next Bishop of Guildford.
In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner has answered a written question on the subject of apprentices and spoken about the role of Leicester Cathedral in commemorating King Richard III.
Monday 30 June
Busking – Oral question
Lord Clement-Jones asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the link between busking and crime and disorder; and what plans they have to issue revised guidance on the use of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in respect of busking. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a supplementary question which can be read here.
Needs of Dyslexics in higher education – Oral question
Lord Addington asked Her Majesty’s Government how the assessment of complex needs for dyslexics will be achieved under the new Disabled Students’ Allowance arrangements. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a supplementary question which can be read here.
Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – Debate
The Bishop of Oxford took part in the Second Reading debate on the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill. During his speech he focused on two particular areas of concern – the proper care of troubled children and the role of ‘secure colleges’ and the need for a fair and effective system of judicial review and legal aid to be available to all, regardless of their material situation.
The Bishop said, “It is disturbing when the Bar Council says that when combined with other recent government measures for changing the law of judicial review, these changes, if enacted in their current form, will immunise government and other public authorities from effective legal challenge”
A full transcript of the speech is available here.
Apprentices – Written Question
The Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered a written question on behalf of the Church Commissioners, on the subject of apprentices. The original question, and its answer from Sir Tony Baldry can be read here.
Tuesday 1 July
National Voter Registration Day 2015 – Oral question
Lord Storey aske
d Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage educational establishments to take part in National Voter Registration Day 2015. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question which can be read here.
Violence in the Middle East – Oral question
Baroness Warsi made a statement on the Middle East Peace Process. 
The Bishop of Derby asked a question about what the government is doing to promote a measured response to the recent events in the Holy Land. The original question, and its answer can be read here.
The importance of Leicester Cathedral in commemorating King Richard III – Oral Question
The Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, took part in oral questions to the Secretary of State for Justice. He asked a supplementary question on the commemoration of King Richard III, which was answered by the Minister of State, the Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP. Their exchange can be read here.
Wednesday 2 July
Sexual Violence in Syria – Oral Question
Baroness Jenkin of Kennington asked Her Majesty’s Government for their assessment of the alleged sexual violence crimes committed against Syrian civilians in Syria.The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, asked a supplementary question which can be read here.
Protection of Civilians in South Sudan – Written Question
The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, received answers to three written questions on South Sudan. The original questions and their answers from Baroness Warsi are available here.
Thursday 3 July
Progress of Women Bishops Legislation – Oral Question
Lord Trefgarne asked Her Majesty’s Government whether the Prime Minister is yet in a position to make a recommendation to Her Majesty the Queen in respect of a new Bishop for Guildford. The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, asked a supplementary question which can be read here.
Rural Economy and Rural Schools – Debate
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, took part in a debate on the rural economy, led by the Earl of Shrewsbury. The Bishop spoke about the need for intentional support for the many micro-businesses that make up the rural economy, and also for greater personal investment in rural schools, particularly through an increase in the number of foundation governors supporting rural schools.
The Bishop said, “I very much hope that the Department for Education will not resort to a philosophy of “the weakest to the wall” with these small schools because small rural schools are so often worth their weight in gold, as the heart and hub of our rural communities. The Church of England will publish a report very soon on how to support our rural schools effectively”.
A full transcript of the speech is available here.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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