Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords led a debate on local welfare assistance for those in crisis and took part in debates on the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, the Deregulation Bill and the Recall of MPs Bill.
They also asked questions on criminal proceedings for vulnerable adults, local welfare assistance schemes, local enterprise partnerships, voter registration, press freedom in Egypt and vacant properties.
Bishops took part in divisions on the Recall of MPs Bill and the Deregulation Bill.
In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question on chancel repair liability.
Monday 9 February
The Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered a written question on church repair and maintainance.
Tuesday 10 February
The Bishop of Truro, Rt Rev Tim Thornton, led a debate in the House “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local welfare assistance schemes provide effective support to people in crisis and will continue to be able to do so”. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Rev Christopher Foster, also spoke in the debate.
Earlier, the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, asked a supplementary question 
on the financing of local welfare assistance schemes.
The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer to a written question on support for vulnerable defendants in the criminal justice system.
The Bishop of Chester, Rt Rev Peter Forster, spoke during debate on amendments to the Recall of MPs Bill at Report Stage. Three bishops also took part in a division on the Recall of MPs Bill.
Wednesday 11 February
The Bishop of Worcester asked a supplementary question on the effect of local enterprise partnerships on the economy and key skills in their local areas.
The Bishop of St Albams asked a supplementary question on the Government’s plans to allow pupils to register to vote in schools, sixth form and further education colleges.
The Bishop of Worcester also spoke in favour of an amendment to the Deregulation Bill prohibiting parking on pavements and verges. The amendment was withrawn after it had been debated.
Bishops also took part in divisions on the Deregulation Bill.
Thursday 12 February
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd James Langstaff, asked a supplementary question about the Government’s efforts to reduce the number of residential properties left vacant by their owners.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, 
spoke in support of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, during its Second 
Reading in the House of Lords. The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, who is the Convenor of the Lords Spiritual, also spoke in favour of the bill. The full transcript of the debate can be read here.
The Bishop of St Albans received an answer to a written question on the subject of press freedom in Egypt.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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