Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on affordable childcare, plain packaging of cigarettes and support for interpreters working in conflict zones.
The bishops also asked questions on access to justice, religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq and Syria, homelessness, forestry and food security
The Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Canon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered questions on funding mission and ministry and on Richard III and welcomed the Budget announcement of extra funding for church roof repairs.
Monday 16th March
The Bishop of St Albans received answers to two written questions on (i) food security, and (ii) the future of displaced Syrians.
The Bishop of Peterborough spoke in support of the motion to approve the ‘Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015′, to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes.
Tuesday 17th March
The Bishop of St Albans asked the Government if they have plans to increase the public forest estate. He also received three written answers to questions of Government about assistance to civilians displaced by conflict in Syria and Iraq.
Wednesday 18th March
The Bishop of Rochester asked a question on the Government’s response to a report on access to justice.
The Bishop of Derby spoke in a debate on the protection of interpreters and translators working in conflict zones, and also in a debate on affordable childcare.
The Bishop of St Albans received an answer to a written question on Government statistics on homelessness.
Thursday 19th March
The Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Canon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered written questions from Anne McIntosh MP relating to the funding of mission & ministry in the Church of England and Hugh Bayley MP relating to the reburial of King Richard III.
The Bishop of Winchester asked Government about support for religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq and Syria.
Friday 20th March
Delivering his final speech in Parliament, Rt Hon Canon Sir Tony Baldry MP welcomed the announcement in the Budget for extra funding for church roof repairs.
