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 recent flooding and spoke in debates on Lords powers, the NHS and the protection of cultural property in armed conflict. They also took part in debates on the Government’s Trade Union Bill and Welfare Reform and Work Bill. Bishops also asked questions on rough sleeping and human rights in China and in Eritrea. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on flooding, roof repairs and preparedness for the EU referendum.
Wednesday 30th December
The Bishop of St Albans received an answer to a written question concerning the detention of Chinese Human Rights lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang
Monday 11th January
The Bishop of Rochester asked a question about rough sleepers.
The Bishop also spoke during the Second Reading debate of the Government’s Trade Union Bill.
Tuesday 12th January
The Bishop of St Albans asked a question about human rights in Eritrea.
The Bishop of Rochester co-sponsored an amendment on supported housing to the Welfare Reform and Work Bill.
Wednesday 13th January
The Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a question on flooding in Blackburn diocese.
The Bishop of Rochester spoke in a debate on the Strathclyde Review into powers of the Lords.
Thursday 14th January
The Bishop of Leeds led a debate on flooding, in which the Bishop of St Albans also spoke.
Both the Bishops of Leeds and St Albans also spoke in a debate on the NHS.
The Bishop of Portsmouth spoke in a debate about protecting cultural property in armed conflict.
The Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on EU exit vote preparedeness and church roof repairs.