On 14th May the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage:
The Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on payment of emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage overseas. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about forced marriage victims”
This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke in debates on the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, the current situation in Myanmar, the Refugee (Family Reunion) Bill and the Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill. They also responded to a Government statement on the Iran Nuclear Deal and asked a question about strengthening the family. Bishops also voted on amendments to the Government’s EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 7th May – 11th May 2018”
On the 11th May 2018 the Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke during the Committee Stage debate of the Refugee (Family Reunion) Bill. Bishop Peter intervened during the debate on an amendment from Lord Marlesford to limit the number of family members who can be relocated. The Bishop disagreed with the amendment and believed it was drawn too narrowly. The amendment from Lord Marlesford was withdrawn at the end of the debate and the Bill will proceed to its next stage. The whole debate can be read at the link below.
Continue reading “Bishop of Chester affirms the importance of hospitality and welcome for refugees”
On the 11th May 2018 the Bishop of Chester spoke during the second reading of Baroness Deech’s Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill. The Bishop spoke about the developments in the approach taken by the Church of England to divorce and supported the outline of the Bill. Bishop Peter highlighted concerns regarding areas of the Bill relating to children, premarital assets and the need for a more adequate safety net. Baroness Vere of Norbiton responded to the debate for the Government and her comments can be found below. The Bill was read a second time and has moved to Committee Stage.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I join others in congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, for her persistence and perseverance in bringing this Bill forward and for her very elegant opening speech.
On the 10th May 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith spoke in Baroness Anelay’s debate about recent developments in Myanmar. Bishop Alan spoke about the continued hostilities against minority communities in Myanmar and highlighted the importance of reconciliation work with young people to create a mutual commitment to peace and the cessation of violence. Lord Ahmad responded to the debate for the Government and his comments can be seen below.
On the 10th May 2018 the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke in a debate hosted by Lord Faulkner of Worcester about the Scrap Metal Dealers Act. Bishop Peter welcomed the act and the reduction of thefts but highlighted the need to tighten up the act and questioned whether sentencing of criminals of metal theft truly reflected the impact and scale of this particular type of theft to the historic building and the local community. Baroness Williams responded for the Government, her remarks can be found below.
Continue reading “Bishop of Chester highlights continued need to combat metal theft from churches”
On 9th May 2018, Lord Ahmad repeated a statement given in the House of Commons on the Iran Nuclear Deal. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster responded.
Continue reading “Bishop of Chester responds to a Government statement on the Iran Nuclear Deal”
On 9th May Lord Farmer asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the policies recommended in the Manifesto to Strengthen Families, published on 6 September 2017; and what steps they plan to take in response to those recommendations.” The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow-up question:
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, prior to publication of the manifesto, the previous Prime Minister declared that a family test would be applied to all government policy. Would this not require not just a Cabinet-level overseer but for each department to have someone responsible for applying the family test? Does that exist? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks Government about the family test”
On 8th May 2018 the House of Lords considered amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill at its Report Stage. The Bishops of Ely, Leeds and St Albans took part in the four votes:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds moved amendment 93, before clause 14, to insert the new clause Future interaction with the law and agencies of the EU.
Contents: 298 | Not Contents: 227 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishops of Ely, Leeds and St Albans voted content.
The Duke of Wellington moved amendment 85, in clause 14, page 10, line 40, to leave out from “means” to end of line 41 and insert “such day as a Minister of the Crown may by regulations appoint (and see subsection (2));”.
Contents: 311 | Not Contents: 233 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishops of Leeds and St Albans voted content.
Lord Alli moved amendment 110A, in clause 19, page 15, line 21, at end to insert:
“(2B) But none of the remaining provisions may come into force until it is a negotiating objective of the Government to ensure that an international agreement has been made which enables the United Kingdom to continue to participate in the European Economic Area after exit day.
(2C) Regulations under this Act may not repeal or amend subsection (2B).”
Contents: 247 | Not Contents: 218 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishops of Ely and Leeds voted content.
Lord Lisvane moved amendment 70, in Schedule 7, page 44, line 35, to leave out from beginning to end of line 20 on page 45 and insert:
Parliamentary committees to sift regulations made under section 7, 8, 9 or 17.
Contents: 225 | Not Contents: 194 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishop of Leeds voted content.
(Via Parliament.uk)
On 8th May 2018, the House of Lords considered the Government’s EU Withdrawal Bill at report stage. The Bishop of Leeds spoke to propose an amendment about the future relationship of the UK with EU agencies and law after exit day. The amendment was passed, with 298 peers content, and 227 not content.
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I move this amendment for two principal reasons: first, in order to assist the Government in their shaping of their case for the UK’s future relationship with the European Union post Brexit; secondly, because it is consistent with Amendment 49, which was passed earlier on Report. Continue reading “EU Withdrawal Bill: Bishop of Leeds moves an amendment on future interaction with the law and agencies of the EU”
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