Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Guildford asks about government response to recent violence in India

The Bishop of Guildford received the following written answer on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Guildford asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what representations they have made, if any, to the government of India about reported violence in Manipur State; and in particular, whether they have urged that government (1) to protect vulnerable communities in the state, and (2) to constrain Hindu nationalist narratives in the country which exacerbate communal tensions.
  • what steps they have taken, if any, to assist in the government of India in facilitating the return of members of tribal communities who have been displaced from their homes by violence in India’s Manipur State.
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Bishop of St Albans asks about funding for community choirs

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how much funding they provided for community choirs in each of the past three years.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con): His Majesty’s Government recognises the huge contribution cultural groups and organisations make, not only to the economy and international reputation of the United Kingdom, but also to the wellbeing and enrichment of its people. Local choirs are an important part of many people’s lives across the UK, providing a creative outlet and strong sense of community, as well as an accessible, enjoyable cultural experience enjoyed by people of all ages.

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Bishop of Exeter asks about diseases and invasive insects affecting the health of trees

The Bishop of Exeter received the following written answers on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Exeter asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of acute oak decline in the UK; and what steps they are taking to minimise its impact.

Lord Benyon (Con): We have a dedicated programme of risk and horizon scanning, which continuously and proactively assesses emerging threats to plant health and the potential impact on the UK.

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Coroners (Determination of Suicide) Bill [HL]: Bishop of St Albans moves that bill should pass

On 16th June 2023, the Bishop of St Albans’ Coroners (Determination of Suicide) Bill – which would require Coroners to enter a verdict on the case of suicide, with a view to ascertaining if the suicide was related to gambling – had its third reading in the House of Lords and passed to the House of Commons:  

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: That the Bill do now pass.

I hope noble Lords will grant me the indulgence of saying a few words about this Bill. In so doing, I declare my interest as a vice-chairman of Peers for Gambling Reform and a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I express my appreciation for those Members of the House who have been so helpful. This is the third iteration of this Bill that I have brought before your Lordships’ House, and I believe it has been radically improved. I thank my parliamentary researchers past and present, Sam Parker and Chris Grozdoski, and in particular the noble and learned Lord, Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood, and the noble Lord, Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, for their advice and valuable suggestions. I also thank members of Peers for Gambling Reform for their steadfast support as we have taken this Private Member’s Bill through your Lordships’ House.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about increased rates of tuberculosis in Sudan

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 16th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the surge in tuberculosis cases in Sudan; and what steps they are taking to provide medical aid to that country.

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Bishop of Durham asks about cap on social security benefits

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 16th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government, whether they intend to abolish the benefit cap following their research which found that only five per cent of affected households moved into work as a result of it.

Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con): The benefit cap continues to provide a work incentive and fairness for hard-working taxpaying households, whilst providing a reasonable safety net of support for the most vulnerable. The Government firmly believes that where possible it is in the best interests of children to be in working households and the benefit cap provides a clear incentive to move into work.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about exemptions from ban on sale of horticultural peat

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 16th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what exemptions will there be to the general ban on the sale of peat and peat-containing products in the retail horticultural sector from 2024.

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Church Commissioner Questions: choirs, clergy, rural parishes, families

On 15th June 2023 MPs put questions to Andrew Selous MP, Second Church Estates Commissioner, in the House of Commons:

Church Choirs: Engagement with Local Schools

Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con): What steps the Church of England is taking to encourage church choirs to engage with local schools. (905370)

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Andrew Selous): The Church of England has enthusiastically supported the Government’s Sing Up programme, encouraging local music hubs to partner with churches, and enabling the use of skills and knowledge that schools would otherwise have to buy in. I am sure that my right hon. Friend, as a strong supporter of singing in church, will very much approve.

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Illegal Migration Bill: Bishop of Durham supports Archbishop of Canterbury’s amendment on international refugee strategy

During a debate on committee amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill on 14th June 2023, the Bishop of Durham spoke in support of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s amendment to establish a long term strategy on tackling global refugee crises:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, the most reverend Primate might be nervous—he did not know I was going to stand up and he has no clue about what I will say. But I will start by saying I fully support his amendment. I will ask the Minister about the Global Compact on Refugees. The UN has been seeking to develop a global strategy on refugees for a number of years, and it was my privilege to join the Home Office team dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis in Geneva in 2018, at its request. It asked me to make an address.

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Illegal Migration Bill: Archbishop of Canterbury tables amendment requiring government collaboration strategy to tackle global refugee crisis

On 14th June 2023, the House of Lords debated committee amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill. The Archbishop of Canterbury tabled an amendment that would insert a new clause requiring the Secretary of State to have a ten year strategy for collaborating internationally to tackle refugee crises driving people to enter the UK as refugees:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I hope this section may be a bit shorter. As the noble Lord, Lord Deben, already knows, because he just said it, I am rising to introduce Amendment 139D tabled in my name and Amendment 144B, which is consequential to it. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy of The Shaws, and the noble Lords, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth and Lord Blunkett, for co-signing it. I have had letters of apology from the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy, and the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, who are not able to be here for very good and sufficient reasons.

I particularly appreciate when we come to this that the Government are taking action—I am not suggesting for a moment that they are not. The Chişinău statement made in Moldova recently by the Prime Minister was striking, as were the recent raids by the National Crime Agency in tackling criminals involved in this area.

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