On 2nd, 3rd & 4th April 2019 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received answers to three written questions on the benefit cap policy.
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the sample size used to inform the design of the benefit cap policy
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about benefit cap policy”
On 3rd April 2019 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question on tensions between Rwanda and Uganda.
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the rising tensions between Rwanda and Uganda; and what steps they have taken to reduce tensions.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about tensions between Rwanda and Uganda”
On 3rd April 2019 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received written answers to three questions on prosecutions for hare coursing.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
successful prosecutions for hare coursing there were in the UK in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, (3) 2015, (4) 2016, (5) 2017, and (6) 2018.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions for hare coursing were brought to trial which did not lead to a guilty verdict in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, (3) 2015, (4) 2016, (5) 2017, and (6) 2018. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about prosecutions for hare coursing”
On 3rd April 2019 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received written answers to two questions on street preachers.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they provide to police officers on dealing with incidents involving street preachers.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about guidance to police on street preachers”
On 2nd April 2019 the House of Lords debated a Government motion “That this House takes note of the seventieth anniversary of the founding of NATO and its continuing role in the United Kingdom’s defence and security.” The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Christopher Foster, spoke in the debate:
The Lord Bishop of Portsmouth: My Lords, it is as ever a pleasure to speak in your Lordships’ House, but today perhaps I feel the privilege especially. I cannot report that, 70 years ago, a Bishop contributed to this House’s debate on the founding of NATO. Without the personal, military, diplomatic or political experience to which the Minister alluded, I am grateful for the forbearance of your Lordships in listening to my contribution today.
Continue reading “Bishop of Portsmouth speaks on 70th anniversary of NATO”
The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord, Lord McInnes, for raising this important Question. I draw attention to my non-financial interest as a vice-president of the Leprosy Mission. I hasten to add that, to the best of my knowledge, that excellent organisation has not been infected by the scourge of corruption.
However, all of us involved in third sector aid must be vigilant and realistic about the temptations even for those whose careers and lives are essentially altruistic. The diocese I serve used to have what the Anglican Communion calls a companion link with a diocese in a very poor area of a very poor African country, where corruption is rife at all levels. We found it extremely difficult to support church work, rural clinics, schools and so on without significant amounts of money going astray—despite our best efforts as required by the Finance Act 2010 and by our own ethical standards.
On 1st April 2019 Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Government “whether they will take immediate steps to tackle the issue of rough sleeping.” The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a follow-up question:
The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, I thank the Minister for the answers he has given so far and for the Government’s investment. In the city of Peterborough we have seen, as in many other places, a large increase in rough sleeping. The third sector groups, including the churches, have been doing a great deal to support rough sleepers, but one of the problems we are very conscious of is how tight money is for local government. Does he agree that local government financial settlements could be part of the solution, with targeted money to local government specifically to help rough sleepers?
Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough asks Government about help for rough sleepers”
On 1st April 2019 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question on discussions with mining companies over dam safety:
Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar): 238387 To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church of England has had with the mining sector on improving the safety of tailings dams after the collapse of Vale dam in Brazil. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer: mining companies, dam safety”
On 1st April 2019 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered three written questions on the Commissioners’ forestry holdings:
Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith): 238374 To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to her oral contribution of 28 March 2019, Official Report on the Archbishop’s Council’s Strategic Development Fund, if she will publish the forestry holdings of the Church of England. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer: forestry and timberland holdings”
This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke on Brexit and the problems of abuse targeted at MPs. They asked questions about children’ mental health services, special educational needs, gambling-related suicides, online gambling, religious freedom, Yemen, air pollution, youth services in rural areas, and the Honours system. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions from MPs on digital connectivity, the 25th anniversary of the ordination of women, Easter church attendance, and land ownership.
The Church of England in Parliament 
You must be logged in to post a comment.