Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Worcester – “the established church is a significant force for good”.

On Wednesday 28th November 2018 Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the case for the disestablishment of the Church of England.” Several Members asked follow-up questions, including the Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, and a transcript of the exchanges is below:

Church of England: Disestablishment

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for the disestablishment of the Church of England.

Lord Young of Cookham (Con): My Lords, none. Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester – “the established church is a significant force for good”.”

Votes – Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill

On 27th November 2018 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill [HL]. Two bishops took part in a vote on an amendment from Baroness Watkins of Tavistock: Continue reading “Votes – Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill”

Bishop of St Albans calls for compulsory levy on gambling firms to fund research and treatment of gambling related harm

On 27th November 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question he had tabled to Goverment about gambling related harm. His follow up question and those of other Members is reproduced below:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the sufficiency of current industry contributions to efforts to reduce gambling-related harm.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans calls for compulsory levy on gambling firms to fund research and treatment of gambling related harm”

Bishop of Worcester raises need for more mental health crisis support for young people

On Tuesday 27th November 2018 Lord Storey asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to develop mental health support in schools.” The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, while I am grateful for the increased funding that is now available for mental health services for young people, is the Minister aware of the real difficulties facing young people in a crisis situation? I am thinking of a 14 year-old who asked his father to take him to the GP because he was afraid he might do something silly. The GP sat and listened very sympathetically, but then said, “I’m afraid there’s very little I can do for you. If I give you a referral to CAHMS you probably won’t get an appointment for a year”. Is that not a crisis situation? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester raises need for more mental health crisis support for young people”

Church Commissioners Written Answer – redundant churches

On 27th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question about support for redundant or under-utilised churches:

Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Church Commissioners receive from Her Majesty’s Government to enable them to maintain (a) redundant and (b) under-utilised churches. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer – redundant churches”

Church Commissioners Written Answer – charitable donations

On 27th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question about charitable donations:

Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church Commissioners have made of trends in the level of demand for charitable donations since 2010. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer – charitable donations”

Bishop of Durham on need to welcome refugee children on 80th anniversary of Kindertransport

durham-230117-bOn 26th November 2018 Lord Dubs led a short debate on the motion: ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the decision to allow Kindertransport children to come to the United Kingdom.’ The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, contributed to the debate:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I add my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, for securing this debate and for all he does as the living embodiment in this House of the Kindertransport legacy. It was also my privilege to be present at the event at the Friends’ meeting house a couple of weeks ago, which was deeply inspiring.

Continue reading “Bishop of Durham on need to welcome refugee children on 80th anniversary of Kindertransport”

Bishop of Worcester asks Government to support communities in case of shipyard closure

Worcester281117On 26th November 2018, Lord West of Spithead tabled an Oral Question ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the importance of the Appledore shipyard as part of the United Kingdom’s future shipbuilding strategy.’ The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, having been vicar of the parish in which the Swan Hunter shipyard was when that yard went into the hands of the receivers a number of years ago, I am acutely conscious of the devastating effect that such closures have not just upon individuals but upon whole communities. The Minister has acknowledged that. Will he undertake, if the yard does go under, to provide necessary assistance both to individuals and to the community, which will suffer terribly? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks Government to support communities in case of shipyard closure”

Church Commissioners Written Answer – Dean of Christ Church college Oxford

On 26th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question about the Dean of Christ Church college Oxford:

Asked by John Howell (Henley): To ask the Right Honourable Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what support is being provided to the dean of Christ Church college Oxford in his dispute with the college and cathedral authorities. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer – Dean of Christ Church college Oxford”

Week in Westminster, 19th-23rd November 2018

This week in Parliament bishops spoke on artificial intelligence, Brexit, and on Bills relating to consent in organ donation, and making homes fit for human habitation. They also asked questions on grade inflation, the two-child limit for benefit claims, Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, and elder abuse. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a question on Christians in the Middle East. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 19th-23rd November 2018”