Bishop of Derby discusses committee report on sexual violence in conflict

Derby 191115cOn 10th October 2016, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne moved the motion “that this House takes note of the Report from the Sexual Violence in Conflict Committee (Session 2015–16, HL Paper 123).” The Bishop of Derby, the Rt. Revd. Alastair Redfern, who was a member of the Committee, spoke in the debate.


The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I, too, served on the committee, and it was a great privilege to be part of it. I pay tribute to the expert chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Nicholson. We were, to put it mildly, a diverse group, but she held us together, and we produced a report that will be significant as a foundation, as other noble Lords have said. I also offer my congratulations to the Minister, who leads by great example, as seen not just at the recent meeting at the UN in September but in all kinds of ways. She has been an encouragement and a force for the right direction within government, and I am very grateful for that contribution. I also pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Hague, for his PSV initiative. I had the privilege of being present at the summit in 2014, which has created a momentum that we need to learn from and develop. I will pick up the theme mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Hague, of the significance of important Governments making a public stand. In doing that, I will also speak as a faith community leader. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby discusses committee report on sexual violence in conflict”

Bishop of Norwich calls on Government to prioritise vulnerable children in Calais

14.06.12 Bishop of NorwichOn 10th October 2016, Baroness Hussein-Ece asked the government “how many lone children in Calais with family links in the United Kingdom have been allowed into the United Kingdom in the past 12 months.” The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt. Revd. Graham Jones, asked a supplementary question.
Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich calls on Government to prioritise vulnerable children in Calais”

Archbishop of Canterbury praises work of voluntary sector in helping those in debt

Archbishop of CanterburyOn 10th October 2016, Lord Sharkey asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the harm to consumers caused by unsolicited real-time promotion of high-cost credit and of debt management solutions.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, asked a follow up question.


The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I declare an interest as patron of Christians Against Poverty, a voluntary organisation based in Bradford dealing with debt management. Does the Minister agree that debt management is an area where there is very significant participation by the not-for-profit voluntary sector? Will he undertake to draw the attention of the FCA and other authorities to the participation of this sector so that it may be listened to and its role receive the recognition that will help people in these problems? Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury praises work of voluntary sector in helping those in debt”

Bishop of Durham asks Government about aid to Burundi and Rwanda

Bp Durham June 2015 bOn 10th October 2016 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received written answers to four questions on aid to Rwanda and Burundi:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contingency plans are in place to provide humanitarian aid in the event of a poor harvest in Burundi. [HL1693] Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about aid to Burundi and Rwanda”

Church of England Week in Westminster, 12th-16th September 2016

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

Westminster

This week bishops in the House of Lords asked questions on troubled families, pensions, the impact of Brexit on farming, vetting of prison chaplains, and aid to Burundi and to Rwanda.  Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 12th-16th September 2016”

Bishop of Durham asks about inequality in Rwanda

Bp Durham June 2015 bOn 16th September 2016 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question on aid to tackle inequality in Rwanda:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to the government of Rwanda to tackle levels of inequality there.

Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about inequality in Rwanda”

Bishop of Durham asks about humanitarian aid to Burundi

Bp Durham June 2015 bOn 16th September 2016 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question on aid to Burundi:
 The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contingency plans are in place to provide humanitarian aid in the event of a poor harvest in Burundi. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about humanitarian aid to Burundi”

Bishop of St Albans calls for more home building, less land banking

St Albans 2On 15th September 2016 Lord Kennedy of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government “what action they are taking to reverse the decline in home ownership.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, while the price of land continues to increase so rapidly, landowners have much less incentive for immediate development, particularly if they are negotiating with local authorities over their desire for more affordable housing requirements. Will Her Majesty’s Government take further steps to tackle land-banking, so that we can get more houses up more quickly? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans calls for more home building, less land banking”

Bishop of Rochester asks about extremism vetting process for prison chaplains

Bishop of RochesterOn 15th September 2016 the Bishop of Rochester, Rt Revd James Langstaff, received a written answer to a question on vetting of prison chaplains:
The Lord Bishop of Rochester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the publication of the review of Islamist extremism in prisons and the probation and youth justice services, in what ways they plan to change the vetting of prison chaplains and build on existing good practice, including vetting to counter-terrorism level.

Continue reading “Bishop of Rochester asks about extremism vetting process for prison chaplains”

Bishop of St Albans asks if Brexit will lead to cheap and low quality food imports

St Albans 2On Wednesday 14th September 2016, Lord Taverne asked the Government “whether, in their negotiations to leave the European Union, they will seek to preserve the United Kingdom’s membership of the single market.” The Lord Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question.

Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, many parts of our country are deeply concerned about the negotiations, not least the farming community, as evidenced by the Back British Farming demonstration going on outside. We produce food of the highest quality, by environmental and welfare concerns, of almost anywhere in the world. For the sake of our health, our livestock and the environment, can the noble Lord assure the House that Her Majesty’s Government will be very careful to ensure we will not be flooded with cheap imports of food produced to much lower standards than that which our excellent farming industry produces? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks if Brexit will lead to cheap and low quality food imports”