On 4th April 2019 the House of Lords considered the European Union (Withdrawal) (Number 5) Bill, which sought to require the Prime Minister to request a later exit date from the European Union and a further extension of the Article 50 period. Continue reading “Votes: European Union (Withdrawal) (Number 5) Bill”
Category: Bills
Legislation before Parliament
Votes – Offensive Weapons Bill
On 19th March 2019 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Offensive Weapons Bill. A vote took place on an amendment to the Bill, in which two bishops took part: Continue reading “Votes – Offensive Weapons Bill”
Votes: House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill
On 15th March 2019 the House of Lords considered the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]. In order to bring debate to an end on a particular amendment to the Bill, Lord Cormack moved ‘that the question be now put’. The House divided:
Contents: 89 | Not Contents: 23 | Result: N/A
The Bishop of St Albans voted Content.
Votes: Trade Bill
On 13th March 2019 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Trade Bill. Two Bishops voted on an amendment moved by Lord Fox.
Lord Fox moved amendment 24. Insert the following new clause:
“Trade agreement with the EU: mobility framework
It shall be the objective of the Secretary of State to take all necessary steps to
secure an international trade agreement with the European Union which
includes a mobility framework that enables all UK and EU citizens to exercise
the same reciprocal rights to work, live and study for the purpose of the
provision of trade in goods or services.”
Votes: Trade Bill
On 13th March 2019 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Trade Bill. Three Bishops voted on an amendment moved by Lord Hain, and one moved by Lord Fox:
Votes: Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill
On 12th March 2019 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Healthcare (international Arrangements) Bill. Four Bishops voted on two amendments, both moved by Labour’s Baroness Thornton: Continue reading “Votes: Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill”
Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill – Bishop of Oxford responds to amendment on same-sex marriage
On 1st March 2019 the House of Lords considered the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill at its Report Stage. Lord Faulkner of Worcester tabled an amendment to the Bill similar to that which he had tabled in Committee on the process by which the Church of England and Church in Wales might opt-in to conduct same-sex marriages. The Bishop of Oxford responded to the amendment, explaining that it was not necessary as there were already legal mechanisms in place for both Churches to opt-in should they choose to. The Minister also emphasised these points in her response and the amendment was not put to a vote. The Bishop’s speech is below, and the whole debate on the amendment is reproduced underneath.
The Lord Bishop of Oxford: My Lords, those were extremely moving speeches. I thank the noble Lords, Lord Faulkner, Lord Collins and Lord Cashman, and the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, for the contributions they have made in the Chamber today and the moving way in which they have spoken. I thank them for sharing their personal experiences so movingly, and for the important and necessary articulation of the views they have heard within the broader Church of England in favour of movement and inclusion. I deeply regret the language used in writing to the noble Lord, Lord Collins, and others; it has no place in the contemporary Church.
The Church is committed to listening carefully to the wisdom of the nation, to the wisdom in our continued debate in this Chamber and to the voices of LGBTI people at all levels in the life of the church. We are committed in our public statements to the inclusion and welcome of all.
Vote – Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill
On 11th February 2019 the House of Lords considered House of Commons amendments to the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill, at ping-pong.
Two bishops took part in a vote on an amendment from Lord Paddick that would oblige the Secretary of State to seek and secure a death penalty assurance in any future international treaty. Continue reading “Vote – Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill”
Offensive Weapons Bill – Bishop of Newcastle asks Government to think again on Knife Crime Prevention Orders
On 6th February 2019 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Offensive Weapons Bill in its third day of Committee. The Bishop of Newcastle, Rt Revd Chrisine Hardman spoke against Government amendments to create new Knife Crime Prevention Orders. The amendments were withdrawn following the debate, but the Minister indicated they were likely to be returned to again at a later stage:
The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: Before becoming Bishop of Newcastle, I was an archdeacon in south-east London. In my archdeaconry, sadly, was Eltham, where Stephen Lawrence died. I do not, therefore, underestimate the sheer heartbreak and devastation of knife crime, particularly when young people are involved. This crime is growing and growing. I have sat with families whose children have been victims of knife crime. I have officiated at a funeral where that has been the case. The circles of devastation and heartbreak just go on and on. I do not underestimate the seriousness of this problem; nevertheless, I object to this amendment and hope that it will be withdrawn, so that there is more time to reflect on it. Continue reading “Offensive Weapons Bill – Bishop of Newcastle asks Government to think again on Knife Crime Prevention Orders”
Civil Partnership, Marriage and Deaths (Registration etc.) Bill – Bishop of Chelmsford responds to amendments on marriage
On 1st February 2019 the House of Lords considered in Committee a Private Member’s Bill, the Civil Partnership, Marriage and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill. This Bill incorporated provisions on marriage registration that the Bishop of St Albans had successfully piloted through the Lords in his own Private Member’s Bill in 2018. It included extra provision relating to registration of stillborn children, and civil partnerships for opposite sex couples.
The Bishop of Chelmsford spoke during debate on two amendments to the Bill. The first, briefly, on an amendment from the Bill’s sponsor Lady Hodgson, to enable the conversion of civil partnerships to marriage, and vice-versa, through the introduction of Regulations that could amend primary legislation, including Church of England Measures. The amendment was passed after debate.
The second on a probing amendment from Labour Peers, which was withdrawn after debate, to remove the provisions in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 that give legal security to the Church of England and Church in Wales in setting and maintaining their doctrinal position on marriage. The Bishop’s speech on that, and the responses of other Members including the Government front bench, the Bill’s sponsor and the amendment’s sponsor are below: Continue reading “Civil Partnership, Marriage and Deaths (Registration etc.) Bill – Bishop of Chelmsford responds to amendments on marriage”
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