On 23rd and 25th February 2015, bishops took part in two divisions on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the protection of overseas domestic workers.
Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill
Category: Bills
Legislation before Parliament
Bishop of Derby leads call for stronger powers for agencies tackling modern slavery
On 25th February 2015, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, tabled an amendment to the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, during its Report Stage. The amendment sought to strengthen and improve the resources of enforcement agencies who may be required to deal with groups engaged in modern slavery and human trafficking. The amendment was withdrawn, following assurances from the Minister that the Government would bring forward its own proposals at Third Reading.
The Bishop also spoke in favour of a group of amendments to the Bill relating to the transparency of supply chains.
Amendment 92 – Enforcement Agencies
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I thank my colleagues, the noble Lord, Lord Alton, and the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy, for their support for this amendment. I also place on record my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Bates. With others, we have been extremely grateful for the patient and kind way he has listened to us, engaged with us and put on special meetings on various subjects. The point of this amendment is to highlight the fact that both the Government and many of us involved in this issue are learning a great deal as we go along. Therefore, there is a proper space for consultation, review and further learning to be done. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby leads call for stronger powers for agencies tackling modern slavery”
Bishop of Carlisle supports amendment to protect domestic workers from slavery
On 25th February 2015, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Revd James Newcome, spoke in support of an amendment to the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill. The Bishop co-sponsored the amendment which sought to provide additional protections for overseas domestic workers at risk of exploitation. The amendment was put to a division of the House and was subsequently accepted. More details on the vote can be found here.
The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, several of the amendments to this important Bill have been introduced as filling a gap in the legislation. That is especially true of Amendment 90. As the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, and the noble Baroness, Lady Royall of Blaisdon, have said, it will assist all private and diplomatic domestic workers by providing a measure of protection and flexibility otherwise lacking in the Bill. It will also enable those who have been victims of modern slavery to remain in the United Kingdom for a limited period while seeking alternative employment. That is why I am glad to have my name attached to the amendment. Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle supports amendment to protect domestic workers from slavery”
Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill – Full Transcript of Lords Second Reading debate
On 12th February 2015 the House of Lords debated at Second Reading ther Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill. A full transcript of that debate is below. See also the speeches made in the debate by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Leicester.
Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill
11:39 A.M.
Lord Faulks (The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice): That the Bill be read a second time .
Lord Taylor Of Holbeach (Con): My Lords, I have it in command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, has consented to place her prerogative, so far is it is affected by the Bill, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
Lord Faulks (The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice): My Lords, this Bill will enable female diocesan bishops of the Church of England to become Lords Spiritual sooner than they would under current rules. Continue reading “Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill – Full Transcript of Lords Second Reading debate”
Bishop of Leicester: Lords Spritual (Women) Bill to serve “interests of the nation”
On 12th February 2015, the House of Lords debated the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill at Second Reading. The Bill will bring forward the time at which the first female diocesan bishops can sit as Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords. Speaking just prior to the ‘winding up’ of the debate, the Bishop of Leicester responded to a small number of questions raised in the course of the debate:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I know I speak for all of us on this Bench in wanting to express our appreciation to your Lordships’ House for the serious, thoughtful and supportive way that your Lordships have considered this legislation, and to rehearse the most reverend Primate’s appreciation to the Government and Opposition Benches, and to the usual channels, for making it possible for the Bill to reach this stage so quickly. Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester: Lords Spritual (Women) Bill to serve “interests of the nation””
Archbishop of Canterbury speaks in support of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill
On 12th February 2015 the House of Lords debated the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill at Second Reading. The Bill will bring forward the time at which the first female diocesan bishops can sit as Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of Canterbury gave the Bill his wholehearted support. He said:
The Archbishop of Canterbury:
My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for those opening remarks. I wish to put on record my personal thanks and those of the church to the Government for securing the time to bring this Bill forward, and to the Opposition for giving their support to the proposal. Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury speaks in support of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill”
Bishop of Worcester Supports Ban on Pavement Parking
On 11th February 2015, the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, spoke during the Report Stage of the Deregulation Bill. He spoke in favour of an amendment prohibiting parking on pavements and verges. Following assurances from the Minister, the amendment was withdrawn.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I support the amendment, whose importance has been ably and eloquently demonstrated by the noble Lords, Lord Low and Lord Tope. It is quite clear that the present situation is costly and complex, as has been said. I should like very briefly, given the hour, to demonstrate how in Worcester—one of the few cities in the UK that has tried to tackle the problem of pavement parking —there have been difficulties because of the current situation.
Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester Supports Ban on Pavement Parking”
Deregulation Bill- Divisions
On 11th February 2015, three bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill, during its Report Stage.
Recall of MPs Bill – Division
On 10th February 2015, three bishops took part in a division on the Recall of MPs Bill, during the bill’s Report Stage:
Amendment 1
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town moved amendment 1, in clause 1, page 1, line 10, at end to insert: “( ) In this Act the signing of a recall petition constitutes a public act and the information of each person who signs a recall petition will be accessible in a marked electoral register, if requested.” Continue reading “Recall of MPs Bill – Division”
Recall of MPs Bill – Bishop of Chester speaks on amendments
On 10th February 2015 the Bishop of Chester, Rt Rev Peter Forster, spoke during the Lords deliberation of an amendment to the Recall of MPs Bill concerning conditions for commencing the recall process. The amendment, in the name of Lord Tyler, was withdrawn following the debate. His comments are below and can be seen in context on the UK Parliament website, here.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I will speak briefly on this. I think that it is a mistake to play off these conditions against each other, as if you were to ditch one and get a quid pro quo strength in another. Continue reading “Recall of MPs Bill – Bishop of Chester speaks on amendments”
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