Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of St Albans asks about international efforts to oppose persecution of religious minorities in China

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on international efforts to hold China to account for persecution of religious minorities on 19th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I too congratulate the Foreign Secretary on a much more robust approach. This is not happening only in Hong Kong; it is part of a much wider movement right across China, where not only human rights but religious rights are being denied. Churches are being knocked down, pastors are being arrested and, most notoriously of all, there is, many people would argue, a genocide of the Uighur people. What are we doing with our colleagues internationally to press China on these rights in a consistent, long-term way that is backed up by sanctions?

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Bishop of Derby asks about support for social housing landlords

The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 19th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the additional support required for social housing landlords as a result of the consumer regulation measures announced by the Regulator of Social Housing, including the Tenant Satisfaction Measures Standard, which are to be implemented from April 2024.

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Bishop of Durham asks about treatment of detainees under immigration control

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 19th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government how many residents of MDP Wethersfield are able to pass freely to and from the site; what is the schedule of the minibus service available; and what assessment they have made of the amount of time residents are able to be away from the site each day based on that schedule.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about funding to assist voluntary and charitable efforts to combat homelessness

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on increased funding to assist the homeless, and to support efforts by the charitable & voluntary sector to do so, during a debate on rates of homelessness during Christmas on 18th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, like many places, Nottingham is suffering from the cost of living crisis, fuel and food poverty, a decline of social housing and a growing shortage of private rented sector properties, which is compounded by the shortfall between the local housing allowance and rents. Framework Housing Association and Emmanuel House do exceptional work, together with the city council, in seeking to help the 10,000 people on the waiting list with an unmet housing need, alongside the street homeless. But the rising demand for social care and increased homelessness have contributed to the council issuing a Section 114 notice. If His Majesty’s Government agree that the charitable and voluntary sector is such a key partner in addressing these needs, can the Minister offer more direct funding to help the homeless in cities such as Nottingham?

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Bishop of London asks about notice periods for refugees leaving Home Office Accommodation

On 18th December 2023, the Bishop of London asked a question on government plans to ensure a 28 day notice period for refugees granted asylum or leave to remain before they are required to leave Home Office accommodation:

The Lord Bishop of London: To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to ensure that refugees are given 28 days’ notice before they are required to leave their Home Office accommodation, having received documentation after being granted asylum or being given leave to enter or remain.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about funding for delivery of social housing

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 18th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase grant funding for social housing delivery to reflect the decrease in the number of planning applications being made, and a probable decrease in the number of section 106 social homes being built as a result.

Baroness Penn (Con, Department for Levelling-up, Housing & Communities): The provision of affordable housing is part of the Government’s plan to build more homes and provide aspiring homeowners with a step onto the housing ladder.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about recent evictions of indigenous people in Kenya

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 18th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Kenya regarding the evictions of the Ogiek people and other indigenous peoples in the Mau forest in that country.

Lord Benyon (Con, Foreign Office): The British High Commission in Nairobi is closely monitoring events in the Mau Forest. The Minister for Africa and Development has not raised this issue with the Kenyan authorities.

Hansard

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Energy, Religious Freedom, Church Schools, Heritage Buildings

On 15th December 2023, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Church of England: Energy

Mark Pritchard MP (Con, The Wrekin): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church will have discussions with the Dioceses of (a) Hereford and (b) Lichfield on support with energy costs.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks for VAT change to help cost of restoring older buildings

On 14th December 2023 the Bishop of Chelmsford asked the following question to Government:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford, To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the sustainability and quality of existing buildings, including by cutting value added tax to incentivise building repairs and maintenance.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about risk of vector borne diseases becoming prevalent in the UK

The Bishop of St Albans tabled a question on the risk of vector borne diseases such as dengue fever and West Nile virus becoming prevalent and established in the UK on 14th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of vector-borne diseases, including dengue fever and West Nile virus, becoming established in the United Kingdom, as outlined in the report Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK published by the UK Health Security Agency on 11 December.

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