Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons
The Bishop of Oxford received the following written answer on 17th October 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Oxford asked His Majesty’s Government:
The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 17th October 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government:
The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 17th October 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government whether, in the instance a child is found after going missing from Home Office accommodation, they are initially returned to hotel accommodation or the care of the local authority.
Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con, Home Office): When a missing child is found, a referral to the local authority is made with a clear expectation that they are taken into local authority care.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about unaccompanied asylum seeking children”The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 17th October 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government from what date asylum applications were first treated as withdrawn on the basis that the claimant failed to report or to inform the Home Office of a change of address.
Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con, Home Office): We do not currently publish data on the date asylum claims were first treated as withdrawn on the basis that the claimant failed to report or to inform the Home Office of a change of address. However, official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about regulations affecting refugees and asylum seekers”The Bishop of Sheffield spoke in response to a government statement on the conflict in Israel and Gaza on 16th October 2023, emphasising the humanitarian considerations involved and the effects on community cohesion in the UK, and asking about right of return for citizens of Gaza:
The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, I thank the Minister for the Statement.
There is no justification for the truly shocking atrocities perpetrated by Hamas nine days ago, a shock exacerbated for many of us by the fact that those attacks took place on the Sabbath. Nor is there any justification for the cancers of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia that stalk our own streets. We on these Benches condemn both unequivocally. It is plainly true that no one in this House questions Israel’s right to self-defence or that this right must be exercised judiciously, in accordance with international humanitarian law. I pray that this consensus will hold in the coming weeks, for the sake of the cohesion of communities across Britain—including in South Yorkshire, where I serve.
In view of the unfolding and escalating humanitarian tragedy, and looking to the future, what assurances have the Government sought and been given that the innocent people of Gaza will be able to return to their home neighbourhoods after the immediate conflict?
Lord True (Con): My Lords, obviously that is the wish that all might have. I thank the right reverend Prelate for his remarks and agree very much on the importance of community cohesion. The reality is that Israel is reacting to the attack, which the right reverend Prelate rightly characterised as an attack on the Sabbath of such horror. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, that there is a distinct difference between those who seek to kill babes because they are Jews and a nation that we believe—as the President of Israel has stated—will operate within international law. If Hamas turned away from terror, laid down its arms and dedicated itself to improving the welfare of the Palestinian people, we would not have to wait too long for the outcome that the right reverend Prelate seeks, and we all devoutly wish that that will one day happen.
The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on music teaching on 16th October 2023, during a debate on provision of music, art, dance & craft in schools:
The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, many Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals regularly send professional musicians into schools to support them with singing, at minimal charge. For example, by 2026, Sheffield Cathedral plans to support 30 schools a year with high-quality, curriculum-based music teaching, mostly in our most deprived communities. Does the Minister think there might be scope here for partnership with government to maximise the potential of such schemes?
Continue reading “Bishop of Sheffield asks about music provision in schools”The Bishop of Chichester tabled a question on Azerbaijan’s military actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on 21st September 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Chichester: To ask His Majesty’s Government what representations have been made to the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan concerning the military action against Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Earl of Courtown (Con): My Lords, Tuesday brought devastating news of the resumption of armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Government urge Azerbaijan to cease military action and return to peaceful dialogue. Violence is never the answer. Yesterday details emerged of a ceasefire. We call on parties to respect this and encourage Baku to continue talks with the local population on a settlement that protects the security of all and enables the humanitarian needs of residents to be met.
Continue reading “Bishop of Chichester asks about military action by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh”
The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 21st September 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) their rough sleeping strategy, End Rough Sleeping for Good, and (2) their Rough Sleeping Initiative one year after its launch.
Continue reading “Bishop of Chelmsford asks about government’s rough sleeping strategy”The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 21st September 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK Rare Diseases Framework on international collaboration since January 2021.
Lord Markham (Con, Department of Health & Social Care): Whilst no assessment has been made, international collaboration is an underpinning theme of the UK Rare Diseases Framework.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about UK rare diseases framework”
The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 21st September 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to identify the beneficial ownership of 100,000 properties held by foreign shell companies on behalf of others as disclosed by the report published on 4 September by the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Warwick and the Centre for Public Data.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about properties owned by foreign shell companies”
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