Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Sheffield asks about music provision in schools

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?

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Bishop of Chichester asks about military action by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh

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.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about government’s rough sleeping strategy

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.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about UK rare diseases framework

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.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about properties owned by foreign shell companies

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.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about housing supply in London

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 support London Councils who have reported a 120 per cent rise in requests by landlords for return of properties used as temporary homes and a 41 per cent reduction in the number of properties available for private rental since 2020.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about report on UK Government Asylum and Protection Transformation Programme

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on Thursday 21st September 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the National Audit Office’s report on the Government’s Asylum and Protection Transformation Programme.

Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con, Home Office): The NAO report into the Asylum & Protection Transformation Programme fully recognises the significance of the transformation programme, and the efforts of the Home Office to reform the asylum and protection system.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about moving to use of electric cars

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the progress of moving to electric cars on 20th September 2023, during a debate on the government’s environment policy:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: There is no doubt that His Majesty’s Government have done many good things, and we need all sides of the House to work on this vital area. However, this is not just something which affects some groups; it particularly affects those parts of our nation where air quality is so bad that it is materially affecting the health of many young people and causing huge additional costs to the NHS. What assurances can the Minister give us about the progress of moving to electric cars, to try to make a tangible difference to air quality in our urban areas?

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Bishop of Durham asks about healthcare provision for migrants in detention

The Bishop of Durham asked a question on healthcare provision at Ministry of Defence sites housing migrants and asylum seekers on 20th September 2023, during a debate on the outbreak of illness among migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, the barge is only one solution to the growing numbers who need to be accommodated. What provision of healthcare is being considered at MoD sites such as Wethersfield and, potentially, Scampton? Will GPs be on site and what all-round healthcare will there be to ensure that those resident there are kept safe?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about rare disease treatments and services

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 20th September 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what service the NHS provides for people with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Lord Markham (Con, Department of Health & Social Care): While there is no specific prescribed service for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), children with the condition are cared for by National Health Service paediatric rheumatologists and/or geneticists with input from other clinicians as required. For patients with rare diseases such as FOP, expert centres provide clinical guidance, support and advice to patients, their families, and carers.

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