Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Leeds asks about interfaith engagement in levelling-up agenda

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 25th May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked  His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of inter-faith engagement and cooperation to the Levelling Up agenda; and what plans they have, if any, to provide funding support towards the work of the Inter Faith Network, including for Inter Faith Week during 2023–24.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con): The department continues to take steps to support inter-faith community cohesion. For example, this government is supporting Dame Sara Khan’s independent review of Social Cohesion and Resilience which is due to report in the Autumn, and I am considering additional options to take forward.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about number of prosecutions for human trafficking in the last three years

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 25th May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions were undertaken of people smugglers in each of the last three years for which data are available.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about reported cases of whistleblowing investigated by the Civil Service in the last four years

The Bishop of St Alban received the following written answer on 25th May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how many cases of whistleblowing were reported and investigated by the Civil Service in (1) 2022, (2) 2021, (3) 2020, and (4) 2019.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con, Cabinet Office): We are made aware by departments annually, who also report on behalf of their agencies, of cases raised formally through whistleblowing procedures.

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Archbishop of Canterbury asks question on help for South Sudan in taking Sudanese refugees

On 24th May 2023, the Archbishop of Canterbury asked a question he had tabled on what the government are doing to assist the government of South Sudan to support refugees from the current conflict in Sudan:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist the government of South Sudan to support refugees from the conflict in Sudan.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks Government why it has rowed back on commitment in Windrush Lessons Learned Review

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on why the government had rowed back commitments made on the Windrush Lessons Learned Review on 24th May 2023, during a discussion on plans to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s arrival in the UK:

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about routes to the UK for persecuted Christians in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on whether the government would consider providing a safe route scheme for those persecuted on account of their faith in Iran on 23rd May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, in a recently published joint annual report by Article 18 and other Christian organisations, the IRGC’s increasing involvement in the crackdown against peaceful Christian activities in Iran was highlighted for the second year in a row. Other religious minorities and peaceful protesters also report violent treatment during arrest and detention, as well as the interference of the IRGC’s intelligence branch in court proceedings to ensure harsher sentences against those who are accused. I absolutely agree with the noble Lords who are pressing for proscription, but given all of this, does the Minister agree that we can and should do more, beyond proscription of the IRGC? Will the Government consider offering a safe route scheme for those from Iran who have suffered persecution in the form of arrest and imprisonment on account of their faith?

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Bishop of Southwark asks about use of facial recognition by the Israeli military

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 23rd May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Amnesty International published on 2 May into the use of the Israeli military facial recognition system, Red Wolf, in mass surveillance and whether they support the call by Amnesty International for an end to mass and targeted surveillance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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Bishop of Durham asks about the proposed Illegal Migration Bill

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 23rd May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government whether there have been any changes to asylum screening interviews since 7 March.

Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con, Home Office): There have been no changes to the asylum screening interview template since 7 March.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about land tenure

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on the use of land tenure and the needs of tenants, during a discussion on the establishment of a Land Commission to aid landowners and managers in decision-making on 22nd May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his responses so far. Can he clarify whether the Government will encourage Defra to give regard to land tenure and, in particular, to ensuring that the tenanted sector is considered within the land use framework?

Lord Benyon (Con, DEFRA): The right reverend Prelate raises a crucial point. We talk about farmers and land managers, but those descriptions are too simple and generic, because we have owner-occupiers, registered tenants under the 1986 Act, graziers and farm business tenancies; it is an incredibly complex system of tenure. We are considering the Rock report and will respond to it.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about numbers of whistleblowing cases

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 19th May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how many cases of whistleblowing were reported and investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority in (1) 2022, (2) 2021, (3) 2020, and (4) 2019.

Baroness Penn (Con, Treasury Department): The FCA has reported and investigated the following number of whistleblowing cases for each year given:

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