Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons
The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 19th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked Her Majesty’s Government how many women in prison aged (1) 18–24, or (2) 25 years or older, have been (a) in receipt of mental health care, or (b) referred to mental health support, whilst in custody.
Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks about conditions in UK prisons”On 19th January 2022, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to an MP:
Jane Hunt MP (Con): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the total number of people employed in full and part time diocesan roles across the UK was, excluding parish priests and lay readers, in (a) 1959, (b) 1979, (c) 1989, (d) 1999, (e) 2010 and (f) 2020, including Bishops, Suffragen Bishops, Archdeacons, governance managers, human resource management, operations directors, inclusivity and diversity managers, directors of giving, mission enablers, directors of social justice, environment managers, training leaders, youth leaders, conference centre managers and wardens, and all associated support staff.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church of England Staff”The Bishop of Gloucester asked for an update on global vaccination statistics for COVID-19 on 13th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: Can the Minister update us on global statistics on vaccination? This is not only about justice, equality and dignity; it is also about the fact that new variants will arise unless we address the issue of international vaccination. What are the Government doing to ensure that everyone across our world is offered full vaccination? What focus is being given to the international situation, beyond ourselves?
Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks about global vaccine statistics”On 13th January 2022, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to an MP:
Chris Loder MP (Con): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how much the Church of England spent on (a) public affairs and (b) reputation management organisations in financial year 2020-21.
Andrew Selous: It is not possible to give a cumulative figure for expenditure on public affairs for the Church of England, as each National Church Institution, diocese and parish is a separate charity and this information is not collected.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Public Relations”The Bishop of Coventry tabled a question on reconciling differences between states with nuclear weapons and states without nuclear weapons on 12th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reconcile differences between nuclear possessor states and non-nuclear possessor states at the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, Foreign Office): My Lords, the United Kingdom recognises its responsibilities as a bridge builder among nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states at the 10th review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. To support discussions, we are submitting working papers on transparency, verification and peaceful uses. We will host side events including a joint P5 event on doctrines and policy.
Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry tables question on nuclear weapons”Following a government statement on building safety on 11th January 2022, the Bishop of St Albans asked a question on whether the government would fund the installation of sprinkler systems in taller buildings:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the Secretary of State announced an additional £27 million for fire alarms. Are similar grants being considered for installing sprinklers in buildings over 11 metres?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about grants for installation of sprinkler systems in buildings”The Bishop of London asked for clarification on whether the government would bring forward legislation to ensure that polluters would pay for building issues, during a debate following a government statement on building safety on 11th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, like many others, I welcome this Statement, because clearly, it is a move in the right direction. I too pay tribute to those who have campaigned with tenacity to try to resolve what is an awful situation for people’s lives. I may just be slow, but I would really appreciate the Minister clarifying whether the Government will bring forward legislation in the Building Safety Bill to ensure that the polluter pays, and not the taxpayer or the leaseholder.
Continue reading “Bishop of London responds to government statement on building safety”On 11th January 2022, during a debate on events that took place in Downing Street during a time when COVID-19 restrictions were in place, the Bishop of Leeds asked how the government would advise Bishops to respond to members of the clergy who had obeyed regulations in spite of pastoral reasons, in light of the allegations:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, could the Minister advise those of us on these Benches how we should respond to clergy, who took an enormous personal toll in having to deal with families who were not able to attend funerals or to be with their loved ones? They were very tempted to break the rules for strong pastoral reasons but did not, and they are now faced with this.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about clergy responses to investigation into gatherings in Downing Street during COVID-19 restrictions”On 11th January 2022, The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on the impact of violence in Kazakhstan on the wider region around the country:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, have Her Majesty’s Government made any assessment of the impact of this instability on the wider region, particularly given Kazakhstan’s proximity to China, its very strong cultural relationships with Turkey, and its importance for the stability of the southern republics and those nations that lie below it?
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about conflict in Kazakhstan”The Bishop of Durham asked a question on adequacy of support offered to larger families by the Department for Work and Pensions on 11th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of support offered by the Department for Work and Pensions to larger families.
Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con, DWP): No assessment has been made as every household has different requirements. While there is no objective way of deciding what an adequate level of support should be, the department will spend more than £110 billion this year—4.8% of GDP—on working-age benefits. Additionally, the Government offer a wide range of support to families with children depending on their circumstances, including free school meals, childcare, Healthy Start vouchers and the household support fund.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham tables question on support for larger families”
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