Questions – Page 212 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Bristol asks about timescale for improving consideration of environmental concerns in policy-making

On 25th October 2021, the Bishop of Bristol asked a question on consideration of nature and the environment in policy-making, during a debate on risks of climate change:

The Lord Bishop of Bristol: My Lords, following the recent Dasgupta review, then Government committed to incorporating nature into the national accounts and improving guidance for embedding environmental concerns into policy-making processes. Can the Government provide an update on the timescale for this work?

Bishop of St Albans asks about crimes of violence by police officers

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th October 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to research by Femicide Census which found that 16 former or serving police officers had committed femicide since 2009, what assessment they have made as to whether male former or serving police officers commit violence against women, including femicide, at a higher rate compared to the general adult male population.

Bishop of Durham asks about new Rwandan High Commissioner to the UK

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 25th October 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the proposed new Rwandan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Busingye Johnston, upholds international law; whether they intend to accept his diplomatic credentials; and what discussions they will have with the government of Rwanda about upholding international law.

Bishop of St Albans asks about arms sales to Myanmar

The Lord Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th October 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to encourage other governments to adopt the UN resolution of 19 June calling for nations to halt arms sales to Myanmar and the ruling military junta.

Bishop of St Albans asks about links between discount fashion retailers and modern slavery

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on forced labour, modern slavery, and child labour in production of goods for the discount fashion industry on 21st October 2021, during a debate on labour conditions in garment and material production:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, can the Government update the House on any ongoing conversations that they are having with discount fashion retailers about sourcing of goods in relation to forced labour, modern slavery and child labour, which is causing such anxiety in our country?

Bishop of Durham asks about movement towards net-zero

The Bishop of Durham asked two questions on delays in moving towards net-zero on 2oth October 2021, during a debate on the government’s net-zero and buildings strategy:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: The Minister and I live in the same region, where masses of new building is going up. I have had only a quick read of the document —we have not had time for anything other than that—and there is a lot about retrofitting in it. Given that we have all the technology and knowledge now, can the Minister explain why new builds are not being built to a net-zero target from this year or perhaps next? Everything is in place to be able to do this. We are delaying too long.

Bishop of Durham urges government action on rising cases of COVID-19

On 20th October 2021, the Bishop of Durham urged that the government put their “Plan B” into action to combat rising cases of COVID-19, citing the increased strain on emergency services:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I have a daughter who works in A&E in a London hospital who simply says, “Please will you make people act responsibly once again?” It costs us absolutely nothing. We acted too slowly previously. We have seen 10% increases in the last week; please just get on with plan B.

Lord Kamall (Con): I thank the right reverend Prelate for his question. It is important. Personally, I do believe that many people should be wearing masks and that there is evidence for this. But the fact is, we have to look at a number of indicators and balance those up.

Hansard

Bishop of Durham asks about food waste

The Bishop of Durham asked a question on food waste on 20th October 2021, during a debate on government plans for protection of the most vulnerable in the event of energy or necessity shortages:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, one of the other necessities mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe, is food. Nationally and globally, we waste a third of all food. When 1.7 million children, between September 2020 and February 2021, were living in food poverty along with their families, surely there must be a better way. This week, the Earthshot Prize celebrated Milan’s citywide food-waste policy, which saves 260,000 meals-worth a year. What steps are Her Majesty’s Government taking to encourage and support the better local collection and distribution of food waste in the UK more effectively?

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church of England Assets and Finances

On 20th October 2021, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from an MP:

Kerry McCarthy MP (Lab, Bristol East): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how much has been paid in (a) tax rebates, including of VAT on repairs and (b) Gift Aid to Church of England bodies including (i) dioceses, (ii) parochial church councils, (iii) cathedrals, (iv) the Church Commissioners and (v) the Churches Conservation Trust in each of the last five years.

Bishop of Durham tables question on child poverty and the two-child benefit cap

On 19th October 2021, the Bishop of Durham asked a question on the findings of the Nuffield Foundation Review on Child Poverty, and links between child poverty and the government’s two-child limit on welfare benefits:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Nuffield Foundation’s review Changing patterns of poverty in early childhood, published on 14 September; and what steps they intend to take as a result, including in relation to the two-child limit for welfare benefits.

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