Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Salisbury asks Government how it will engage faiths and NGOs for COP climate talks in Glasgow

On 18th November Baroness Boycott asked the Government, “further to the response by Lord Callanan on 20 October (HL Deb, col 1414), what plans they have for the campaigns taking place before COP 26 relating to behaviour change and the environment.” The Bishop of Salisbury asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: My Lords, Ban Ki-moon, then General Secretary of the UN, said that the Paris climate change talks were the largest and most complex talks he had ever been part of. Some 12,000 people were in the discussions, with another nearly 50,000 gathered around them.

What steps are the Government taking to ratchet up the engagement of the faith communities and other NGOs around the climate change talks that will take place in Glasgow, and what steps are they taking to strengthen the diplomatic efforts to make the talks more successful? Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks Government how it will engage faiths and NGOs for COP climate talks in Glasgow”

Bishop of St Albans asks about conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan

On 18th November the Bishop of St Albans received written answers to questions on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, reports of ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians and the use of white phosphorus:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for the provision of further security guarantees to assist those living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; and what steps they are taking to monitor and assess clashes and casualties along the ‘line of contact’ in that region. [HL10014] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan”

Bishop of St Albans asks about problem gambling by young people

On 18th November the Bishop of St Albans received written answers to two questions on problem gambling and young people:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings from the Gambling Commission’s 2020 Young People and Gambling Survey; and what steps they are taking to reduce problem gambling among 11 to 16-year olds. [HL10105]

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Gambling Commission and Ipsos Mori Young People & Gambling 2020 Technical Report, published in August, in particular its finding that the number of 11 to 16 year-olds classified as problem gamblers had risen from 1.7 per cent in 2019 to 1.9 per cent in 2020; and what discussions they have had with the Gambling Commission about ways in which problem gambling by children can be reduced. [HL10245] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about problem gambling by young people”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government if it will recognise Armenian Genocide

On 18th November the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on recognition of the Armenian genocide.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review their position on the recognition of the Armenian genocide. [HL10012] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government if it will recognise Armenian Genocide”

Bishop of Salisbury asks when trade deal uncertainty will end

On 17th November Lord Wallace of Saltaire asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the comments by the Prime Minister of Canada on 11 November about the United Kingdom’s prospects of a trade deal with Canada.” The Bishop of Salisbury asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: My Lords, early this morning, I had breakfast on Zoom, hosted by my colleague the Bishop of Sherborne, along with people from the Dorset churches and community. A farmer and local businessman said that his greatest fear for the future was uncertainty. How will this uncertainty be ended so that he will not be left just watching this space but will know what opportunities there are? ​How will the House assess these both in relation to the economy and to the environment? Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks when trade deal uncertainty will end”

Church Commissioners written answer: public worship during covid-19 lockdown

On 17th November the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, responded to a written question on closure of places of worship for public worship during the second coronavirus lockdown: 

Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot, Con): [112061] To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the Government on allowing places of worship to remain open during lockdown if they continue to implement additional covid-secure measures.

Andrew Selous: Following the Government announcement of a second lockdown, churches have been required to close again for public worship, between 5th November and 2nd December. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishop of London and senior Christian and other faith leaders wrote to the Prime Minister about this and their letter can be read here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/Faith%20communities%20letter%20to%20Prime%20MInister%20%28ii%29.pdf. Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer: public worship during covid-19 lockdown”

Church Commissioners written answer: Coronavirus and celebrating Christmas

On 17th November the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question on coronavirus and celebrating Christmas:

Dr Luke Evans (Bosworth, Con): [102186] To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps he is taking to support churches across Leicestershire to conduct Christmas services in 2020.

Andrew Selous: The Church of England’s seasonal campaign ‘Comfort and Joy’ will provide online, booklet and social media resources for all parishes and worshippers to use and enjoy this Advent and Christmas. More information is available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/preparing-advent-christmas-2020-comfort-and-joy Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer: Coronavirus and celebrating Christmas”

Church Commissioners written answers: church finances, covid and social action

On 17th November the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered written questions on church finances and the impact of coronavirus on church social action:

Chris Green (Bolton West and Athert0n, Con) : [113566] To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Commissioners have made of (a) trends in the level of closure of churches and (b) the ability of worshipping communities to fund ongoing repairs to church buildings. Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answers: church finances, covid and social action”

Bishop of Salisbury welcomes plans for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

On 16th November 2020 the House of Lords heard a Government statement about plans to mark HM the Queen’s platinum jubilee. The Bishop of Salisbury responded:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: My Lords, I speak for all the Lords spiritual in welcoming this Statement about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It is a great privilege for me to be here in person this week and to pray each day with 30 or so Members before the business of this House commences in a way that is currently not ​allowed in any of the churches or cathedrals in this country.

Has ever a prayer been so fully answered as that for the Queen?

Grant her in health and wealth long to live … Long to reign over us. God save the Queen. Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury welcomes plans for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee”

Bishop of Durham asks about children’s views of education during the pandemic

On 16th November 2020 Baroness Massey of Darwen asked the Government ” what plans they have to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into legislation.” The Bishop of Durham asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Durham [V]:  Regarding the voice of children and young people, if Article 12 had been in law, what might their input have been on their own situation in schools, universities and the like through the pandemic? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about children’s views of education during the pandemic”