Archbishop asks Government about plans to build communities and affordable housing

On 18th March 2020 Baroness Thornhill asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the results of the Housing Delivery Test, published on 13 February.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd Justin Welby, asked a follow-up question:

The Archbishop of Canterbury:  The Question from the noble Baroness, Lady Thornhill, is pertinent. Last year I set up a commission to look at the building of housing and communities. Simply the delivery of more houses does not create better communities. The mere existence of houses is not in itself a virtue. It comes back to fattening the pig, as the noble Baroness put it so well. What powers will the planned legislation give to local authorities to ensure that affordable housing is delivered? The experience is that, although there may be a commitment to it in the early stages of planning, as the process goes on the number of affordable houses diminishes very severely. There is a lack of imagination over the forms of ownership. If we are to have communities, we must have facilities and the capacity to build those communities together. Does the Minister agree with that, and what are the plans?

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Church Commissioners’ written answers: carbon reduction, cashless donations, South Sudan, Uganda, lead theft, graveyard records

On 18th March 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered seven written questions from Jim Shannon MP, on carbon reduction, cashless donations, South Sudan, Uganda, lead theft and graveyard records:

Jim Shannon (Strangford): 29873 To ask the right hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to use its investments to support business transitioning to a low carbon economy.

Andrew Selous: As responsible investors and members of the UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance, the Church Commissioners regard climate change as a vital issue and have pledged to transition their investment to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions portfolio by 2050. They will set their first interim emissions reduction target as members of the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance in 2020 and will work with their public equities managers to achieve it. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ written answers: carbon reduction, cashless donations, South Sudan, Uganda, lead theft, graveyard records”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about review of 2005 Gambling Act

On 18th March 2020 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer from Government to a question on a review of the Gambling Act:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: HL2292 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Barran on 5 March that they will review the Gambling Act 2005 with “great urgency”, when the (1) terms of reference, (2) call for evidence, and (3) deadlines, of that review will be announced. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about review of 2005 Gambling Act”

Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: Marriages

On 18th March 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question from Sir Desmond Swayne MP on marriages:

Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): 28560 To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, in what circumstances a Church of Scotland minister is able to conduct a wedding in the Church of England. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: Marriages”

Bishop of Salisbury asks about link between climate change and migration

On 17th March 2020 the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, received a written answer to a question on climate change and migration:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: HL1792 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any link between climate change and migration. Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks about link between climate change and migration”

Bishop of Portsmouth asks how coronavirus will be handled on prisons estate

On 12th March 2020 Lord Bethell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care, repeated a Government statement on coronavirus. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Christopher Foster, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Portsmouth: My Lords, in thanking the Minister, may I ask him whether he can give any information on the precautions and particular challenges in prisons, where, for instance, social distancing, isolation and provision of hospital services will be difficult to achieve? Continue reading “Bishop of Portsmouth asks how coronavirus will be handled on prisons estate”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to respond to latest report on gambling participation, awareness and attitudes

On 12th March 2020 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to three questions he had tabled on the annual report of the Gambling Commission into participation, awareness and attitudes:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:

(1) HL2092 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the annual report by the Gambling Commission Gambling participation in 2019: behaviour, awareness and attitudes, published in February, which shows of the general public (1) 29 per cent agreed it would be better for gambling to be banned, (2) 62 per cent believe gambling should be discouraged, and (3) 82 per cent said there were too many opportunities to gamble.

(2) HL2093. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the annual report by the Gambling Commission Gambling participation in 2019: behaviour, awareness and attitudes, published in February, that gambling participation amongst 16 to 24 year olds has increased by four per cent.

(3) HL2094. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the annual report by the Gambling Commission Gambling participation in 2019: behaviour, awareness and attitudes, published in February, that overall gambling participation is declining yet rates of problem gambling are unchanged. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to respond to latest report on gambling participation, awareness and attitudes”

Church Commissioners Written Answer: Travellers, plans to tackle racism

On 12th March 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question from Kate Green MP on Gypsy and Traveller sites and plans to tackle racism:

Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) 27547: To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what progress has been made on (a) making Church land available for Gypsy and Traveller sites and (b) other plans to tackle racism and discrimination as agreed at the General Synod in February 2019.

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Bishop of Portsmouth asks Government about provision for women and children leaving women’s refuges

On 10th March 2020 Baroness Donaghy asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the financial sustainability of women’s refuges.” The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Christopher Foster, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Portsmouth: My Lords, I return to the provision available after victims and their children are able to move on from refuges. Substantial, important and fragile ground has been moved and gained through the provisions in this Bill. But the provision after victims leave refuges is very patchy indeed, offered in only one in seven local authorities. Can the Minister say when provision will be available everywhere, for all victims and survivors? Continue reading “Bishop of Portsmouth asks Government about provision for women and children leaving women’s refuges”

Bishop of Salisbury asks Government for figures on illegal waste exports

On 9th and 10th March 2020 the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, received written answers to questions on illegal waste exports

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: HL1788 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (HL226), what assessment they have made of the proportion of shipping containers being returned following inspection; and what action they intend to take as a result. Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks Government for figures on illegal waste exports”