Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Asia Bibi, religious freedom in Pakistan, and asylum on religious persecution grounds

On 3rd December 2018 the Bishop of Coventry received written answers to five questions he had tabled to Government on Asia Bibi, religious freedom in Pakistan and applications for asylum from Pakistan on grounds of religious persecution:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the state of freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan.

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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) support religious pluralism, and (2) promote freedom of religion or belief, in Pakistan. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Asia Bibi, religious freedom in Pakistan, and asylum on religious persecution grounds”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to bring together global partners to fund low-cost drugs for TB

On Thursday 29th November 2018 Lord Collins of Highbury asked Her Majesty’s Government “what action they are taking to support the global fight against tuberculosis, in the light of tuberculosis being the leading cause of death globally among people living with HIV/AIDS.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, it is good that we are such a major donor to those trying to solve this problem. Nevertheless, as the noble Lord, Lord Alton, pointed out, there is still a huge funding gap. What attempts are being made to draw together international partners to give this a much higher priority, and in particular to ensure that we can fund these relatively low-cost, very effective TB drugs, which are making such a difference? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to bring together global partners to fund low-cost drugs for TB”

Church Commissioner Questions: Forestry, Persecuted Christians, Christ Church college Oxford, Christmas campaign

On Thursday 29th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions in the House of Commons on the Northern Forest Initiative, persecuted Christians overseas, Christ Church college Oxford, and the Church of England’s Christmas campaign. A full transcript is below: Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions: Forestry, Persecuted Christians, Christ Church college Oxford, Christmas campaign”

Church Commissioners Written Answer – church social action projects

On 29th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question on church social action projects:

Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent steps the Church of England has taken at parish level to support the needs of local communities. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer – church social action projects”

Church Commissioners Written Answer: Gambling

On 29th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question on gambling:

Eddie Hughes (Walsall North): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to tackle problem gambling. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer: Gambling”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about underage gambling

On 29th November 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to two written questions, on underage gambling:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children under the age of 18 were treated for gambling related health conditions in each year from 2000. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about underage gambling”

Bishop of Worcester – “the established church is a significant force for good”.

On Wednesday 28th November 2018 Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the case for the disestablishment of the Church of England.” Several Members asked follow-up questions, including the Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, and a transcript of the exchanges is below:

Church of England: Disestablishment

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for the disestablishment of the Church of England.

Lord Young of Cookham (Con): My Lords, none. Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester – “the established church is a significant force for good”.”

Bishop of St Albans calls for compulsory levy on gambling firms to fund research and treatment of gambling related harm

On 27th November 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question he had tabled to Goverment about gambling related harm. His follow up question and those of other Members is reproduced below:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the sufficiency of current industry contributions to efforts to reduce gambling-related harm.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans calls for compulsory levy on gambling firms to fund research and treatment of gambling related harm”

Bishop of Worcester raises need for more mental health crisis support for young people

On Tuesday 27th November 2018 Lord Storey asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to develop mental health support in schools.” The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, while I am grateful for the increased funding that is now available for mental health services for young people, is the Minister aware of the real difficulties facing young people in a crisis situation? I am thinking of a 14 year-old who asked his father to take him to the GP because he was afraid he might do something silly. The GP sat and listened very sympathetically, but then said, “I’m afraid there’s very little I can do for you. If I give you a referral to CAHMS you probably won’t get an appointment for a year”. Is that not a crisis situation? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester raises need for more mental health crisis support for young people”

Church Commissioners Written Answer – redundant churches

On 27th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question about support for redundant or under-utilised churches:

Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Church Commissioners receive from Her Majesty’s Government to enable them to maintain (a) redundant and (b) under-utilised churches. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer – redundant churches”