Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Winchester questions Government about overcrowding on the railways

On the 29th of October Baroness Randerson asked an oral question in the House of  Lords about the steps the government were taking to modernise rail fares.  The Rt Revd Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, asked a supplementary question: 

18.03.20 Winchester 2

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, the modernising of rail fares is one aspect of a range of changes needed in our rail service. The Transport Secretary has announced £1.3 billion of investment in spacious trains yet despite this there is still overcrowding, cancellation and delay. Staff operating train services are also unhappy and just last week, on the South Western Railway line that I use regularly, I am afraid that there were regular cancellations and further overcrowding. Can the Minister outline what action will be taken between now and the implementation of the rail review reforms in 2020 to address the urgent issues of rail cancellations, delays and significant overcrowding?

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Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about impact of Brexit on food security

On 23rd October 2018 the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, asked a question on behalf of the Bishop of St Albans, on Brexit and food security. A transcript of the follow-up question and those of other Members is below:

Brexit: Food Security

Tabled by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of food security following Brexit.

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: I beg leave to ask the Question in the name of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans, who has been detained on other business.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Gardiner of Kimble) (Con): My Lords, Defra regularly assesses the security of food supply and has well-established relationships with industry on supply chain resilience. The UK has a high degree of food security, as shown by the UK Food Security Assessment. This is built on access to diverse sources of supply, including our domestic ​production. I declare my farming interests as set out in the register. Consumers will continue to have a wide choice of food after we leave the EU.

 

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Bishop of Ely asks Government about impact of citizenship fees on children’s welfare

On 23rd October 2018 Baroness Lister of Burtersett asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what assessment they have made of the impact on children of the £1,012 fee to apply to register their entitlement to British citizenship.’ The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, has the Minister been in contact with the many school leaders who say that there are issues not only around identity, but around the economic harm done to children through food insecurity and their basic needs not being met? I wonder whether, even ahead of the review, an undertaking might be given to waive fees for the poorest children, particularly those who are looked after. Continue reading “Bishop of Ely asks Government about impact of citizenship fees on children’s welfare”

Church Commissioners Written Answer – Social Housing

On 19th October 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP answered a written question from the Rt Hon. Frank Field MP on social housing.

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Church Commissioner Questions – Wonga, religious freedom, community use of churchyards, First World War. 

On 18th October 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions from MPs in the House of Commons on Wonga, religious freedom, community use of churchyards and commemoration of the First World War.  A full transcript is below: Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions – Wonga, religious freedom, community use of churchyards, First World War. “

Bishop of Chester asks about sexual abuse cases

On 18th October 2018 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘whether they are aware of the case of “Sarah” who was, as reported in the Daily Mail on 14 September, held captive by a grooming gang for 12 years; and if so, what assessment they have made of that case and its implications.’ The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, the Minister’s answers have related largely to child sexual abuse, but this is not a child case—it is a case of a vulnerable adult. I know it is a difficult issue, but I wonder whether a culture in which it is acceptable to pay for sexual services does not encourage some of the regrettable attitudes we have seen in these dreadful cases. Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks about sexual abuse cases”

Bishop of Leeds highlights support for One Yorkshire devolution deal

On 17th October 2018 Lord Wallace of Saltaire asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘whether they will respond to the One Yorkshire proposals for devolution to a Combined Yorkshire Authority.’ The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow up question: 

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, we take the point about the Sheffield city region, but it leaves the rest of Yorkshire wondering where it fits in, and when this will improve for it. We have failing rail infrastructure. In Yorkshire, we have almost total, widespread support for the One Yorkshire devolution deal. A report produced by the Institute for Government has referred to Yorkshire as,

“the hole in the northern powerhouse”.

Although delighted that Sheffield might thrive, the rest of Yorkshire wonders what will happen to it. We are falling behind Manchester and Liverpool in our ability to flex in the economics of the country. Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds highlights support for One Yorkshire devolution deal”

Bishop of Leeds responds to Government statement on Brexit negotiations

Leeds0518On 15th October 2018 Baroness Evans of Bowes Park repeated a Statement that had previously been made by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on Brexit negotiations. The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, responded to the Statement:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, the question I have is not political, it is phenomenological. The statement:

“We cannot let this disagreement derail the prospects of a good deal and leave us with a no-deal outcome that no one wants”,

is a statement of unreality. It is clear that there are people, even within the Cabinet, who would be very happy with a no-deal outcome. I wonder if the Minister could comment.

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Bishop of London asks Government about purposeful activity for prisoners, and role of chaplaincy in rehabilitation

On 15th October 2018 the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, asked a question she had tabled to Government on prisons. Her follow up question and those of other Members is reproduced below:

The Lord Bishop of London: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to ensure that every prisoner can participate in purposeful activity during their sentence.

 Lord Keen of Elie: My Lords, the introduction of offender management in custody and the associated staffing means that prisons will be better equipped to run fuller regimes with more opportunities for purposeful activity. Our education and employment strategy, launched in May, will create a system where prisoners are on a path to employment through increased opportunities to gain experience of work in communities while released on temporary licence

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his response. In Prisons Week, does he accept that continuous efforts must be made to ensure that our prisons are places of safety for those serving their sentences, and are places of hope for those who intend to avoid reoffending once released? Although I welcome the constructive use of additional staff through the promising new offender management in custody scheme, I invite the Minister to acknowledge the important role that chaplaincies, community chaplaincies, charities and churches can play in the rehabilitation of offenders. Continue reading “Bishop of London asks Government about purposeful activity for prisoners, and role of chaplaincy in rehabilitation”

Bishop of Leeds asks about religious literacy in processing asylum claims

Leeds0518cOn 15th October 2018 Baroness Berridge asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what plans they have to improve the assessment by the Home Office of asylum applications made on the grounds of religious or belief based persecution.’ The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow up question:

The Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, before training is rolled out, will some religious leaders in this country be consulted on what sort of training might be appropriate, and the sort of questions that may be asked of asylum seekers? At the moment, I should be hard-pressed to answer some of them. Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about religious literacy in processing asylum claims”