Bishop of Chester urges caution and clarity on any move to extend 10 year period for freezing embryos

On 12th July 2018 Baroness Deech asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to review the 10-year limit on the storage of frozen eggs for social reasons under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.” The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, a man speaks with considerable hesitation on this very sensitive subject. Does the Minister agree that part of the success of the original Act was that there were certain clear boundaries laid out in it, not least the 14-day limit for experimentation on embryos? Therefore, whatever is decided in the future, I think the spirit of clarity is essential as we go forward. I can see the case for the 10-year limit being extended, but it needs to be done in a way that is quite clear in order to protect everybody.

Baroness Manzoor: The right reverend Prelate is absolutely right, and I have indicated that this is a very complex area that needs to be considered very carefully. ​Of course, we must not forget that fertility begins to decline after the age of 35, so we do need to keep these issues continually under review.

via Parliament.uk

Church Commissioner Questions: ordinations, church schools, modern slavery, metal theft, inter-faith relations, London churches

On 12th July 2018 Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, answered questions from MPs on ordination numbers, church schools, modern slavery, metal theft, inter-faith relations and growth of the church in London. A full transcript is below: Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions: ordinations, church schools, modern slavery, metal theft, inter-faith relations, London churches”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about draft National Planning Policy Framework

 

StAlbans161117

On 11th July 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith received written answers to four questions on the draft National Planning Policy Framework:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: 

(i) To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to develop local-connection criteria for the proposed Entry Level Exception Site policy in the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about draft National Planning Policy Framework”

Peers back call by Bishop of St Albans for Government to cut stakes on betting machines without delay

On 10th July 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question he had tabled to Government about the date for bringing in the promised reduction in stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals. The Bishop of Chester also asked a follow-up question and a full transcript of the exchanges is below:

Gambling: Fixed-odds Betting Terminals
Question

Asked by the Lord Bishop of St Albans:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the stake on fixed-odds betting terminals will be lowered to £2. Continue reading “Peers back call by Bishop of St Albans for Government to cut stakes on betting machines without delay”

Bishop of Durham says support for community in Salisbury and Amesbury as important as support for local economy

durham-230117On 9th July 2018 Baroness Williams of Trafford repeated a Statement updating the House on the Amesbury incident which the Home Secretary had previously made in the Commons. The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, responded to the Statement:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, as it happens, over the weekend I was talking to a member of the clergy who is a resident of Salisbury. I simply asked her how it feels, and she said, “Grim and deeply disturbing”, because of the second occurrence. She said that people were just beginning to come out of this and now they do not know how to react. She was talking about community life, businesses and so on. In exploring support for businesses, does the Minister understand that this feels like a double hit for people in Salisbury, and that community encouragement and up-building is needed, not simply economic support? I ask this largely in the name of my noble friend the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Salisbury. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham says support for community in Salisbury and Amesbury as important as support for local economy”

Bishop of Oxford asks Government about use and handling of NHS data records

On 5th July Baroness Thornton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they will take to ensure that National Health Service patients have equitable access to the benefits of (1) artificial intelligence, (2) genomic medicine, (3) new drugs, and (4) innovative treatments.” The Bishop of Oxford, Rt Revd Steven Croft, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Oxford: My Lords, the Question also asked about artificial intelligence. Can the Minister comment on the steps being taken to improve data transfer across different NHS trusts, and standardisation? Are steps being taken to ensure the ethical release of data for research purposes? Continue reading “Bishop of Oxford asks Government about use and handling of NHS data records”

Bishop of Gloucester asks if enough attention is given to prison alternatives when women are sentenced

On 3rd July 2018 Baroness Burt of Solihull asked Her Majesty’s Government “how they will ensure that provision for women in the prison system is properly funded, following their decision to abandon plans for five community prisons for women in England and Wales.” The Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I am grateful that Her Majesty’s Government do not intend to open new women’s prisons, as has been said, and I am grateful for the assurance that more money will be put into women’s centres. However, what work will be done to ensure that those who sentence know what is actually available in the community? Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks if enough attention is given to prison alternatives when women are sentenced”

Bishop of Chester asks government about EU plans for managing migrants and refugees

Chester 301017On 2nd July 2018 Baroness Evans of Bowes Park repeated a Statement on the European Council that had been made by the Prime Minister earlier that day in the House of Commons. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster, asked a question about regional disembarkation platforms, which are proposed centres for dealing with migrants and refugees seeking to enter the EU:

The Bishop of Chester: Can the noble Baroness tell the House more about the proposed regional disembarkation platforms? How would they operate and where would they be likely to be established? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks government about EU plans for managing migrants and refugees”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about forestry commission land

On 29th June 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question on forestry commission land:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hectares of land managed by the Forestry Commission in England are (1) open habitat, (2) agricultural land, (3) quarries, (4) car parks, and (5) built development. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about forestry commission land”

Vote: Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill

On 27th June 2018 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill. The Bishop of Chester took part in a vote on an amendment to the Bill:

Continue reading “Vote: Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill”