Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Ely asks Government about funding for more women’s centres

On 11th June 2018 Baroness Fall asked Her Majesty’s Government “what percentage of women in prison have dependants under 16 years old; and what is the average length of stay in prison for such women.” The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, the Ministry of Justice has produced clear evidence that women’s centres are effective at reducing reoffending, provide joined-up community services to support physical and mental health needs and give more opportunities to women to have access to their children. What assessment does the Minister make of the need for increased funding to sustain and open more women’s centres? Continue reading “Bishop of Ely asks Government about funding for more women’s centres”

Church Commissioners: St. Mary the Virgin, Seaham

On 11th June 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Grahame Morris MP on St. Mary the Virgin Church, Seaham: Continue reading “Church Commissioners: St. Mary the Virgin, Seaham”

Bishop of Carlisle asks Government about access to treatment for leukaemia patients

On 7th June 2018 Lord Forsyth of Drumlean asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to ensure that clinicians in England are able to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia by prescribing Ibrutinib in accordance with NICE guidelines.” The Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Revd James Newcome, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister for meeting some of the patients suffering from this terrible disease. Can he tell us whether anyone directly affected by blood cancer was consulted before the initial decision was made by NHS England to restrict access to Ibrutinib? Can he assure the House that NICE guidelines will not often be varied—and then only after consultation with patients? Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle asks Government about access to treatment for leukaemia patients”

Church Commissioner Questions: modern slavery, Middle East peace, Church of Scotland relations, LGBTQ community, bell ringing, Nigerian Christians, religious literacy, overseas orphanages, affordable housing, gay conversion therapy.

On 7th June 2018 Dame Caroline Spelman MP, representing the Church Commissioners, answered questions in the House of Commons from MPs on modern slavery, Middle East peace,  Church of Scotland relations, LGBTQ community, bell ringing, Nigerian Christians, religious literacy, overseas orphanages, affordable housing, and gay conversion therapy.  A transcript is below:

The right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked— Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions: modern slavery, Middle East peace, Church of Scotland relations, LGBTQ community, bell ringing, Nigerian Christians, religious literacy, overseas orphanages, affordable housing, gay conversion therapy.”

Church Commissioners’ written answer: Pemberton tribunal

On 6th June 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner Dame Caroline Spelman MP answered a written question from Ben Bradshaw MP about legal costs in the Jeremy Pemberton tribunal case:

Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): To ask the Honourable Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, how much the Church of England spent on the employment tribunal involving Jeremy Pemberton; and if she will make a statement. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ written answer: Pemberton tribunal”

Bishop of Durham asks about Burundi Constitutional Referendum

On 5th June 2018, the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a response to a written question about the UK Government’s representations to the government of Burundi: 

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Burundi following the Constitutional Referendum there on 17 May. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about Burundi Constitutional Referendum”

Bishop of St Albans asks government about Forestry Commission land

On 4th June 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about the Forestry Commission:

The Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hectares of land were leased out by the Forestry Commission in (1) 2000, (2) 2005, (3) 2010, (4) 2015, and (5) 2018. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks government about Forestry Commission land”

Bishop of Carlisle asks about SEN funding for small schools

Carlisle141217bOn 4th June 2018 Lord Storey  asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the impact of education, health and care plans on children with special educational needs.” The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Revd James Newcome, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, in Cumbria where I live, a huge proportion of schools are classified as small and are often very small. Their funding, especially for children with special educational needs, is greatly limited by their ability to access economies of scale. Does the Minister agree that in smaller schools educational outcomes can at present be disproportionately affected by current funding models? Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle asks about SEN funding for small schools”

Church Commissioner written answer: out-of-school education

On 30th May 2018, Dame Caroline Spelman, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, answered a written question from Bob Blackman, the Conservative Member for Harrow East, about the Church’s view of the Government’s consultation on out-of-school education settings:

Bob Blackman: To ask the Honourable Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, could she update the House on the view of the Church of England’s Education Office following the publication of the Government’s response to the Out-of-school education consultation. Continue reading “Church Commissioner written answer: out-of-school education”

Bishop of Worcester raises critical situation of Anglican-run hospital in Gaza

On 24th May Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty’s Government “whether they intend to provide support to the Palestinian Authority in its complaint against Israel to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and if so, how”. The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, while argument goes on internationally about who was responsible for what happened in Gaza, is the Minister aware of the enormous suffering that continues there, particularly since the dreadful events of a little while ago? At the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, run by the Anglican Church in Gaza, for example, the situation is described as critical. Is the Minister aware of that? What humanitarian aid is being provided to the people of Gaza at present, particularly to those injured? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester raises critical situation of Anglican-run hospital in Gaza”