Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Gloucester asks Government to increase support for children with a parent in prison

gloucester071117-bOn the 30th October 2018 the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester asked a question she had tabled, on Government action to increase support given to children with a parent in prison. The exchange, including the follow-up questions of other Members, is reproduced below:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to support the children of prisoners.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Con): My Lords, having a parent in custody can have a very significant impact on a child. We must understand the diverse needs of these vulnerable children and provide the necessary support. For example, recent government reforms mean that prison governors now have the budget and the flexibility to commission family services that work for their prisons and in their communities.

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: In 95% of cases where a mother receives a custodial sentence, a child has to move home. Unlike a child in care who moves home, the child of someone in custody has no guarantee of a place at the local school, and the person looking after that child receives no financial support. Will the Minister commit to identifying children of those in custody as a specific group, and ensuring that they and their carers receive the necessary support? Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks Government to increase support for children with a parent in prison”

Bishop of St Albans criticises appalling delay in bringing in stake reduction on betting machines

On 30th of October Lord Griffiths of Burry Port asked the Government  whether they will introduce legislation to reduce the maximum bet for fixed-odds betting machines to £2; and if so, when. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: Many of us who have been speaking and campaigning on this issue were appalled yesterday to hear about the further time that it will take to implement this. These machines are predominantly found in the poorest areas. The research is quite clear: they cause huge poverty. On top of that, it is estimated that every day between one and two people commit suicide for gambling-related reasons. That is not only a huge social cost; it is a massive financial cost, far more than the £400 million relevant tax revenue that Her Majesty’s Government receive each year. Surely it is time to do this for the sake of everyone in our country. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans criticises appalling delay in bringing in stake reduction on betting machines”

Bishop of St Albans asks about link between suicides and gambling addiction

On 30th October 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer from Government about suicides linked to problem gambling or gambling addiction:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of suicides that were linked to gambling addiction or problem gambling from 2010 till 2018. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about link between suicides and gambling addiction”

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?

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester questions Government about overcrowding on the railways”

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.

 

Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about impact of Brexit on food security”

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.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer – Social Housing”

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”