Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about immigration application appeal targets

Bishop St Albans June 2015On 16th May 2018, Lord Roberts asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to improve the assessment of immigration applications by UK Visas and Immigration, given that 40 per cent of immigration appeals heard by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals in 2016 were granted.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question. 

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, there has been much discussion about targets for the number of removals over the past few weeks, which we are all aware of. As the average length of time that these appeals are taking is increasing, is it not the case that we need some targets to reduce the length of time, because people are being left in limbo with their lives are on hold as these are going through?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about immigration application appeal targets”

Bishop of Durham asks about costs of daycare for children

Durham161117On 16th May 2018 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler received a written answer to a question on the costs of daycare for children: 

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the costs and benefits of extending the 30 hours free childcare for three and four year olds to families where parents are in training to prepare for work.

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Bishop of Worcester asks Government about ‘real, substantial hope’ for Gaza

On 15th May 2018, Lord Ahmad repeated the answer to an urgent question asked in the House of Commons on violence at the Gaza border and its impact on the Middle East peace process. The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, responded:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I am grateful to Her Majesty’s Government for the careful yet very specific response they have given to the appalling loss of life at the border between Gaza and the state of Israel yesterday. The thoughts and prayers of this Bench are with all those affected. It is good to know that the Minister supports an independent review of what happened. At the same time, will the Minister agree that, while the United Kingdom recognises the integrity of the border—and, indeed, of all Israel’s pre-1967 borders—and the security of Israel’s prosperous and pluriform society, the defence of its interests must offer tangible hope to those with whom it hopes to engage in dialogue? The phrase, “a glimmer of hope” was mentioned a moment ago. I was in Gaza about four years ago. The situation then was desperate ​and deteriorating. It is infinitely worse now. What real, substantial hope can be given to those who live in what is effectively a vast open prison? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks Government about ‘real, substantial hope’ for Gaza”

Bishop of Durham asks Government about alternatives to prison detention in immigration removals

On the 15th May 2018 Lord Beecham asked Her Majesty’s Government an urgent (private notice) question, “what measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of asylum seekers during periods of detention in the prison system and during their removal from the United Kingdom”. The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow-up question about alternatives to detention:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, would the Minister agree that this case supports why we need to develop alternatives to detention as a matter of priority? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about alternatives to prison detention in immigration removals”

Bishop of Durham asks Government about renewable energy and development

On the 15th May 2018 Baroness Sheehan asked the Government “how much overseas development assistance was spent on fossil fuel subsidies in the most recent reporting period.” The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow up question about small-scale, off-grid energy systems.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, 1.06 billion people on the planet currently live without modern energy services. Renewable energy, particularly small-scale and off-grid energy systems, will play a key role in making sure that energy-poor communities have access to affordable and reliable electricity. DfID’s Energy Africa campaign is an excellent example of this. Will the Minister update the House on the progress of that campaign since its launch in 2015, and elaborate on the Government’s plans for spending on small-scale, off-grid energy systems? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about renewable energy and development”

Bishop of Leeds asks Government about support for cathedrals

Leeds 300418 bOn 14th May Lord Cormack asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to assist England’s historic cathedrals.” The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow-up question:

The Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, does the Minister agree that underlying this Question is the need for some long-term attention to be given to cathedrals, rather than having one-off initiatives such as the First World War repairs fund? I extend to him an invitation to visit my diocese—I am the only bishop with three cathedrals, so I can take him on a tour. Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks Government about support for cathedrals”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about forced marriage victims

Bishop St Albans June 2015On 14th May the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage:

The Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on payment of emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage overseas. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about forced marriage victims”

Bishop of Chester asks Government about the family test

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On 9th May Lord Farmer asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the policies recommended in the Manifesto to Strengthen Families, published on 6 September 2017; and what steps they plan to take in response to those recommendations.” The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, prior to publication of the manifesto, the previous Prime Minister declared that a family test would be applied to all government policy. Would this not require not just a Cabinet-level overseer but for each department to have someone responsible for applying the family test? Does that exist? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks Government about the family test”

Bishop of St Albans urges Government to protect children from gambling advertising

On 3rd May 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question of Government that he had tabled on the impact of gambling advertising.

The exchange with the Minister, and the follow-up questions of others is reproduced below:

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Bishop of Salisbury asks question about plastic packaging and polyester in clothing

On 2nd May Lord Dubs asked Her Majesty’s Government “what action they plan to take to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging for food, drink and other consumer items.” The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nick Holtam, asked a follow-up question: 

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