Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishops of St Albans and Leeds question the Government about humanitarian situation in Syria

stalbans190117-bOn the 22nd February 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Dr Alan smith asked an urgent (Private Notice) Question in the House of Lords about the humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta in Syria. The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, also asked a question during the follow-up. Both the Bishops’ contributions can be found below.

 Syria: Eastern Ghouta – Private Notice Question

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to respond to the crisis in Eastern Ghouta in Syria. Continue reading “Bishops of St Albans and Leeds question the Government about humanitarian situation in Syria”

Bishop of Gloucester highlights long term funding needs for women’s centres in prison sector

Gloucester071117 bIn the House of Lords on the 22nd February 2018 the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, asked a question she had tabled to Government about their long-term plans for the prison sector, specifically plans for the funding of women’s centres.

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their vision for the long-term future of the prison system.

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Keen of Elie) (Con): My Lords, we shall seek to maintain a prison system that is sufficient for public protection and will provide opportunity for the rehabilitation of offenders. Where it is necessary for offenders to be deprived of their liberty, their detention should be decent and safe.
 The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, in 2015, the Justice Committee of the other place concluded that funding for women’s centres, “appears to be a recurring problem”. Ten years after the report of the noble Baroness, Lady Corston, can the Minister assure me that secure, long-term funding for women’s centres is now a high priority?

Bishop of Winchester raises attacks on Christians in Sudan

winchester171116On the 22nd February 2018 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the situation in Sudan, with particular reference to violations of human rights and access to those in need of humanitarian aid”. The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow-up question about the arrest of Christian leaders and the demolition of churches and schools.

The Lord Bishop of Winchester:  My Lords, since 2011 there have been reports that the Government in Sudan have arrested Christian leaders, demolished churches and prevented church properties from being registered. My Anglican colleagues from the Sudan advised me that church schools are able to open only four days a week, because the Government require that schools are closed on Fridays and Saturdays—of course, Sunday is a holy day for Christians. How much more can the Government ensure that the rights of religious minorities are respected in Sudan?

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester raises attacks on Christians in Sudan”

Bishop of Winchester asks Government about impact of ageing society on social care costs

Bishop of WinchesterOn the 21st February 2018 Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty’s Government what priority they give to the provision of and funding for local neighbourhood services. The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow-up question about the pressures on Local Authority services and social care.

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, in relation to the wider concern about neighbourhood services, we are yet to see the Green Paper on social care outlining plans for improved care for older people in an ageing population. From my own diocese, I am aware of the financial pressures on councils and the pressures that they are facing from the cost of social services for the elderly as they increase. Hampshire County Council expects an additional 1,000 over-85 year-olds every year. What assessment have the Government made of the demands on local social care services in the light of our current ageing population?

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks Government about impact of ageing society on social care costs”

Bishop of Winchester asks about apprenticeships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds

On 20th February 2018 the Bishop of Winchester, Rt Rev Tim Dakin, asked a question he had tabled to Government about apprenticeships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The exchange with the Minister and subsequent questions from other Members are below:

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks about apprenticeships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds”

Bishop of Durham receives answers to written questions on Child Tax Credits

14.06.10 Bishop of Durham 4On 19th February 2018 the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, received answers to three written questions on Child Tax Credits, following up questions asked in January. 

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 25 January (HL4634), with reference to their commitment to publishing statistics relating to exceptions to the limit on Child Tax Credits support to two children, what is their criteria for “sufficient cases”. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham receives answers to written questions on Child Tax Credits”

Archbishop of Canterbury receives answer to written question on Democratic Republic of Congo

Archbishop of CanterburyOn 19th February 2018 the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, received an answer to a written question on the Democratic Republic of Congo. The question was originally tabled on 5th February 2018.

The Archbishop of Canterbury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to recent reports of civilian deaths and arrests following the crackdown on peaceful Church protests by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury receives answer to written question on Democratic Republic of Congo”

Bishop of St Albans asks about investment in women’s centres as an alternative to prison

On 8th February 2018 Lord Lee of Trafford asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the size of the prison population and conditions within prisons.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question about women in prison:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, research by the Ministry of Justice shows that women’s centres have a statistically significant effect on decreasing reoffending rates, are substantially cheaper than keeping women in custody and often allow families to stay together. Will the Minister use his department’s evidence to invest in women’s centres that treat women holistically as the best way forward for many women? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about investment in women’s centres as an alternative to prison”

Bishop of St Albans responds to government statement on Taylor Review of modern working practices

On 7tStAlbans161117h February 2018, the Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Lord Henley made a statement regarding the Taylor Review of modern working practices. The  Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, a number of things are to be welcomed in the Government’s response to the Taylor report but perhaps I may pick up on one small thing. One recommendation is that the Government should develop a free online tool to provide individuals with an indication of their employment status and rights. However, do the Government not realise that a large proportion of the workers who are most vulnerable to exploitation are the very ones who will have least access to that sort of digital connectivity? Will the Minister make a commitment that the question of how more vulnerable people can access this information will be looked at closely when implementing this recommendation? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans responds to government statement on Taylor Review of modern working practices”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about plastics recycling

On 7th February 2018, Baroness Neville-Rolfe asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what action they are taking to reduce the use of plastic and to ensure that the maximum amount of plastic can be recycled.’ The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith asked a follow-up question: 

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, last year the Environmental Audit Committee recommended a legislated deposit return scheme for plastic drink bottles, which has proved extraordinarily successful in the US, Norway and Germany in improving collection rates and reducing littering. When do the Government plan to do the same in this country? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about plastics recycling”