Bishop of Peterborough asks about long term support to rebuild Syria

PeterboroughFeb2017aOn 5th April 2017, Baroness Northover asked Her Majesty’s Government “how they are intending to respond to the chemical attack seemingly carried out by the Syrian Government on civilians in the town of Khan Sheikhoun.” The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a follow up question about future international efforts to rebuild Syria after peace is secured in the area.

The Lord Bishop of Peterborough My Lords, as the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury said yesterday, we on these Benches mourn with the people of Idlib and we pray for justice and an end to violence. However, if and when peace is finally secured in the region, the scale of suffering and damage experienced by the people of Syria over the past six years will demand enormous and costly international effort if Syria is to be rebuilt. Will Her Majesty’s Government commit not just to supporting the people of Syria in the short term but to supporting the decades-long process of restoration that will inevitably be needed once the present crisis is over? Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough asks about long term support to rebuild Syria”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about working with grassroots organisations to deliver relationships support

stalbans190117-bOn 5th April 2017, Baroness Tyler of Enfield asked Her Majesty’s Government what progress they are making in assessing the bids submitted by local authorities for the Department for Work and Pensions Local Family Offer programme funding for relationship support services; and when local authorities which have submitted bids will be notified of the outcome. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question about collaboration with grass-roots organisations.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans My Lords, perhaps I may build on the response just given by the Minister. The Government can only do so much and we certainly need to see joined-up thinking and action if we are going to help these families.What are Her Majesty’s Government doing to ensure that when local authorities bid for funding for the local family offers, they are working collaboratively with grass-roots organisations—charities, churches and so on—which are already seeking to build up relationship capacity in families? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about working with grassroots organisations to deliver relationships support”

Archbishop of York asks Government about hospital patient transport waiting times

york-170117-cOn 4th April 2017, Lord Harries of Pentregarth asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what steps they are taking to reduce waiting times for patients using hospital patient transport.’ The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. John Sentamu, asked a follow up question.

The Archbishop of York: My Lords, the Minister speaks with such clear diction that we can hear every word he says. He is not producing a drama, but although I have been listening to him carefully, I do not think that he has answered the Question put to him by the noble and right reverend Lord, Lord Harries. He asked what steps were being taken,

“to reduce waiting times for patients using hospital patient transport”.

I did not hear the answer. All I heard was that the Minister was willing to have a word with him, but it is not just about the noble and right reverend Lord and his wife. A lot of other people are in the same predicament. We want to know what those steps are. That is the nature of the Question and, if I did not hear the response, I apologise. Continue reading “Archbishop of York asks Government about hospital patient transport waiting times”

Bishop of Peterborough asks Government about progress towards eradicating leprosy

14.02 PeterboroughOn the 3rd April 2017, Baroness Hayman tabled a debate in the House of Lords, asking the Government “what is their assessment of progress made in combating neglected tropical diseases since the London Declaration made in January 2012.” The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Donald Allister, highlighted the lack of progress towards the eradication of leprosy. Lord Bates responded on behalf of the Department for International Development.
Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough asks Government about progress towards eradicating leprosy”

Bishop of Worcester raises concerns about viability of two-state solution for Israel/Palestine

WorcesterOn the 3rd April 2017, Baroness Tonge asked the Government “what plans they have to commemorate the centenary of the Balfour Declaration.” The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, asked a follow-up question.

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, will the Minister accept that there is grave concern about facts on the ground tending to suggest the impossibility of a two-state solution? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester raises concerns about viability of two-state solution for Israel/Palestine”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about action to reduce prison suicides

On 3rd April 2017 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question on prison suicides.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the increasing annual number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons since 2012, what steps they are taking to reduce the number of such deaths. [HL6247] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about action to reduce prison suicides”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about impact of gambling on children

stalbans190117-bOn the 3rd April 2017 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith,  received two written answers on the impact of gambling on children:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the position paper published by the Gambling Commission in March concerning online gambling using virtual in-game currencies, whether they will take further steps to protect children from being exposed to such gambling. [HL6429]

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about impact of gambling on children”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about future of Motability

stalbans190117On the 30th March 2017 Baroness Thomas of Winchester asked the Government ‘what steps they are taking to support independent living for disabled people of working age’. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a further question relating to the Motability scheme.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the Motability scheme is a crucial element for getting people back into work, yet about 50,000 people have lost out on it. What is particularly worrying is that the vast majority of appeals are upheld, by which time those concerned have lost the vehicle and then have to get it again. It is costing a lot of time and money. Would Her Majesty’s Government consider having a scheme whereby people do not lose the vehicle until the end of the appeal process? This would make much more sense where the appeal is upheld. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about future of Motability”

Bishop of Winchester asks about transparency of negotiations for leaving European Union

Bishop of WinchesterOn 29th March 2017, the Leader of the House of Lords repeated a Government statement made in the House of Commons on triggering Article 50. The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a question.

The Lord Bishop of Winchester My Lords, from these Benches we welcome the Prime Minister’s Statement, especially the intention of both sides to work together as a priority to solve the complex issues of EU and EEA nationals, not least the many students and academics in our universities.

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks about transparency of negotiations for leaving European Union”

Bishop of Southwark acknowledges the benefit of publicly owned broadcasting to the UK

SouthwarkOn 29th March 2017, Lib Dem Peer Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury asked Her Majesty’s Government when the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will announce its conclusions on the future status of Channel 4. The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a supplementary question on the benefit of publicly funded broadcasting.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark acknowledges the benefit of publicly owned broadcasting to the UK”