Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Oxford asks Government about link between benefit delays and food bank use

On 9th March 2017 Labour Peer Baroness Sherlock asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the impact on claimants of the time taken between applying for Universal Credit and receiving payments.” The Bishop of Oxford, Rt Revd Steven Croft, asked a follow up question.

The Lord Bishop of Oxford: My Lords, in the last three months I have visited a large number of food banks across the diocese of Oxford in seemingly affluent communities, building on my experience of food banks in the diocese of Sheffield. All have underlined to me that the most common reason why people access food banks is delay in accessing welfare payments. Continue reading “Bishop of Oxford asks Government about link between benefit delays and food bank use”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about help for minority people in Iraq to return to their homes

On 9th March 2017 the Bishop of Coventry asked a question in the House of Lords that he had tabled, on help for displaced minority communities in Iraq. His question and follow-up, with those of other Members is reproduced below.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help displaced minority communities in Iraq to return to their homes in areas liberated from Daesh.

The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Lord Bates) (Con): My Lords, UK aid is supporting vulnerable people, including minorities, to return to their homes in areas liberated from Daesh in Iraq. With UK funding, the UN is helping people to return home by restoring light infrastructure, re-opening hospitals and schools, and providing cash assistance to people who need to re-establish their livelihoods.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: I thank the Minister for his reply and pay tribute to the Government’s work thus far. The Minister may like to know that I was in Iraq in January and was gladdened by personal assurances from the President, the Prime Minister and the Iraqi authorities about their desire to rebuild the diverse fabric of the society. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about help for minority people in Iraq to return to their homes”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to improve enforcement action against fly tipping

stalbans190117On 8th March, the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what further action they are taking to deal with the recent rises in fly-tipping.’ The exchange between the Bishop and the Minister is below, with the follow up questions from other Members.

The Lords Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In so doing, I express my regret that I could not find a suitable topical for International Women’s Day.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to improve enforcement action against fly tipping”

Bishop of Leeds asks question on male abusive behaviour

leeds-20117On 8th March 2017, Baroness Verma asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what steps they are taking to help men who seek support in addressing their abusive behaviour’. The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow up question.

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, does the Minister agree that there are certain problems in the wording of this Question? Most men who engage in abusive behaviour do not recognise it as abusive and do not seek support, so there has to be a very important balance between preventive and restorative measures.

Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks question on male abusive behaviour”

Bishop of Durham asks Government about resources for unaccompanied child refugees

On 6th and 7th March 2017 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received written answers to questions he had asked of Government about resources and capacity available to help unaccompanied child refugees.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that local authorities have sufficient resources to accept unaccompanied child refugees in the financial year 2017–18. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about resources for unaccompanied child refugees”

Bishop of Chester asks about Vauxhall-Opel’s long-term viability

On Monday 6th December, Lord Prior of Brampton repeated a Government statement in the House of Lords regarding the acquisition of Vauxhall-Opel. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a supplementary question.

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, the Ellesmere Port plant is in my diocese and its closure at any time would be a disaster for that area on the banks of the Mersey. I recognise that that is not in immediate prospect, but can the Minister say more about the strategy to make the long-term loss-making Vauxhall-Opel group more profitable? If GM could not do it, how does Peugeot Citroën plan to do it? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks about Vauxhall-Opel’s long-term viability”

Church Commissioner Questions – wi-fi, art, South Sudan, House of Bishops’ Report, building repairs

spelman-190117bOn 2nd March 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered oral and written questions in the House of Commons, covering wi-fi in churches, art exhibitions in churches, the Anglican Church in South Sudan, the House of Bishops’ Report on Human Sexuality, and church building repairs. A full transcript follows:

Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions – wi-fi, art, South Sudan, House of Bishops’ Report, building repairs”

Bishop of St Albans asks about local business rates

stalbans190117On 1st March 2017, the Bishop of St Albans asked a follow up question to Lord Kennedy of Southwark’s oral question on business rates. Lord Kennedy asked what action the government proposed to take in light of concerns expressed about the increases in business rates.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, will the Minister inform the House whether Her Majesty’s Government would look at the feasibility of setting the threshold of business rate relief at a local level, thereby protecting small independent businesses, many of which are now at risk, especially in high-value areas? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about local business rates”

Church Commissioners – Clergy Credit Unions

spelman-190117On 1st March 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Mark Hendrick MP on the Churches Mutual Credit Union.

Churches: Credit Unions

Mr Mark Hendrick (Preston): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Churches Mutual Credit Union (CMCU) has to allow members of religious denominations other than the Church of England and the Catholic churches to become members of the CMCU. (64096) Continue reading “Church Commissioners – Clergy Credit Unions”

Church Commissioner Written Question – Procurement

On 1st March 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered two written questions from Jon Trickett MP about the membership of the Churches Mutual Credit Union and procurement procedures in the Church Commissioners.

spelman-190117Church Commissioners: Procurement

Jon Trickett MP (Hemsworth): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, how many Church Commissioners’ staff oversee contracts which have been awarded to external providers. (64993)

Dame Caroline Spelman: The Church Commissioners external contracts are managed either in partnership with the other National Church Institutions through shared office services schemes or by the Corporation of Church House, who manage the building. Continue reading “Church Commissioner Written Question – Procurement”