Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

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”

Bishop of Peterborough asks whether Government is addressing China’s North Korean refugee policy

14.02 PeterboroughOn 28th February, Lord Alton of Liverpool asked the Government,  in the light of the sanctions imposed by China against North Korea following the assassination of Kim Jong-nam and the recent ballistic missile test, whether they will call in the North Korean Ambassador. The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a follow up question about the Government’s engagement with China over their policy to return North Korean refugees to the country.  Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough asks whether Government is addressing China’s North Korean refugee policy”

Bishop of Durham asks Government if it will accept unaccompanied child refugees in next financial year

durham-230117On 27th February 2017 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question about unaccompanied child refugees.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will accept unaccompanied child refugees under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 in the financial year 2017–18. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government if it will accept unaccompanied child refugees in next financial year”

Bishop of Chester asks Government about London-Chester rail service

ChesterOn 23rd February 2017 Lord Shipley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to ensure that HS2 will maximise links between cities in the north of England and with Scotland.” The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, currently there is an excellent two-hour direct service at 125 miles an hour between London and the city of Chester. Will being able to get to Manchester—wherever Manchester is—in an hour call into question the current excellent direct service between London and Chester? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks Government about London-Chester rail service”

Bishop of Southwark asks about the impact of benefit cap on children of single parents

southwark-20feb17On 22nd February 2017, Lord McKenzie of Luton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what estimate they have made of the extent to which the new lower benefit cap will encourage people into work or to move into smaller homes”. The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow up question.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, according to the Government’s own impact assessment nearly a quarter of a million children are affected by the reduced benefit cap, more than two and a half times the number of affected adults. This includes many preschool children in lone-parent families at greater risk of poverty. Given that the prime aim here is to encourage more people into work, will the Minister consider exempting single parents with young children, who would not otherwise be expected to work under the current benefit rules and who rely on familiar social networks and services?

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about the impact of benefit cap on children of single parents”