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”

Bishop of Winchester asks Government about access to healthcare for residents of the Occupied Territories

winchester171116

On the 28th March 2017 Baroness Sheehan asked a question about access to healthcare in East Jerusalem for residents from the Occupied Territories. The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a supplementary question:

The Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, we have heard how the people of the Occupied Territories continue to face challenges accessing emergency care. The diocese of Jerusalem provides hospitals and health centres across this area, but many of the vital facilities and services are not fully operational because the equipment cannot be calibrated and staff lack accreditation. What conversations have Her Majesty’s Government had with the Israeli Government to facilitate the necessary inspections to ensure that these and similar facilities become operational and therefore reduce the reliance of Palestinian people on reaching hospitals in East Jerusalem?

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks Government about access to healthcare for residents of the Occupied Territories”

Church Commissioners: salaries

On 23rd March 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Jon Trickett MP about pay grades in the Church Commissioners:

Jon Trickett (Hemsworth): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2017 to Question 64993, on procurement, what the pay grades are of the (a) five members of staff in the property investments team and (b) seven members of staff in the investment team. Continue reading “Church Commissioners: salaries”

Church Commissioners: Yoga on church premises

On 23rd March 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Thangam Debbonaire MP about yoga on church premises:

Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance is issued to churches on allowing church premises to be used for yoga classes. Continue reading “Church Commissioners: Yoga on church premises”