Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Church Commissioners Written Answer: Children in Care

Caroline SpelmanOn 5th September 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Graham Allen MP about the Church of England’s response to a report on abuse at Kendall House, Gravesend.

Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England plans to respond to the report by Professor Sue Proctor on abuse at Kendall House, Gravesend, published in July 2016. Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer: Children in Care”

Church Commissioners written answer: Churches in Blackburn

Caroline SpelmanOn 5th September 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Mark Hendrick MP about churches in the Diocese of Blackburn and the English Churches and Cathedrals Sustainability Review.

Mr Mark Hendrick (Preston): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, which churches and personnel in Preston and the rest of the Diocese of Blackburn have participated in the English Churches and Cathedrals Sustainability Review. Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer: Churches in Blackburn”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about death penalty and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia

Bp Coventry May 2015On 29th July and 2nd August 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions of Government on capital punishment and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about the use of the death penalty against
minors. [HL1354]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made this year to the government of Saudi Arabia regarding the use of beheading and crucifixion as criminal punishments. [HL1355]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the decision by the Specialised Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia to sentence Ali Mohammed Baqir Al-Nimr, Abdullah Al-Zaher and Dawood Al-Marhoon to death by crucifixion for seeking democratic reforms in that country. [HL1357] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about death penalty and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about violence against Hindus in Pakistan

Bp Coventry May 2015On 29th July 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a questions on violence against Hindus in Pakistan:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current level of violence against Hindus in Pakistan.

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about violence against Hindus in Pakistan”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about human rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh

Bp Coventry May 2015On 29th July 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to two questions on human rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the human rights situation in Bangladesh, especially in relation to the right to freedom of religion or belief. [HL1247]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh about human rights violations against Hindus and bringing to justice those responsible for the destruction of temples and other places of worship. [HL1248] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about human rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about building on brownfield sites

St Albans 2On the 21st July 2016 Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty’s Government “what progress they are making in encouraging the development of brownfield sites.” Rt Revd Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: This is not just about housing, important though that is—not least the fact that we are not building enough homes, especially affordable and starter homes; it is also about how we will solve some very difficult, long-term environmental problems relating to brownfield sites. Does the Minister agree that this really is an area where, for example, the housing association sector, with some quite focused work and grants, can make a huge difference both in solving environmental problems and in making a significant contribution to our housing shortage?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about building on brownfield sites”

Bishop of Southwark asks about safety of unaccompanied children in Calais Jungle camp

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsOn 20th July 2016 Lord Dubs asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the threatened demolition of the Calais Jungle camp and the position of child refugees.” The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I welcome the noble Baroness to her post. Mindful of the fact that over 200 children went missing when the southern part of the camp was dismantled, will a commitment be given in the case of unaccompanied children to avoid the perils of sudden dispersal? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about safety of unaccompanied children in Calais Jungle camp”

Bishop of St Albans asks about delays in farm payments

On 20th July 2016 the Earl of Shrewsbury asked Her Majesty’s Government “what progress has been made to rectify delays in payments from the Single Farm Payment Scheme.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

St Albans 2The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, those of us in touch with the farming community are deeply aware of the 13,000 cases that are being reassessed at the moment, and we are grateful for what is being done to expedite that. The important question is: how will the system be reviewed and resourced so that this does not happen in future years? Can the Minister assure us that something is being done to guarantee that we have a better system? In particular, will he reconsider appointing a specific case worker for each application to try to see them through? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about delays in farm payments”

Bishop of Southwark asks about human rights and religious freedom in Turkey

On 19th July 2016 the House of Lords heard a Government statement repeated about the attempted coup in Turkey. The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow up question:

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsThe Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Baroness on her appointment and I share the deep regret expressed by Her Majesty’s Government at the loss of life in Turkey. Is the Minister aware that on Saturday the three leaders of the main faith communities in Turkey—Jewish, Christian and Muslim—released a joint statement condemning the attempted coup and urging peace? Many religious minorities in Turkey opposed the coup. I welcome what the Minister has said about religious liberty, but what conversations are Her Majesty’s Government having with the Turkish Government to encourage them to resist using these events as an opportunity to curtail basic human rights and the right of freedom of religion and belief? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about human rights and religious freedom in Turkey”

Bishop of St Albans asks about affordable housing in rural and coastal areas

St Albans 2On 19th July 2016 Lord Shipley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of their ability to achieve their target of one million new homes by 2020.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the 2015 spending review announced £60 million of grants to respond to the problem caused by second home ownership in areas with desirable coastal and rural housing. The aim was to provide affordable housing in perpetuity for local families who would otherwise be priced out of market. We were expecting an announcement on that but certain events intervened recently. Can the Minister assure us that this will go ahead and when it will come on stream? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about affordable housing in rural and coastal areas”