Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of London asks Government to work with church schools on youth volunteering

Bp London 131015On 11th July 2016, Lord O’Shaughnessy asked the Government “what steps they are taking to promote long-term, full-time volunteering among young people.” The Bishop of London, the Rt Hon and Rt Revd Richard Chartres, asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, bearing in mind the more than 1 million young people—ethnically very diverse and from every part of the country—in Church of England schools, will the Minister authorise a direct conversation with the national society about the virtues of volunteering, with a view to joint action, a joint strategy and disseminating good practice? Continue reading “Bishop of London asks Government to work with church schools on youth volunteering”

Church Commissioner Written Answer: Human Trafficking

Caroline SpelmanOn 7th July 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Jim Shannon MP on human trafficking:

Jim Shannon (Strangford): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps are being taken by the Church of England to tackle human trafficking.

Mrs Caroline Spelman: In March 2014 the Archbishop of Canterbury, with Pope Francis and other global faith leaders, gave their backing to the Global Freedom Network (www.globalfreedomnetwork.org), a ground breaking ecumenical initiative to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. The Archbishop is planning an international conference in 2017 with the Ecumenical Patriarch.  Continue reading “Church Commissioner Written Answer: Human Trafficking”

Church Commissioner written answer: First World War commemorations

Caroline SpelmanOn 7th July 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Jim Shannon MP on commemorations for the First World War:

Jim Shannon (Strangford):  To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England has plans for educational projects to commemorate the First World War in addition to existing centenary events.

Mrs Caroline Spelman: The Church of England has led many of the commemorative events for the First World War at a local and national level. It would not be possible to list all the activities taking place now and in the future to commemorate the sacrifice of those who fought in the First World War, but each diocese and parish is marking the centenary in its own way. Continue reading “Church Commissioner written answer: First World War commemorations”

Bishop of Ely asks Government about future of university research after UK withdrawal from EU

Ely 2On 7th July 2016 Baroness Sharp of Guildford asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the impact of the outcome of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union on the short-term and long-term participation of UK universities in Horizon 2020 research collaborations and the Erasmus Programme”. The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, I declare an interest as a visitor to a number of colleges in Cambridge. In my conversations with the vice-chancellors of both Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University, which is in Cambridge, not only were they very concerned that there was a risk of losing £500 million of research funding for Cambridge and for the Russell group universities but—rather than the money—they were much more concerned about soft diplomacy and the free movement of scholars, which may be affected in the future. Continue reading “Bishop of Ely asks Government about future of university research after UK withdrawal from EU”

Church Commissioner questions: Out of school settings, human trafficking, women bishops, House of Lords, poverty, church toilets

On 7th July 2016 Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP answered questions from MPs in the House of Commons, in her capacity as Second Church Estates Commissioner. Questions were asked on out of school settings, human trafficking, women bishops, bishops in the House of Lords, poverty and church toilets.

Mr Speaker: Order. We come now to questions to the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the right hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), representing the Church Commissioners, and to the right hon. Member for South West Devon—[Interruption.] I mean the hon. Member for South West Devon (Mr Streeter)—it is only a matter of time—representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission.

 

Spelman CCQs June 2015 4Church Commissioners

The right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners was asked— Continue reading “Church Commissioner questions: Out of school settings, human trafficking, women bishops, House of Lords, poverty, church toilets”

Bishop of Ely responds to statement on Chilcot report on Iraq War

ElyOn 6th July 2016, Earl Howe repeated a Government statement on the Chilcot Inquiry. The Bishop of Ely, Rt. Rev. Stephen Conway, responded to the statement.

 

The Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, I take the opportunity to draw out what has already been implicit in what has been said so far this afternoon about the deep moral dimension of what we are discussing. I agree with the noble Lord that our troops need not only the assurance of our support, through the covenant, that they have been doing their duty, but the right to believe that what they had been entered into was right and that, when they sacrifice their lives or their continued health, they understand that they were doing something that was entered into with great integrity in the service of others. Continue reading “Bishop of Ely responds to statement on Chilcot report on Iraq War”

Bishop of St. Albans asks Government about the classifaction of development aid

Bishop St Albans June 2015On 6th July 2016, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale asked Her Majesty’s Government “when they will publish the outcome of the Bilateral Aid Review.” The Bishop of St. Albans, the Rt. Rev. Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:My Lords, I am a strong supporter of the Government’s aid and development commitments, but I am concerned about the porous lines between international aid and furthering the national interest. As the International Development Committee stated back in March, poverty reduction must remain a top priority for UK aid. Can the Minister indicate whether Her Majesty’s Government will seek to strengthen the conditions under which government spending can be classed as overseas development aid?

Bishop of Salisbury raises concerns about impact on civilians of Sudanese Government military actions

SalisburyOn 6th July 2016, Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the current situation in Sudan in the light of continuing military offensives and aerial bombardments by the Government of Sudan in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur”. The Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: My Lords, I should like to underline the points made by the noble Baroness in her opening question about the significance of deliberate and targeted terrorism by the Sudanese Government on their own people, particularly in the bombing in the Nuba mountains, where Anglican schools have been repeatedly destroyed. My own diocese, the diocese of Salisbury, has a link with what is now Sudan and South Sudan that goes back more than 40 years, and there is a delegation from the Anglican communion in Sudan this week. Will the Minister inform the House how the Government intend to continue to provide leadership in relation to humanitarian aid in this continuing crisis?

Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury raises concerns about impact on civilians of Sudanese Government military actions”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to consider removing incentives to bulk buying of alcohol

St Albans 2On 5th July 2016 Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe asked Her Majesty’s Government “when they expect Public Health England to publish its independent evidence-based report on alcohol”. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, back in 2011 the Scottish Government passed legislation which meant that there was no financial advantage in multibuy alcohol purchases so that each can or whatever it was would be the same price. That has discouraged the bulk buying of alcohol and as a consequence has reduced levels of harmful drinking. Have Her Majesty’s Government considered a similar law, and if not, why not? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to consider removing incentives to bulk buying of alcohol”

Bishop of Ely urges Government to speak out against attacks on EU citizens living in UK

On 4th July 2016 Lord Soley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what role they see for the United Kingdom in relation to the European Union”. The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, asked a follow up question.

ElyThe Lord Bishop of Ely: Whatever happens in the long term, in the meantime will the Government speak up trenchantly against the ugly and unseemly behaviour of some of our fellow citizens in the way they speak to and are violent towards citizens from the EU who are resident here, and who are productive citizens in our midst?

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The right reverend Prelate is of course not only right but clearly has the complete agreement of this House. This country has proved throughout its history that it not only tolerates but welcomes those who come here to contribute to our society. I deplore attacks upon them.

(via Parliament.uk)