Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Durham calls on Government to speed up reception of unaccompanied refugee children

Bp Durham June 2015 bOn 16th March 2016 Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the current refugee crisis in Europe in the light of the regional election results in Germany that indicate gains for the anti-migrant Alternative für Deutschland party.” The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow up question: 

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, does the Minister support the speeding-up of the reception of unaccompanied minors who have a family reunification right to come to this country? Will the Government explore further reunifications and accepting more unaccompanied minors into this country?

Continue reading “Bishop of Durham calls on Government to speed up reception of unaccompanied refugee children”

Bishop of St Albans asks about the social impact of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

On 15th March 2016, the Lord Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the social impact of category B2 gaming machines.” The Earl of Courtown responded on behalf of the Government.

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The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the social impact of category B2 gaming machines. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about the social impact of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals”

Bishop of Durham says prevention must stay at top of agenda for those tackling child abuse

On 14th March 2016 Lord Lexden asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to ensure that the police, social services and other agencies work together effectively to protect vulnerable children from sexual abuse.” The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow up question:

Bp Durham June 2015 bThe Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I declare my interests in relation to safeguarding for the Church of England, in which connection I shall be at the Goddard inquiry on Wednesday morning. Will the Minister agree that prevention must stay at the top of the agenda for all agencies, both statutory and voluntary, in responding to the crime of child sexual abuse and, in so doing, recognise that potentially every single child is vulnerable and that grooming must be one area of concern? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham says prevention must stay at top of agenda for those tackling child abuse”

Bishop of Leeds asks about effect of UK leaving the EU on UK nationals living abroad

BpLeeds2On the 4th, 9th & 14th March 2016 the Bishop of Leeds received written answers to questions about the implications for UK citizens overseas if the UK should decide to leave the EU.

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications of a decision by the UK to leave the EU for those UK nationals resident in other EU member states. [HL6398]

Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about effect of UK leaving the EU on UK nationals living abroad”

Church Commissioners: Impact of Landfill Communities Fund

Church CommissionersOn the 10th March the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Nic Dakin MP about the impact of changes to the Landfill Communities Fund on church buildings.
 Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the proposed changes to the Landfill Communities Fund on the restoration and repair of listed church properties and church buildings.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners: Impact of Landfill Communities Fund”

Bishop of Durham raises targeting of faith-based schools by campaign groups

On 9th March 2016 Lord Watson of Invergowrie asked Her Majesty’s Government “why they are proposing to prevent some parents and organisations from objecting to violations of the School Admissions Code”. The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow up question.

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The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, we know that some campaign groups are actually targeting faith-based schools as part of a broader agenda. How many of the upheld objections were unrelated to religious selection criteria, and how many were upheld on minor administrative infringements? Are the significant time and resources used to respond to such objections justified in the light of those numbers? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham raises targeting of faith-based schools by campaign groups”

Bishop of St Albans asks about localism and Starter Homes

Bishop St Albans June 2015On 7th March 2016, Lord Shipley asked the Government “what is their definition of affordable housing.” The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question and Baroness Williams of Trafford responded. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about localism and Starter Homes”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to ensure new prison designs take account of mental health needs

On 3rd March 2016 Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to tackle the incidence of deaths, serious assaults and incidents of self-harm in prison.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, in the light of the welcome announcement last autumn that a number of the old, unsuitable prisons were going to be replaced with purpose-built ones, will the Minister assure the House that the specifications for those new-builds will take very careful account of mental health issues, consulting with the charities that are dealing with this particular area and producing excellent educational, medical and spiritual facilities, so that we can minimise the level of mental health problems and maximise rehabilitation? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to ensure new prison designs take account of mental health needs”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsOn 2nd March the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received two written answers to questions of Government on the building of a separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following its decision to start building the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley, and in particular regarding building works on the privately owned land of Beir Onah in Beit Jala. [HL6278]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about help for Iraqi refugees in Jordan

On 2nd March 2016 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to three written questions on the plight of Iraqi refugees in Jordan.
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The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conditions facing Iraqi refugees in Jordan. [HL6275]

Baroness Verma: The situation for many refugees in Jordan is challenging, irrespective of nationality. Services are provided by the international community and the Government of Jordan based on a system of prioritisation of the most vulnerable and Iraqi refugees are included in this system. Like all refugees, Iraqis are registered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and access assistance from UN agencies, international NGOs and national NGOs. Partners assess vulnerability in Jordan at individual, community and household levels. These vulnerability assessments take into account positive coping strategies and support networks, which are understood to be better established among the Iraqi community, including through religious institutions such as mosques and churches. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about help for Iraqi refugees in Jordan”