Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Derby asks Government about procedures for identifying benefit fraud

On 15th October 2015 the Bishop of Derby, Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, received answers to three written questions on how Jobcentre Plus deals with benefit fraud.

Bishop of DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask Her Majesty’s Government

(i) what policy is in place to enable Jobcentre Plus officers to identify benefit fraud.

(ii) how Jobcentre Plus officers report suspected benefit fraud.

(iii)  whether there is a statutory obligation for Jobcentre Plus officers to report suspected benefit fraud.  Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks Government about procedures for identifying benefit fraud”

Bishop of Bristol asks Government about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record

On 13th October 2015 the Bishop of Bristol, Rt Rev Mike Hill, received answers to two written questions of Government on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Bishop of Bristol June 2015The Lord Bishop of Bristol: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the appointment of Saudi Arabia to head a panel at the UN Human Rights Council. Continue reading “Bishop of Bristol asks Government about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record”

Bishop of Coventry raises case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and capital punishment in Saudi Arabia

On 13th October 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions on the use of crucifixion as criminal punishment in Saudi Arabia and the case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to Saudi Arabia regarding the use of beheading and crucifixion as criminal punishments.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, especially in cases which do not meet the minimum standards defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We believe it undermines human dignity and there is no evidence that it works as a deterrent. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry raises case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and capital punishment in Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government if counter-terrorism measures are preventing funds reaching humanitarian agencies in Syria

13.10 Bishop of CoventryOn the 30th September 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question of Government about the effectiveness of counter terrorism legislation and its impact on NGOs based in Syria.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of current counter terrorism legislation; and whether it prevents funding of Syrian non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations who are best placed to respond to the humanitarian emergency in Syria. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government if counter-terrorism measures are preventing funds reaching humanitarian agencies in Syria”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about aid to Syrians and protection of civilians from war crimes

On the 23rd and 24th September 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions of Government about overseas aid to Syria and the protection of civilians from war crimes.

Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that targeted aid reaches civilians in communities and towns under siege in Syria.

Baroness Verma: The UK is deeply concerned that, according to UN figures, 422,000 people currently live in besieged areas in Syria. DFID works with trusted humanitarian organisations that endeavour to assist these populations and others in hard-to-reach areas.

The UK strongly condemns and calls for an end to the unlawful denial of access to impartial humanitarian partners. We have been instrumental in securing the passage of three UN Security Council Resolutions – 2139, 2156 and 2191 – demanding that all parties respect international humanitarian law and allow unhindered humanitarian access. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about aid to Syrians and protection of civilians from war crimes”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about labelling of goods produced in Israeli settlements

On 24th September 2015 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question for Government about the labelling of products from Israeli settlements.

Bp Southwark May 2015The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made in securing a European Union decision on the labelling of products from Israeli settlements.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about labelling of goods produced in Israeli settlements”

Bishop of Worcester asks Government about aid and protection for civilians in Iraq

On the 23rd and 24th September 2015 the Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, received answers to questions of Government about Iraq – on humanitarian aid, the impact of military action on civilians and support for building an inclusive state.

WorcesterThe Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure humanitarian access to civilian communities in Iraq in need of aid who are caught up in the fighting.

Israel: Bishop of Coventry asks Government about attacks on church property and the funding of Christian schools

Bp Coventry May 2015On 24th September 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions of Government on attacks on church property in Israel and the funding of Christian schools.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the number of “price tag” attacks on church property in Israel.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We condemn all extremist violence, including those attacks against religious buildings. Whilst most ‘price tag’ attacks have taken place in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, we are aware that on 18 June the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, on the Sea of Galilee, was set on fire and vandalised with graffiti. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised this at the time with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and National Security Council. Continue reading “Israel: Bishop of Coventry asks Government about attacks on church property and the funding of Christian schools”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about plans to investigate Sharia law in Britain

On 24th September 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question of Government about the proposed independent investigation of Sharia law in Britain.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the undertaking by the Home Secretary, made in a speech on 23 March, to set up an independent investigation into the application of Shari’a law in Britain will be fulfilled; and when that investigation is expected to report.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about plans to investigate Sharia law in Britain”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about impact of the separation barrier on a two-state solution for Israel/Palestine

On 21st September 2015 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to two written questions on the impact of the separation barrier on prospects for an Israel/Palestine two-state solution:

Bp Southwark May 2015The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the viability of a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine following the decision to resume construction of the separation barrier in Beir Ona, near the Cremisan Valley. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about impact of the separation barrier on a two-state solution for Israel/Palestine”