Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about human rights in Eritrea

On 12th January 2016 Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the recent UN Special Rapporteur’s report on the plight of unaccompanied minors who are refugees from Eritrea.” 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, I am grateful to the Minister for highlighting what is causing the problem. The UN special rapporteur has identified in this report quite a number of reasons that are driving this terrible situation and, in particular, highlighted human rights issues. A number of people have been arrested, such as the politician Mr Ali Omaro, journalists and the G15 group. Can the Minister update us on the situation of those high-profile people who have been arrested and detained? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about human rights in Eritrea”

Bishop of Rochester raises work of churches with rough sleepers

On the 11th January 2016 Baroness Grender asked the Government “what steps they are taking to reduce the number of people who are sleeping rough”. Rt Revd James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester, asked a supplementary question. 

RochesterThe Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, in my capacity as chair of the charity Housing Justice, an interest that I declare, I am very aware of the work of church and community winter night shelters. Indeed, the organisation provides a charter mark for such initiatives. In the winter of 2014-15, these shelters used some 500 church and other buildings, including mosques and synagogues, to provide winter accommodation, along with tens of thousands of volunteers who welcomed several thousand guests. Sadly, this work is expanding, although I wish it were not. Perhaps I may invite the Minister to affirm the Government’s support for initiatives such as winter shelters not simply as places of temporary shelter but, more importantly, as places where homeless people can be assisted to find longer term, permanent solutions to their circumstances. Continue reading “Bishop of Rochester raises work of churches with rough sleepers”

Bishop of St Albans raises detention of Chinese human rights lawyer

On 30th December 2015, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer to a written question concerning the detention of Chinese Human Rights lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang.

StAlbans171115The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the detention and trial of human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang in China. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans raises detention of Chinese human rights lawyer”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about postcode lottery in direct housing payments

StAlbans171115On the 22nd December 2015 Baroness Lister of Burtersett asked Her Majesty’s Government “how they propose to respond to the results of the Evaluation of Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy: Final Report.” The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith asked a supplementary question.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about postcode lottery in direct housing payments”

Bishop of Peterborough highlights importance of social cohesion in countering terrorism

14.02 PeterboroughOn 21st December 2015 Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty’s Government “whether, as part of their antiterrorism strategy, they will encourage leaders of the United Kingdom’s Muslim communities to identify, confront and expose their violent co-religionists.” The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a follow up question: Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough highlights importance of social cohesion in countering terrorism”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about private sponsorship schemes for Syrian refugees

On 17th December 2015 Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty’s Government “whether they will follow the example of the government of Canada in welcoming further Syrian refugees”. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

StAlbans171115The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I congratulate the Government on the first 1,000 refugees being brought in. I hope that this will continue apace. On the Question of the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, which draws on the experience of Canada, since 1979 the Canada private sponsorship programme has enabled 200,000 refugees to be settled in that country. Privately sponsored refugees are likely to make up around 40% of those coming in over the forthcoming months. It is a good example of big society, whereby churches and community groups are given responsibility for working with resettlement programmes. Have Her Majesty’s Government looked into the experience of Canada, and are they considering developing similar programmes in the UK based on that good experience? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about private sponsorship schemes for Syrian refugees”

Church Commissioner Questions – Syrian refugees, fossil fuel investments, hedgehogs

On the 17th December 2015 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered four oral questions in the House of Commons about Syrian refugees, fossil fuel investments and the protection of hedgehogs.

Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions – Syrian refugees, fossil fuel investments, hedgehogs”

Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief in Iraq

On 16th December 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions on religious freedom in Iraq.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Iraq’s National Identity Law, and the impact that it will have on religious minorities in Iraq and their right to freedom of religion or belief.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned by Iraq’s proposed National Identity Law, in particular Article 26 which could restrict freedom of religion or belief, which is a basic human right. We welcome the resolution adopted by the majority of the Iraqi Council of Representatives on 17 November declaring its intention to amend the law. The National Identity Law is yet to be discussed since Parliament has been in recess. We will continue to monitor this issue closely. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief in Iraq”

Bishop of Peterborough calls for culture change in way NHS treats those with learning disabilities

On 15th December 2015 Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust’s decision to list Down’s syndrome as a reason to issue a Do Not Resuscitate order to a patient.” The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a follow up question.

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, from these Benches we affirm that those with Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities and handicaps are fully human and fully made in the image of God. We believe that the chief mark of a civilised society is the way it cares for the most vulnerable. Can the Government, through the Minister, indicate what they can do to change the culture, training and attitudes within the NHS—and perhaps within society more widely—to make sure that mistakes such as the one made by this junior doctor are not made again? Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough calls for culture change in way NHS treats those with learning disabilities”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about financial cost of UK air strikes in Iraq and Syria

On 15th December 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received answers to two written questions to Government on the cost of air strikes in Iraq and Syria. 


Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the financial cost to date of UK air strikes against Daesh in Iraq.

Earl Howe: It is not possible to separate out the costs of military action in Iraq from that of wider counter-Daesh operations due to the inter-related nature of UK military activity. The net additional cost of UK counter-Daesh operations to date is approximately £150 million. This includes around £80 million for military operations between August 2014 – 31 March 2015 and a net additional cost to date in this financial year of around £70 million. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about financial cost of UK air strikes in Iraq and Syria”