On the Friday 6th March the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry, answered a written question from the conservative MP James Gray on the subject of the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.
Category: Questions
Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons
Archbishop of Canterbury questions Government about preventing further destabilisation of South Sudan
On the 4th March 2015 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent developments in Sudan, with particular reference to the continuing aerial bombardment of civilians in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, asked a supplementary question:
The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, during two visits to South Sudan last year, both in Juba and in the fighting area, it was evident that there was widespread belief and evidence that the Government of Sudan were not only interfering in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur with these terrible acts, but seek further to destabilise the already terrible situation in South Sudan. What steps do this Government believe should be taken and what steps are they taking with the international community to stop this cross-border interference?
Baroness Northover: The cross-border area is again a very difficult area to be working in. Our sense of things in terms of South Sudan is that we have huge challenges there in trying to get the parties to some kind of agreement. The Government of Sudan themselves are playing a non-obstructive role generally speaking. However, given all the instability on the border that the most reverend Primate talks about, it is exceptionally difficult.
(via Parliament.UK)
The Bishop of Norwich calls for protection of academy funding
On 3rd March 2015, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch asked Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have issued to individual academy schools regarding the £2.5 billion held in their reserves. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, asked a supplementary question:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, some academies and other schools have secured private funding which they ring-fence to finance a chaplain, international links or some other good purpose. For the avoidance of doubt, will the Minister give an assurance that such funds are not to be treated as free reserves? Further, will he encourage academies to secure such funding?
Lord Nash (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools): I entirely agree with the right reverend Prelate and I pay tribute to his very good work in the school system in Norfolk. We should welcome such funds into the school system. We should welcome people who bring these funds and give their time freely. It is a development that we should seek to encourage.
(Via Parliament.uk)
Bishop of St Albans asks questions on homelessness and the Somerset Rivers Authority
On 2nd March 2015, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to written questions on the Somerset Rivers Authority and homelessness.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to ensure that the legislative process of making the Somerset Rivers Authority a precepting body progresses in order for it to be established by April 2016.
The review will look into all possible funding options and how they could be implemented.
(Via Parliament.uk)
Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review their policies and resources which support relationships, in the light of recent research by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Salvation Army which suggests that relationship breakdown is the most common cause of homelessness.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government): This Government has increased spending to prevent homelessness, making over £500 million available to help the most vulnerable in society and have kept strong protections to guard families against the threat of homelessness. As part of this funding we have maintained investment in local authority homelessness prevention services, providing £320 million since 2010/11 which has helped local authorities to prevent over 730,000 cases of homelessness. Almost 38,000 of these were helped to stay in their home through mediation and conciliation schemes.
(Via Parliament.uk)
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for voice of refugees to be heard in Syrian peace negotiations
On 26th February 2015, Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty’s Government what measures they and the host states are planning to prevent Syrian refugees becoming permanent residents in those states. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, asked a supplementary question:
The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, given that, as the Minister will be aware, peace agreements in this area have been done to the people, from Sykes-Picot nearly 100 years ago onwards, what contacts are the Government making with those who are in the camps and need to have a voice in the peace settlement, and in particular with women’s groups?
Baroness Northover: The most reverend Primate is right to highlight this. There is constant contact with those in the camps, to try to engage them in moving things forward. With regard to support for women and girls, we are acutely aware of how vulnerable they are, and we have a number of programmes to help support them. As he will probably know, we are very concerned about early marriage and so on, and those who are particularly vulnerable to that. We are trying to ensure that we link up to support those girls so that that does not happen, and seeking out leaders to help protect girls and women more widely.
(via Parliament.uk)
Bishop of St Albans – Libraries (Written Answer)
On 26th February 2015, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer to a written question on library closures in the UK.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of library closures on educational standards across the United Kingdom.[HL5085]
Baroness Jolly (Government Whip): The DCMS has not made any assessment of the impact of library closures on educational standards across the United Kingdom. Every Library Authority has a duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.
(via Parliament.uk)
Bishop of Worcester – Russia and Eastern Europe (Written Answers)
On 26th February 2015, the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, received answers to two written questions, on the subject of security in Russia and Eastern Europe.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, as a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to bring about renewed discussions with Russia on a possible Euro-Atlantic security community. [HL5013] Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester – Russia and Eastern Europe (Written Answers)”
Bishop of Carlisle calls for broadband access in rural schools
On 25th February 2015, Lord Holmes of Richmond asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of broadband speeds, capacity and coverage in rural areas of the United Kingdom and in city technology hubs such as the Old Street roundabout. The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Revd James Newcome, asked a supplementary question:
The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, many small rural schools, for instance in Cumbria, where I come from, struggle to access a high-quality broadband connection. That results in pupils missing out on educational opportunities through not having a good internet-based information supply. Can the Minister tell us what assessment the Government have made of this situation and how they intend to address it?
Lord Ashton of Hyde: My Lords, the right reverend Prelate makes a very good point. We are obviously concerned that schools have the benefit of superfast broadband, which is important if schools are to take advantage of the opportunities offered by learning technology. However, not every school is the same. Schools have the autonomy to buy a connection that meets their needs. Schools’ connectivity needs will vary depending on the size and type of school. The Government’s £780 million investment programme in broadband infrastructure will increase the broadband options available to schools, including to rural schools.
(via Parliament.uk)
Bishop of Carlisle highlights concerns about victims of violence detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre
On 24th February 2015, Baroness Bakewell asked Her Majesty’s Government “what requirements were set in the contract for Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre recently reawarded to Serco regarding the dignity and privacy of women detained there”.
The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Revd James Newcome, asked a supplementary question:
The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, in view of the concerns expressed only last Friday by the Joint Committee on Human Rights about women and girls who claim to have been victims of violence and are detained at Yarl’s Wood under the fast-track process, can the Minister tell us whether the Government have any plans for a screening process for people in that position?
Bishop of Coventry – Religious Freedom in India (Written Answers)
On 23rd February 2015, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received answers to three written questions on the subject of freedom of religion in India.
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in India following the election of Prime Minister Modi. [HL4820]
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations have they made to the government of India regarding the practice of forced, fraudulent or induced conversions of Christians and Muslims to Hinduism in India. [HL4821] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry – Religious Freedom in India (Written Answers)”
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