Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Archbishop of Canterbury responds to Government statement on Syrian refugees

On the 7th September 2015 the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, responded to the Prime Minister’s statement about Syrian refugees and counter-terrorism, which had been repeated in the House of Lords by Baroness Stowell.

Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury: I warmly welcome this start in the response of domestic hospitality, which comes in addition to the very considerable work that we have done overseas through the overseas aid budget and the work of the Royal Navy. It is on that basis that, challenged by this, the churches, starting this morning, are working urgently to add to what they have already been doing locally, and to work together to achieve and support a coherent, compassionate and credible public policy.

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Bishop of St Albans asks government about support for not-for-profit debt management advice services

On the 7th September 2015 Lord Sharkey asked the Government ‘what assessment they have made of the thematic review Quality of Debt Management Advice published by the Financial Conduct Authority in June 2015′. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith asked a supplementary question.

Bishop St Albans June 2015The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, given that the FCA report discovered that not-for-profit organisations were better at giving impartial debt advice, will the Minister tell us what plans Her Majesty’s Government have to ensure that those organisations have sufficient funding to be able to offer that service to the 8.8 million people in the UK who are in need of debt management advice? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks government about support for not-for-profit debt management advice services”

Bishop of Peterborough asks Government about support for disabled children at risk of sexual exploitation

On the 7th September 2015 Baroness Benjamin asked the Government ‘what steps they are taking to protect children with learning difficulties and disabilities from sexual exploitation.’ The Bishop of Peterborough the Rt Revd. Donald Allister asked a supplementary question regarding increasing therapeutic support for children at risk.

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, given that abused children often do not show symptoms for some years, and that children with learning disabilities tend to show symptoms in different ways that are not as easily recognised, does the Minister agree that all children who are subject to sexual harm prevention orders or sexual risk orders should receive assessment of their needs and therapeutic support even before signs or symptoms are shown?

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Bishop of St Albans asks government about plans for a national living wage

On 3rd August 2015 the Bishop oBishop St Albans June 2015f St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to written questions on the government’s plans for a National Living Wage, and on the income pressures faced by young people:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to bring the National Living Wage in line with the rate recommended by the Living Wage Foundation by incorporating adjustments for cost of living and support received through tax credits. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks government about plans for a national living wage”

Bishop of St Albans raises case of journalists detained by Egyptian authorities

On 29th July 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question to HM Government about the cases of Al Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, on trial in Egypt. Amnesty International is campaigning for their release. 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Egypt on behalf of Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed.

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Bishop of St Albans raises gambling addiction and social problems of fixed-odds betting terminals

Bishop St Albans June 2015On 22nd, 23rd & 24th July 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to written questions on the scale of gambling addiction in Greater London and fixed-odds betting terminals:

Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the research undertaken by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling into the social problems caused by fixed-odds betting terminals. [HL1485]

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Forced marriage – Bishop of St Albans asks Government about scale of problem

On 24th July 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to three written questions on forced marriage.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases the Forced Marriage Unit was involved in, or gave support and advice to, in 2014. Continue reading “Forced marriage – Bishop of St Albans asks Government about scale of problem”

Bishop of Peterborough asks Government about the role of arts and humanities in education

14.02 PeterboroughOn the 22nd July 2015 Lord Aberdare asked the Government ‘how they plan to ensure that the United Kingdom retains its global position in the creative sector in the light of plans announced in June to require all state secondary school pupils to study five English Baccalaureate core subject areas, which exclude any music, arts or culture element’. The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Donald Allister asked a supplementary question.

The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, does the Minister agree that education is about not just national productivity but the whole of human flourishing? The arts, music and cultural subjects in general are essential to that.

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Bishop of St Albans asks the Government about protecting children from payday loan adverts

Bishop St Albans June 2015On the 21st July 2015 Lord Lennie asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what steps they are taking to protect children from payday loan advertisements in the light of the review conducted by the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice’. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question:

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Bishop of Bristol asks Government about palliative care and the future of hospital chaplaincy

Bishop of Bristol June 2015
On the 8th of July 2015 the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Mike Hill, received two written answers to questions about the future of hospital chaplaincy and palliative care.

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