Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of St Albans presses Government to ratify Istanbul Convention

On 18th November 2014, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer from Home Office Minister Lord Bates on the subject of the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to ratify the Istanbul Convention now that the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill 2014 has received Royal Assent. [HL2559]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates): The Coalition Government signed the Istanbul Convention on 8 June 2012 signalling its strong commitment on tackling violence against women and girls. The UK already has some of the most robust protections in the world against violence towards women and we already comply with the majority of the articles to the convention. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans presses Government to ratify Istanbul Convention”

Bishop of St Albans presses Government to tackle cold calling by payday lenders

On 17th November 2014, Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Sharkey asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to bring organisations which make cold calls connected with the promotion, or sale, of financial services or products under the regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question:

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I wonder if I could press the Minister again, particularly on payday loans. The recent report published by the Children’s Society, Playday not Payday, has highlighted the regulatory gap whereby payday loan companies can make unsolicited marketing calls, whereas, as we have heard, mortgage providers are not allowed to. That report showed that over 40% of people who have taken out payday loans are receiving on average more than one unsolicited phone call a day. Does the Minister not agree that the provisions that prevent the mortgage providers from making that sort of marketing approach really must now be brought in for the payday loan companies in order to protect those who are most vulnerable?

Lord Newby: The very specific arguments that apply in respect of mortgages do not apply to payday loans. The key thing about payday loans at the moment is that the payday loan companies are being regulated for the first time, which is leading to a collapse in the number of payday loan companies, so that it is expected that we may end up with as few as four payday loan companies in operation at the end of this process. However, the FCA is undertaking an in-depth thematic review of the debt management sector to assess the quality of advice and the area mentioned by the right reverend Prelate. If it finds substantial evidence of consumer detriment of the kind he suggests, it will be able to consider the scope of further regulations.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Norwich asks question on Gangmasters Licensing Authority

On 17th November 2014, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, received an answer to a written question from the Home Office on the subject of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

14.06.12 Bishop of NorwichThe Lord Bishop of Norwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to extend the powers of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 in order to regulate gangmasters in sectors such as hand car washes. [HL2564]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates): The Government has no plans to extend the licensing remit of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to additional sectors such as hand car washes. Licensing can be an appropriate response to particular problems in particular sectors, but that does not mean it is appropriate in all cases. However the Government will keep the Gangmasters Licensing Authority’s remit under review.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Peterborough calls on Government to support adoption of Living Wage

On 11th November 2014, Lord Haske asked Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the report by the Resolution Foundation Low Pay Britain 2014.The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a supplementary question:

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, now that the economy is picking up, will the Minister comment on the living wage and on whether the Government believe that the minimum wage really is enough?

Lord Ashton of Hyde: The right reverend Prelate is right to bring this subject up. The minimum wage is a minimum as a catch-all; the Government support people and businesses paying above that, if they can pay the living wage, but only when it is affordable and not at the expense of jobs. In BIS, the department I represent, we have recently increased the pay of the lowest-paid workers in the department so that everyone receives the living wage. We support that as long as it is not at the expense of jobs.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Coventry seeks update from Government on recent meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister

On 11th November 2014, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received an answer to a written question on recent meetings between the UK and Egyptian Governments.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the government of Egypt’s commitment to freedom of religion and the case for political reconciliation in Egypt were amongst the issues raised by the Prime Minister in his meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 27 October.[HL2567]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns): The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised international concerns about the human rights situation and political inclusiveness in Egypt with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shukri on 27 October. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry seeks update from Government on recent meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister”

Bishop of Coventry receives answers to questions on Saudi Arabia

On 6th November 2014, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, recieved answers to three written question Saudi Arabia from the Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Anelay of St Johns.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia and the extent to which discrimination against and restrictions experienced by Shiite Muslims contribute to sectarian unrest and dissent in that country.[HL2365]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns): The British Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief, which is severely restricted in Saudi Arabia. We make our views well known through the UN Universal Periodic Review Process, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report, and to the Saudi Arabian authorities. We have made clear the importance of religious tolerance, including for different branches of Islam. There are some long-standing tensions between some Shia communities in the Eastern Province and the Saudi authorities. We continue to monitor developments. We welcome all efforts to increase religious tolerance in Saudi Arabia, including the recent calls by King Abdullah and Saudi religious leaders for greater religious tolerance in the Kingdom. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry receives answers to questions on Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of St Albans raises concerns about Work Capability Assessment

On 5th November 2014, Lord McAvoy asked Her Majesty’s Government how many people were awaiting a Work Capability Assessment on the latest date for which figures are available. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question:

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, great concern has been expressed by some people about how work capability assessments are being carried out and whether those undertaking them have the right skills and expertise. Indeed, in one anecdotal case, the health professional who undertook a complex mental health assessment was a physiotherapist. If that is the case, surely it cannot be right. What are Her Majesty’s Government doing to ensure that those undertaking the assessments have the right skills and experience to be able to do them properly?

Lord Freud: The important thing about doing these assessments is that someone assesses correctly in terms of capability of performing functions and capability of working; that is, what people are able to do. As I said earlier, we have more specialist professional support going into the system to make sure that those assessments are done accurately.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Norwich calls for extension of PSVI initiative to Central African Republic

On 4th November 2014, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale asked Her Majesty’s Government what support they will provide to the United Nations mission in the Central African Republic. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, asked a supplementary question:

14.06.12 Bishop of Norwich

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, given the widespread violation of both women and children in this tragic conflict, will the Minister indicate whether there are ways in which the Government could extend the success of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative to the Central African Republic?

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The right reverend Prelate makes a very important point. The work done by my noble friends in the Foreign Office and DfID this summer is bearing good results but we need to be able to take those further forward. I listened to what he said and I will certainly take his views back to the FCO.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Norwich calls for focus on family well-being in handling of Chilcot Inquiry

On 3rd November 2014, Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to expedite the publication of the report by the Chilcot Inquiry. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, asked a supplementary question:

14.06.12 Bishop of NorwichThe Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, does the Minister accept that repeated press reports of rows between the Cabinet Office and the inquiry over the declassification of documents are deeply hurtful to the families most affected by the Iraq conflict? Does he agree that until the inquiry is completed, many bereaved and grieving families will not be able to move on?

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: My Lords, I appreciate that many have been affected by the issues studied by this inquiry. I am not aware of any rows between the Cabinet Office and the inquiry. I am aware of a long series of complex discussions within the British Government, between the British Government and our allies and with the inquiry about the exact nature of what should be published. I am conscious that what will be published includes notes from more than 200 Cabinet meetings, for example, including some extracts from Cabinet minutes.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Coventry receives written answer on reform and reconciliation in Iraq

On 3rd November 2014, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received an answer to a written question on the subject of reform and reconciliation in Iraq.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what practical assistance and support they are providing to the government of Iraq in taking forward a credible programme of political reform and reconciliation in that country.[HL2201]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns): Political reconciliation and reform are crucial if there is to be a long-term solution to the current instability in Iraq. We therefore welcome the new Government of Iraq’s commitment to inclusive governance. We will support them in implementing their programme wherever we can and have called for others in the international community to do the same. We are already providing assistance with the development of parliamentary democracy, community policing and dialogue between religious leaders. We are in regular contact with the new Iraqi government over national reconciliation and, in particular, with Vice-President Allawi, whose responsibility it is. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised the importance of reform and reconciliation with Vice-President Allawi during his recent visit to London and our ambassador in Baghdad has also discussed it with him on a number of occasions.

(via Parliament.uk)