Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of St Albans questions government on the Green Climate Fund

On 27th October 2014, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked an oral question in the House of Lords:

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to pledge funding to the Green Climate Fund.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma): My Lords, the UK recognises the importance of a successful initial resource mobilisation process, and is keen for the fund to become operational as soon as possible. We aim to pledge at the initial Green Climate Fund pledging meeting arranged for 19 and 20 November, ahead of the United Nations climate change negotiations at the start of December. We are a strong supporter of the Green Climate Fund, because we see it as a key new vehicle for helping developing countries adapt to climate change and follow low-carbon development paths.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: I thank the Minister for her reply, and I am grateful for all that the Government are doing in this important area. So far, 10 countries, I think, have pledged contributions to the Green Climate Fund, but despite his warm words recently in New York the Prime Minister was not among those offering to make a pledge. Can we have some information about how much Her Majesty’s Government intend to pledge, and can we know what else we shall put on the table, if we are to have credibility at the discussions in December in Lima?

Baroness Verma: My Lords, the UK is committed to scaling up climate finance, and we have already committed £3.87 billion from our International Climate Fund between 2011 and 2016. The first £1.76 billion of this has already been committed from the International Climate Fund, and is expected to achieve the following lifetime results. However, the right reverend Prelate is right that we need to encourage all member states to come up to the mark and ensure that they are all contributing. This is a very important area. The UK is absolutely committed, and the Prime Minister has made that very clear. He will announce his pledge in November.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about fuel costs and pre-payment meters

On 23rd October the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Rev Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about addressing the higher fuel costs imposed by pre-payment meters.

Bishop of St AlbansAsked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the outcomes of the round-table discussions convened by Ofgem over the summer with suppliers, consumer representatives, parliamentarians and the Government, particularly in relation to addressing the higher fuel costs imposed by pre-payment meters.[HL2157] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about fuel costs and pre-payment meters”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about freedom of religion and belief in Iran

On 23rd October 2014 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt rev Alan Smith, received two written answers from Government to questions he had raised about freedom of religion and belief in Iran.

Bishop of St AlbansAsked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had through the chargé d’affaires of the recently reopened Iranian embassy regarding the imprisonment of Pastor Behnam Irani.[HL2154] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about freedom of religion and belief in Iran”

Minister congratulates CofE on new free schools in response to question from Bishop of Peterborough

On 21st October 2014, Baroness Massey of Darwen asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to ensure a fair admissions policy in schools.” The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Rev Donald Allister, asked a supplementary question:

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: Will the Minister join me in congratulating the four latest Church of England free schools to be announced, which between them offer nearly 2,500 places to young people of all faiths and none, especially in areas of severe shortage? Continue reading “Minister congratulates CofE on new free schools in response to question from Bishop of Peterborough”

Minister congratulates Church on passage of Women Bishops Measure

On 21st October 2014 Baroness Thornton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what measures they are taking to increase the representation of women in public life”. The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth, asked a supplementary question.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, in the light of those and other comments and last night’s debate in the other place, is the Minister ready to accept the thanks of the Church of England to both Houses for dealing so expeditiously with this matter? If Her Majesty graciously grants Royal Assent to the Measure, will the Minister convey in a suitably constitutional way the good wishes of this House to the General Synod when it meets to enact the necessary canon on 17 November, which will make way for the admittance of women to the episcopate in the Church of England?

Baroness Northover: I was delighted with the debate in this and the other House. We congratulate the church on this historic event.

(via Parliament.uk)

 

ISIL, Iraq and Syria – Bishop of Truro asks about freedom of religion

On 16th October 2014 a statement by the Foreign Secretary on ISIL, Iraq and Syria was repeated in the House of Lords by the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Anelay of St Johns. The Bishop of Truro, Rt Rev Tim Thornton, asked a question in response:

Bishop of Truro 20.6.13

The Lord Bishop of Truro: My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness for her Statement and associate the Lords spiritual with her thanks and tributes to those she mentioned in it. The conflicts in Syria and Iraq are, sadly, part of a wider cycle of sickening violence in which individuals and groups are increasingly targeted for their religious affiliation. Continue reading “ISIL, Iraq and Syria – Bishop of Truro asks about freedom of religion”

Archbishop of Canterbury calls for global, holistic and long-term response to threat presented by ISIL

On 14th October 2014 Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty’s Government what additional measures they are suggesting to allied states to prevent ISIL occupying further territory in Syria and Iraq. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, asked a supplementary question: 

Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her last answer, which was very reassuring. However, given that the terrible events in Iraq and Syria are the result of a global phenomenon of ideology, what steps are the Government taking to support other areas such as Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia, Pakistan and Sudan where similar problems need to be either prevented, mitigated or contained?

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: My Lords, this is a matter that I discussed this very morning with a group set up by my noble friend Lady Warsi at the Foreign Office. She did most important work; the group is considering freedom of religion or belief. I can say firmly not only that this is one of the six priorities for this Government, but, as when my noble friend Lady Warsi led on this, it is a personal priority for me to ensure that throughout government and throughout our discussions, we consider exactly those points. It is not just a matter of looking at one area but of considering how a breaking down of religion or belief around the world can undermine the very societies in which people need to have security.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Rochester calls for greater security in tenancies for pensioners

On 14th October 2014, Lord McKenzie of Luton asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to improve housing stability for those renting in the private sector, particularly families. The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd James Langstaff, asked a supplementary question:

Bishop of RochesterThe Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his assurance that the Government are aware of the needs of families in relation to the length of tenure for tenancies. Is the Minister also cognisant of the needs of retired persons, where length and stability of tenancy are important not only for their well-being in old age but also for their contribution to the communities where they are living in a sustainable way?

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The right reverend Prelate again raises an important point at the other end of the age spectrum, and the Government are very much cognisant of ensuring stability for residents and that their needs are met. One thing on which we are clear is our approach to the private rented sector, through landlords, through providing greater protection and a greater sense of professionalism for both landlords and agents. We are also helping provide an increased level of guidance to tackle any perceived rogue landlords and making more help available to tenants in this particular sector.

(via Parliament.uk)

Ukrainians in Russia: Bishop of St Albans raises concern

On 13th October 2014, Lord Spicer asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they took to encourage negotiations between the two sides at the start of the conflict in Ukraine. 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, as well as seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk, it is vital that we do not forget those Ukrainians who remained in Crimea and now find themselves under the Russian state. Can the Minister tell us what representations have been made on their behalf, and what progress, if any, has been made by the OSCE monitors in gaining access to Crimea? Continue reading “Ukrainians in Russia: Bishop of St Albans raises concern”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about humanitarian support for Iraq and Syria

On 13th October 2014 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth received answers to written questions on Iraq and Syria. The Bishop asked Government about the UK’s involvement in offering humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and support for displaced persons.

13.10 Bishop of Coventry

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about humanitarian support for Iraq and Syria”