Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Derby – Graduate Entrepreneurs and Tax Transparency

On 15th July 2013 the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, received answers to written questions on the topics of graduate entrepreneurs and tax transparency.

Businesses: Graduate Entrepreneurs

DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what resources are available for graduate entrepreneurs for start-up businesses.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): We want more businesses to develop in the UK in order to drive economic growth and innovation. We are intervening early to drive ambition by encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset in young people through activities in schools, colleges and universities. The experience of enterprise through education helps give young people the knowledge and awareness of what it means to run a business.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can also help to bridge the gap into the world of business. For example, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) provides £160m per annum through Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) to English HEIs to enable them to work with businesses and others. This can also be used to support student and academic enterprise, including start-ups and spin-outs. The latest Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction Survey (HE-BCI) indentified that, in 2011/12, 2,359 graduate start-ups were generated from English HEIs and 2,315 Graduate start ups were still active after at least three years. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby – Graduate Entrepreneurs and Tax Transparency”

Second Church Estates Commissioner: Food (Written Answer)

On 12th July 2013, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Sir Tony Baldry MP, gave an answer to a written question from Huw Irranca-Davies MP about the procurement of food.

Tony Baldry MPHuw Irranca-Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion of all food procured for the Church Commissioners was sourced from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying standards in the latest period for which figures are available.

Sir Tony Baldry: The Church Commissioners do not purchase food centrally; each department of the National Church Institutions are responsible for their own sourcing and procurement of food for meetings and events in line with the Church of England’s procurement policies. It is not therefore possible to say precisely what proportion of food procured was sourced from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying standards.

(via Parliament.uk)

Second Church Estates Commissioner answers written question on bats in churches

On 9th July 2013 Sir Tony Baldry MP answered a written question from Miss McIntosh on the Church Commissioners’ policy on dealing with bats in churches14.01 CCQ Baldry Continue reading “Second Church Estates Commissioner answers written question on bats in churches”

second church estates commissioner answers written questions on church closures and entry fees for church buildings

On 4th July 2013 Sir Tony Baldry MP answered written questions on the issues of church closure and of entry fees into church buildings14.01 CCQ Baldry Continue reading “second church estates commissioner answers written questions on church closures and entry fees for church buildings”

MPs Questions to Church Commissioners

In Church Commissioners Question Time on Thursday 4th July 2013, Sir Tony Baldry MP answered questions on bats in churches, pastoral care, closed churches, financial performance, credit unions, cathedrals and street pastors

14.03.20 WH debate

Bats in Churches

Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): What recent assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the effects of bats in churches; and if he will make a statement.

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry): A small number of bats living in a church can be manageable, but parish churches are finding an increasing number of bats taking up residence in large roosts. There are significant costs in financial and human terms to those who worship in these churches, and to the wider community. The present situation is simply unsustainable.

Continue reading “MPs Questions to Church Commissioners”

Second Chuch Estates Commissioner answers written question on world war one anniversaries

On 2nd July 2013 Sir Tony Baldry MP answered a written question from Mr Keith Simpson on what plans the Church of England had to commemorate the First World War and the role of military chaplains.14.03.20 WH debate Continue reading “Second Chuch Estates Commissioner answers written question on world war one anniversaries”

Second Church Estates Commissioner Answers written question on redundant churches

On 24th June 2013 Sir Tony Baldry MP answered a written question from Rehman Chishti on the number of redundant Church of England churches in the country

14.01 CCQ Baldry Continue reading “Second Church Estates Commissioner Answers written question on redundant churches”

MPs Questions to Sir Tony Baldry MP

In Church Commissioners Question TIme on Thursday 16th May 2013, Sir Tony Baldry MP asnwered questions on church bells, the same sex marriage bill, the Church of England, church attendance, religious freedom, and the English Baccalaureate.

14.01 CCQ Baldry

Church Bells

Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What support the Church Commissioners provide to refurbish church bells

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry): Church bells are an important part of our national character and heritage, and the Church of England has some limited grant aid available for work to bells and bell frames that are of historic interest. This is distributed by the Church Buildings Council, which also provides advice to help churches approach other funders, including the Heritage Lottery Fund. Continue reading “MPs Questions to Sir Tony Baldry MP”

Bishop of Birmingham questions Government over Child Poverty figures

Birmingham 171115On the 14th May 2013 Lord Dubs asked the Government a question about child poverty, the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart asked a supplementary question regarding the ways in which the Government could close the gap.

Continue reading “Bishop of Birmingham questions Government over Child Poverty figures”

Bishop of Bath & Wells highlights need for UK clothing companies to ensure safety of overseas workers

bishop-peter-priceOn the 13th May 2013 Baroness Young of Hornsey asked the government a question about the UK clothing sector. The Bishop of Bath & Wells, the Rt Revd Peter Price asked a supplementary question regarding the safety of workers in factories overseas and highlighted the importance for UK companies to have representatives on the ground to ensure the safety of the workforce not just to maintain manufacturing standards.

Continue reading “Bishop of Bath & Wells highlights need for UK clothing companies to ensure safety of overseas workers”