Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Ripon and Leeds urges action to end use of slave labour in supply chains

R_LOn 22nd January, 2014, the Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat human trafficking and other forms of contemporary slavery.

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds: My Lords, there remains a serious issue of slavery in the business supply chain that affects much of what we buy. Will the Minister pursue a business-friendly model to eradicate that slavery, perhaps on the basis of the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act 2010, because a few simple reporting requirements may be more effective than simply extending the powers of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority? Continue reading “Bishop of Ripon and Leeds urges action to end use of slave labour in supply chains”

BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS: CHURCH COMMISSIONERS’ WRITTEN ANSWERS

Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered five written questions from Tessa Munt MP on the Church Commissioners plans for the Palace at Wells.

The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)
The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the answer of 14 January, Official Report, column 502W, on Bishop of Bath and Wells, what the cost is of the property which the Church Commissioners have purchased or propose to purchase for the purpose of accommodating the new Bishop of Bath and Wells.  Continue reading “BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS: CHURCH COMMISSIONERS’ WRITTEN ANSWERS”

Bishop of Ripon and Leeds calls for flexibility in administration of underoccupancy charge

On 20th January 2014, Baroness Hollis of Heigham asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to revise their underoccupancy charge so that, as in the private rented sector from 2008, it applies only to new tenants.

R_LThe Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds: My Lords, what flexibility is there for housing authorities in the implementation of the underoccupancy charge in circumstances such as when a child dies and the house thereby becomes underoccupied?

Continue reading “Bishop of Ripon and Leeds calls for flexibility in administration of underoccupancy charge”

Bishop of Derby asks Government for figures on human trafficking offences (Written Question)

On 17th December 2013, the Bishop of Derby received an answer to a written question on human trafficking.

Bishop of DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people were arrested, prosecuted and convicted for human trafficking-related offences in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness): Information on the number of arrests made by the police for human trafficking offences is not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks Government for figures on human trafficking offences (Written Question)”

Archbishop of York urges European co-operation in response to crisis in Central African Republic

On 16th January 2014, Baroness Berridge asked Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the failure of the transition government and the growing crisis in the Central African Republic.

Archbishop of YorkThe Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, asked a supplementary question:

The Archbishop of York: My Lords, does the Minister agree that the scale of the crisis is very large? I am grateful for what the Government are doing in response to this particular crisis, but will they use their offices in the European Union to make sure that all nations take part in dealing with this rather appalling situation? I am not confident that the African Union actually has the capacity to deal with the situation, much as it is on the ground. I hope the Minister can give us some comfort by confirming that the Government are talking to our European allies to ensure that whatever is needed is provided. Otherwise, we will end up with genocide and pictures on our television screens that will make all our stomachs churn day by day.

Continue reading “Archbishop of York urges European co-operation in response to crisis in Central African Republic”

Bishop of Newcastle raises concerns about unemployment levels in North East

On 15th January 2014, Lord Holmes of Richmond asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of people in full-time employment in the United Kingdom.
14.03 Bishop of NewcastleThe Bishop of Newcastle asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, the Minister will be aware that there are still significant regional differences in unemployment levels in the UK. Can he tell us what regional policies the Government may have in mind to help the situation in areas such as the one where I live, in the north-east of England, where unemployment levels are still in double figures?

Continue reading “Bishop of Newcastle raises concerns about unemployment levels in North East”

Bishop of St Albans receieves answers to questions on forestry and housing (Written Questions)

14.03 Bishop of St AlbansOn 15th January 2014, the Lord Bishop of St Albans received answers to four written questions, on the Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee and discretionary housing payments.

Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to ensure that the collective knowledge and experience of Regional Advisory Committee staff is being retained within the new Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committees.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans receieves answers to questions on forestry and housing (Written Questions)”

BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS and Churches in Rural Areas: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers

On 14th January 2014, Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered written questions from Tessa Munt MP and Anne McIntosh MP, on the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, and churches in rural areas.

Tony Baldry MP

Bishop of Bath and Wells

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the reasons are for the Church Commissioners’ decision to purchase alternative accommodation for the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Sir Tony Baldry: The Church Commissioners have always kept under review the suitability of its houses to meet the needs of a diocesan bishop and facilitate his mission. In the case of the Palace at Wells, the Commissioners concluded that more suitable arrangements could be made for the ministry and living conditions of the new Bishop if he were not to live in the Palace, which is operated by the Palace Trust as a visitor attraction. The Bishop and the Bishop of Taunton will continue to be based and work at the Palace.

Continue reading “BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS and Churches in Rural Areas: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers”

MPs Questions to Church Commissioners

In Church Commissioners’ question time in the House of Commons on 19th January 2014, Sir Tony Baldry MP was asked by MPs to answer questions on the Pilling Report, homelessness, the Church of England 100 Treasures project, violent attacks on clergy, Grade I listed churches, religious tolerance and the Christian celebration of Christmas.

14.01 CCQ Baldry

Transcript (via Parliament.uk):

Continue reading “MPs Questions to Church Commissioners”

Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asks question on recruitment of school governors

On 8th January 2014, Baroness Perry of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the remarks about “lucky children” made by the Chief Executive of Ofsted during the launch of that organisation’s Annual Report 2012–13.

R_LThe Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds: My Lords, in view of the difficulties often experienced in recruiting governors for schools, especially but not only in disadvantaged areas, what more can the Government do to encourage people to take on that role and to reduce the bureaucratic pressures that governors so often face? Continue reading “Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asks question on recruitment of school governors”