Questions – Page 50 – The Church of England in Parliament

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Archbishops Council

On 3rd February 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioners, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Archbishops Council

Danny Kruger MP (Con, East Wiltshire): To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how much (a) the Church Commissioners distributed to and (b) was certificated by the Archbishops’ Council under section 2(6) of the National Institutions Measure 1998 in each year since 1998; and how much was granted by the Church Commissioners pursuant to section 1 of the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2018 to the Archbishops’ Council in each year since 2018.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about support for parents struggling to pay child maintenance

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 3rd February 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what (1) practical, and (2) mental health, support is offered to parents struggling to pay child maintenance.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about Israeli military activity in the West Bank

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on the intensification of Israeli military activity in the West Bank on 30th January 2025, following a government statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I am grateful for this Statement and thank the Minister for her sensitive and careful comments. Would she accept that, although the ceasefire agreement offers a glimmer of hope that a different future is possible, the situation in the West Bank continues to go from bad to worse? What assessment have the Government made of Israel’s intensification of military action in the West Bank? The fear held by many, including those on these Benches who have just returned from that region, is that this is a precursor to full or partial annexation. What is the Government’s strategy for dealing with the deteriorating situation in the West Bank?

Bishop of Gloucester calls for inclusion of female Afghan leaders in international talks

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on the importance of including female Afghan leaders in international talks on the status of women and girls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan on 30th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, these measures are taken by men with an absolute lack of transparency and without any involvement of those concerned, and they are clearly aimed at excluding women and girls from public life. Following on from what has been said, are the Government actively meeting female Afghan leaders to hear their perspectives? Will the UK Government help female Afghans to be part of the international talks so that they are able to play a part in the future of the country?

Bishop of St Albans asks about prevention of illegal beaver release

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 30th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent the illegal release of beavers into the wild.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab, DEFRA): This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Votes: Royal Albert Hall Bill

On 29th January 2025, the House of Lords debated the Royal Albert Hall Bill. Votes were held on an amendment to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

Bishop of Manchester highlights importance of clarity on definitions of terrorism

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on definitions of terrorism on 29th January 2025, following a repeat of a Commons Urgent Question on the recent extremism review:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as co-chair of the national police ethics committee. In your Lordships’ House next week, we will begin Committee on the very important Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. Would the Minister agree that this is a time when we have to be absolutely clear what we mean by terrorism, so that we in this House can give that Bill the clear, in-depth scrutiny it requires?

Bishop of Manchester asks about support for building energy efficient homes

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for housing associations in building energy efficient homes on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as chair of a housing association. Housing associations are a key provider of homes for those who can least afford high energy bills. What support will there be for housing associations when they are bidding for grants to subsidise the properties they are building? It does cost that bit extra, maybe £5,000 or £6,000 per home, to build to the standards that we need to.

Bishop of St Albans asks about use of unregulated epilepsy treatments

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of parents illegally accessing cannabinoid epilepsy treatments for their children.

Bishop of St Albans asks about rules around beaver reintroduction in the UK

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have decided not to introduce a formal wild release licensing system for beavers, and if so, what assessment they have made of the implications for their climate change and sustainability strategies.

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