Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Newcastle asks about oral health in the north-east of England

The Bishop of Newcastle asked a question on dental health among children in the north-east of England and government plans to introduce a national strategy for children’s oral health on 25th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, the Child of the North report, published in September, on the crisis in oral health in children, reported that 20% of children in the north-east have tooth decay in their permanent teeth. What plans do the Government have to implement one of the report’s recommendations—namely, to have a national strategy for children’s oral health, of which the establishment of new dental schools could be a part?

Continue reading “Bishop of Newcastle asks about oral health in the north-east of England”

Bishop of Norwich asks about effects of inheritance tax on farmers

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 25th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Budget’s changes to agricultural property relief from inheritance tax on nature conservation on small farms.

Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks about effects of inheritance tax on farmers”

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about immigration detention review

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 25th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Hanson of Flint on 14 October (HL Deb cols 17GC–20GC), when they intend to publish the terms of reference for the Home Office review into immigration detention, including Rule 34 and 35 of the detention centre rules.

Continue reading “Bishop of Chelmsford asks about immigration detention review”

Bishop of St Albans asks about expanding definition of domestic abuse to include under 16s

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to changing the statutory definition of domestic abuse to that those under the age of 16 can be considered victims of domestic abuse.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about expanding definition of domestic abuse to include under 16s”

Bishop of St Edmundsbury asks about appointment of Independent Armed Forces Commissioner

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich received the following written answer on 22nd November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked His Majesty’s Government whether the appointment of the independent Armed Forces Commissioner for the UK will take place this year.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury asks about appointment of Independent Armed Forces Commissioner”

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Charities

On 22nd November 2024, Marsha De Cordova MP, on behalf of the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Church Commissioners: Charities

Danny Kruger MP (Con, East Wiltshire): To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what the (a) charitable object and (b) nominal current value is of each (i) trust and (ii) other fund held by the Church Commissioners; and what document defines each such charitable object.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Charities”

Bishop of Lincoln asks about child poverty strategy

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 22nd November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government how the Child Poverty Strategy intends to reduce child poverty in rural and coastal communities.

Baroness Sherlock (Lab, DWP): We are committed to delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty which is why we have set up a Ministerial Taskforce that is urgently working to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025.

Continue reading “Bishop of Lincoln asks about child poverty strategy”

Bishop of Manchester asks about role of faith leaders in tackling climate change

On 21st November 2024, the Bishop of Manchester asked a question on government commitment to working with faith leaders to tackle the climate emergency:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, last year I took a group of leaders from different faiths in Greater Manchester, along with civic leaders, to meet Pope Francis in Rome to discuss his work on climate change, which makes me think: will the Government commit to working with faith leaders, in this country and overseas, as we seek to mitigate the climate emergency?

Continue reading “Bishop of Manchester asks about role of faith leaders in tackling climate change”

Bishop of St Albans asks about cases of livestock sickness

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 21st November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of cases of bluetongue in Hertfordshire.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab, DEFRA): Defra acted quickly to contain bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) when the first case this season was detected on 26 August, implementing zones with movement controls on susceptible livestock to prevent spread. Disease control restrictions have been adapted in response to new findings and there is now a single restricted zone (RZ) covering the east coast and some inland areas in England, including Hertfordshire where there have been 3 cases to date.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about cases of livestock sickness”

Bishop of Chichester asks about impact of new protection of premises legislation on faith and community groups

On 21st November 2024, the Bishop of Chichester asked a question on the impact of the introduction of Martyn’s law (on the requirements for public premises and events to take precautions against terrorist attacks) on small faith and community groups:

The Lord Bishop of Chichester: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his and his department’s ongoing support for all faith communities that face extreme behaviour and attacks on their buildings and property. Will the Minister update the House on what material His Majesty’s Government are preparing in response to Martyn’s law, and how they plan to communicate clear and easily understood advice for small volunteer groups, including faith groups, many of which struggle with the demands of administration and compliance?

Continue reading “Bishop of Chichester asks about impact of new protection of premises legislation on faith and community groups”