Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Archbishop of York asks about access to green spaces

The Archbishop of York asked a question on what steps the government are taking to improve access to outdoor and green spaces, particularly for disadvantaged communities, on 7th March 2024:

The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, during Covid, we all became aware of how important it is to have access to outside space. Yet we know that many people do not have access to outside space, let alone green space, and we know the health benefits of having that space, particularly for mental health. In my work, I often visit communities, particularly in Hull and Middlesbrough, where so many people simply do not have this kind of access, and I see the consequences. I am wondering what steps the Government are taking to try to improve the situation. It is estimated that 10 million people in this country may not have ready access to green space. What steps are being taken to address this?

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Bishop of Manchester asks about support for decarbonisation of social housing

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on the size of the social housing decarbonisation fund and what extra support the government would be giving to housing associations if the fund were to fall short, during a discussion on heat pump installation policy on 6th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, the Minister kindly referred to the social housing decarbonisation fund, but there are something like 2.7 million homes owned by the social housing sector, with a projected cost of £36 billion to decarbonise them. Does he recognise that the fund is far too small to deliver that, and if so, what extra support will be made available to housing associations for them to achieve this for their poorer tenants?

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Bishop of Manchester asks about reforming police recruitment

The Bishop of Manchester tabled a question on the case for reforming police recruitment on 5th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the first report of the Angiolini Inquiry published on 29 February, what assessment they have made of the case for reforming police recruitment.

In begging leave to ask the Question in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interest as co-chair of the national police ethics committee.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con, Home Office): My Lords, the horrific crimes committed by a then serving police officer shocked the nation and undermined public confidence in the police. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Sarah Everard; I cannot imagine how painful this must be for them. In the years since, the Home Office has worked closely with policing partners to strengthen the way that police officers are recruited, vetted, scrutinised and disciplined. The Government will continue to work with policing partners to consider the findings and recommendations of this report at pace, and will respond fully in due course.

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Bishop of Albans asks about increase in piracy off the Horn of Africa

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 5th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent increase in piracy off the Horn of Africa.

Lord Benyon (Con, Foreign Office): While the causes of recent maritime incidents in the Horn of Africa are unclear, the UK continues to monitor the situation in the region closely.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about forced labour in China

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 5th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent Human Rights Watch research that suggests several major carmakers could be complicit in abuse of China’s Uyghur Muslims.

Lord Johnson of Lainston (Con, DfT): Modern slavery is a barbaric crime which we are determined to stamp out. In 2022, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published its assessment of the human rights situation in Xinjiang, which found that China had carried out “serious human rights violations” against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities.

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Bishop of Bristol asks about rates of modern slavery referrals in the UK

The Bishop of Bristol received the following written answer on 4th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Bristol asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • how many individuals referred to the National Referral Mechanism for modern slavery after arriving in the UK irregularly since January 2022 have been given (1) a positive reasonable grounds decision, (2) a negative reasonable grounds decision, (3) a positive conclusive grounds decision, and (4) a negative conclusive grounds decision.
  • how many individuals referred to the National Referral Mechanism for modern slavery after arriving in the UK irregularly since January 2022 were referred because of (1) exploitation which happened in the UK, and (2) trafficking to the UK.
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Bishop of St Albans asks about recent statement by Bangladesh concerning Rohingya refugees

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 4th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh in response to its statement on 7 February that it will not allow any more Rohingya refugees to enter the country.

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Bishop of Norwich responds to government statement on security of elected officials

The Bishop of Norwich spoke in response to a government statement on the security of elected representatives on 29th February 2024, asking how the model of disagreeing agreeably could be applied in government:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating this important Statement. The protection that will be offered to our elected representatives is vital, because this is a period of time of immense concern. As has already been mentioned, the impact, particularly on women and women of UKME heritage, both in person and online, is deeply troubling, as is the abuse suffered by Muslim and Jewish colleagues. Anti-Semitism has been said to be a “light sleeper”, but it is very much wide awake at this time, and a lot of Islamophobia is built on immense ignorance and stereotyping of people.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about difficulties involved in sending money to refugees in Sudan

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question about the difficulties involved transferring funds to Sudan to aid displaced refugees, in particular the Sudanese Archbishop of Khartoum, on 29th February 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, the Archbishop of Khartoum has been forced to leave his home, along with his family and many of his people; they are now living in exile in Port Sudan. The Church of England dioceses with links to Sudan have tried to transfer funds to support the archbishop and his people, only to discover that banks are either unwilling or unable to transfer funds to Sudan. What assessment have the Government made of the banks’ willingness or ability to transfer funds in support of people who are suffering so terribly?

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about effect building a national park on Mount of Olives would have on Christian holy sites

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on the potential impact the building a national park on the Mount of Olives would have on Christian holy sites on 29th February 2024, during a discussion on the Israeli prime minister ruling out a two state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: Last year, it was reported that the Government of Israel were considering plans to build a national park on the Mount of Olives. Will the Minister say what assessment has been made of the impact of these proposals on the Christian holy sites in this area and the holy sites of other faith communities? What impact would such a project have on the prospect of Jerusalem as a shared capital for Israeli and Palestinian states?

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The right reverend Prelate has illustrated my point. Faith does provide a solution, as we have just seen in practical terms.

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