On 23rd and 25th February 2015, bishops took part in two divisions on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the protection of overseas domestic workers.
Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill
Category: Votes
Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 – speech by Bishop of Carlisle
On 24th February 2015 the House of Lords considered a Motion to Approve the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015, alongside a Motion from Lord Deben not to approve the Regulations but to set up a Joint Committee of Parliament to consider the issues in more detail.
The Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Rev James Newcome, spoke during the debate, setting out his own position and that of the Church of England on the question of Mitochondrial Donation (also known as ‘three parent babies’).
Earl Howe concluded the debate on behalf of the government. An extract from his remarks can also be found below.
Concluding the debate, Lord Deben put his amendment to a vote, which was defeated: Contents 48; Not-Contents 280. The Bishops of Carlisle, Ely, St Albans and Worcester voted in favour of the amendment by Lord Deben. The Bishop of Norwich voted against the amendment. The Bishop of Bristol abstained. Continue reading “Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 – speech by Bishop of Carlisle”
Deregulation Bill- Divisions
On 11th February 2015, three bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill, during its Report Stage.
Recall of MPs Bill – Division
On 10th February 2015, three bishops took part in a division on the Recall of MPs Bill, during the bill’s Report Stage:
Amendment 1
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town moved amendment 1, in clause 1, page 1, line 10, at end to insert: “( ) In this Act the signing of a recall petition constitutes a public act and the information of each person who signs a recall petition will be accessible in a marked electoral register, if requested.” Continue reading “Recall of MPs Bill – Division”
Deregulation Bill – Divisons
On 3rd and 5th February 2015, three bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill, during its Report Stage.
Divisions – Assisted Dying Bill
On 16th January 2015, a number of bishops took part in divisions in the House of Lords, during the Committee Stage of Lord Falconer of Thoroton’s Assisted Dying Bill.
Archbishop of York speaks and votes during Report Stage of Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill
On 15th December 2014, the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd and Rt Hon. John Sentamu, spoke during the Report Stage of the Government’s Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill. He asked the Minister whether the legislation was the right tool for encouraging social action and volunteering in communities. He also voted in a division of the House, on Lord Lloyd’s amendment to remove Clause 2 (“Social Action”) from the Bill. The amendment was not accepted.
The Archbishop of York: My Lords, I am puzzled. Will the noble Lord tell us whether it is ever worthy to use a statute as a means of giving assurance? I thought that a statute was to state the law, not to assure somebody somewhere. That would be okay. It would be an amazing way of—you know what I mean. Continue reading “Archbishop of York speaks and votes during Report Stage of Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill”
Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – Divisions
On 9th December 2014, four bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, during ‘ping-pong’ between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The amendments dealt with secure colleges and judicial review. Bishops previously voted in favour of amendments on judicial review, and details can be found here.
Continue reading “Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – Divisions”
Consumer Rights Bill – Vote
On 24th November 2014, three bishops took part in a division of the House of Lords, during Report Stage of the Government’s Consumer Rights Bill.
Amendment 31
Labour Peer Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town moved amendment 31, which sought to remove the requirement for trading standards officers to give 48 hours notice before inspecting businesses, as the Bill currently requires.
The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern and the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smtih, voted ‘content’. No bishop voted ‘not content’.
There were Contents: 194 | Not Contents: 220 | Result: Government Win
(via Parliament.uk)
Consumer Rights Bill – Divisions
On 19th November 2014, four bishops took part in two divisions of the House of Lords, during the Report Stage of the Government’s Consumer Rights Bill.
Amendment 1
Shadow Business Spokesperson, Labour peer Lord Stevenson of Balmacara, moved amendment 1, to insert the new clause Consumer credit: bill of sale. The amendment sought to develop a new regulatory framework related to bills of sale as a form of consumer credit.
The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, the Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Donald Allister, and the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, all voted ‘not content’ with the amendment. No bishop voted ‘content’.
There were Contents: 176 | Not Contents: 244 | Result: Government Win
(via Parliament.uk)
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