Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
Although Parliament is in recess this week, bishops in the House of Lords have received written answers to questions tabled on aid and civilian protection in Syria and Iraq, attacks on church property in Israel and the Government’s plans for an independent investigation into Sharia law. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 21st-25th September 2015”
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that targeted aid reaches civilians in communities and towns under siege in Syria.
Baroness Verma: The UK is deeply concerned that, according to UN figures, 422,000 people currently live in besieged areas in Syria. DFID works with trusted humanitarian organisations that endeavour to assist these populations and others in hard-to-reach areas.
The UK strongly condemns and calls for an end to the unlawful denial of access to impartial humanitarian partners. We have been instrumental in securing the passage of three UN Security Council Resolutions – 2139, 2156 and 2191 – demanding that all parties respect international humanitarian law and allow unhindered humanitarian access. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about aid to Syrians and protection of civilians from war crimes”
On 24th September 2015 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question for Government about the labelling of products from Israeli settlements.
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made in securing a European Union decision on the labelling of products from Israeli settlements.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure humanitarian access to civilian communities in Iraq in need of aid who are caught up in the fighting.
On 24th September 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions of Government on attacks on church property in Israel and the funding of Christian schools.
The Lord Bishop of Coventry:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the number of “price tag” attacks on church property in Israel.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We condemn all extremist violence, including those attacks against religious buildings. Whilst most ‘price tag’ attacks have taken place in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, we are aware that on 18 June the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, on the Sea of Galilee, was set on fire and vandalised with graffiti. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised this at the time with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and National Security Council. Continue reading “Israel: Bishop of Coventry asks Government about attacks on church property and the funding of Christian schools”
On 24th September 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question of Government about the proposed independent investigation of Sharia law in Britain.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the undertaking by the Home Secretary, made in a speech on 23 March, to set up an independent investigation into the application of Shari’a law in Britain will be fulfilled; and when that investigation is expected to report.
On 21st September 2015 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to two written questions on the impact of the separation barrier on prospects for an Israel/Palestine two-state solution:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the viability of a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine following the decision to resume construction of the separation barrier in Beir Ona, near the Cremisan Valley. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about impact of the separation barrier on a two-state solution for Israel/Palestine”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke in debates about Lords reform, defence capability, High Speed 2, humanitarian developments in the Middle East and North Africa, protection for dairy farmers and the sustainable development goals. They also asked questions on tax credit cuts, the UK food supply, dairy farmers, migration in Europe, Sunday trading and rural-urban classification.
In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on gravestones and monuments.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 14th-18th September 2015”
On 17th September 2015 Lord Chidgey moved “that this House takes note of the forthcoming summit on sustainable development goals in September and Her Majesty’s Government’s objectives at that summit.” The Bishop of Sheffield, Rt Revd Steven Croft, made a speech:
The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, from these Benches I warmly welcome this debate and thank the noble Lord, Lord Chidgey, for bringing it forward. I welcome the sustainable development goals and the Government’s commitment to them.
Like others, I was initially somewhat sceptical about a document that contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These are not even memorable or round numbers. However, I am inspired by the single vision for our world that drives and shapes these goals. That vision is set out in the ambitious declaration that forms a preface to the draft document to be considered and, we hope, agreed at the September summit. The language of the declaration is lofty—rightly so. It says:
“Never before have world leaders pledged common action and endeavour across such a broad and universal policy agenda”. Continue reading “Bishop of Sheffield praises vision of sustainable development goals and calls for more action on climate change”
On 17th September 2015 Lord Naseby asked the Government “what new proposals they have to support independent high street retailers, particularly in the light of the increasing cost of business rates”. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, while I am grateful for the support Her Majesty’s Government are giving to independent retailers, it seems extraordinary that they are doing so at a time when they are talking about deregulating further Sunday trading hours, which many insiders in the industry believe will give huge commercial advantage both to the large supermarkets and to out-of-town shopping centres. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans questions Government on impact of Sunday trading changes on small shops”
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