Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 – speech by Bishop of Carlisle

14.06.09 Bishop of CarlisleOn 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”

Bishop of Carlisle highlights concerns about victims of violence detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre

On 24th February 2015, Baroness Bakewell asked Her Majesty’s Government “what requirements were set in the contract for Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre recently reawarded to Serco regarding the dignity and privacy of women detained there”.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Revd James Newcome, asked a supplementary question:

14.06.09 Bishop of CarlisleThe Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, in view of the concerns expressed only last Friday by the Joint Committee on Human Rights about women and girls who claim to have been victims of violence and are detained at Yarl’s Wood under the fast-track process, can the Minister tell us whether the Government have any plans for a screening process for people in that position?

Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle highlights concerns about victims of violence detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre”

Bishop of Coventry – Religious Freedom in India (Written Answers)

On 23rd February 2015, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received answers to three written questions on the subject of freedom of religion in India.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in India following the election of Prime Minister Modi. [HL4820]

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations have they made to the government of India regarding the practice of forced, fraudulent or induced conversions of Christians and Muslims to Hinduism in India. [HL4821] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry – Religious Freedom in India (Written Answers)”

Bishop of Southwark – Gaza (Written Answers)

On 23rd February 2015, the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to three written questions on the situation in Gaza.

Southwark 2The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the funding available to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in Gaza. [HL4862] Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark – Gaza (Written Answers)”

Church of England Week in Westminster, 9th – 13th February 2015

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

Westminster-abbeyThis week, bishops in the House of Lords led a debate on local welfare assistance for those in crisis and took part in debates on the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, the Deregulation Bill and the Recall of MPs Bill.

They also asked questions on criminal proceedings for vulnerable adults, local welfare assistance schemes, local enterprise partnerships, voter registration, press freedom in Egypt and vacant properties.

Bishops took part in divisions on the Recall of MPs Bill and the Deregulation Bill.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question on chancel repair liability.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 9th – 13th February 2015”

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill – Full Transcript of Lords Second Reading debate

Red Benches

On 12th February 2015 the House of Lords debated at Second Reading ther Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill. A full transcript of that debate is below. See also the speeches made in the debate by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Leicester.

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill

11:39 A.M.

Lord Faulks (The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice): That the Bill be read a second time .

Lord Taylor Of Holbeach (Con): My Lords, I have it in command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, has consented to place her prerogative, so far is it is affected by the Bill, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.

Lord Faulks (The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice): My Lords, this Bill will enable female diocesan bishops of the Church of England to become Lords Spiritual sooner than they would under current rules. Continue reading “Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill – Full Transcript of Lords Second Reading debate”

Bishop of Leicester: Lords Spritual (Women) Bill to serve “interests of the nation”

On 12th February 2015, the House of Lords debated the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill at Second Reading. The Bill will bring forward the time at which the first female diocesan bishops can sit as Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords. Speaking just prior to the ‘winding up’ of the debate, the Bishop of Leicester responded to a small number of questions raised in the course of the debate:
14.04.01 Bishop of LeicesterThe Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I know I speak for all of us on this Bench in wanting to express our appreciation to your Lordships’ House for the serious, thoughtful and supportive way that your Lordships have considered this legislation, and to rehearse the most reverend Primate’s appreciation to the Government and Opposition Benches, and to the usual channels, for making it possible for the Bill to reach this stage so quickly. Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester: Lords Spritual (Women) Bill to serve “interests of the nation””

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks in support of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill

On 12th February 2015 the House of Lords debated the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill at Second Reading. The Bill will bring forward the time at which the first female diocesan bishops can sit as Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of Canterbury gave the Bill his wholehearted support. He said:

Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury:

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for those opening remarks. I wish to put on record my personal thanks and those of the church to the Government for securing the time to bring this Bill forward, and to the Opposition for giving their support to the proposal. Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury speaks in support of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill”

Bishop of Rochester commends ‘Houses into Homes’ initiative to reduce levels of empty housing

On 12th February 2015, Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what further steps they are taking to reduce the number of residential properties left vacant by their owners. The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd James Langstaff, asked a supplementary question:

Bishop of RochesterThe Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, the contributions already made have underlined the importance of this and the potential for tackling some of the issues in the housing market and the lack of housing. While this may be a relatively small part of that, is the Minister aware of schemes such as the Houses into Homes initiative in Wales, which uses recyclable loans mainly to private individuals and has managed to return some 2,000 empty homes to use since 2012? Do the Government have further plans to encourage such initiatives, particularly those that are at a local level and involve private individuals and the voluntary sector? Continue reading “Bishop of Rochester commends ‘Houses into Homes’ initiative to reduce levels of empty housing”

Bishop of St Albans – Egypt (Written Answer)

On 12th February 2015, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer to a written question on the subject of press freedom in Egypt.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Egypt, following the release of Peter Greste, on behalf of Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed. [HL4586]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns): The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), make regular representations to the Egyptian government to press them to take further action to ensure the release of other journalists from prison, to release political detainees and to relax restrictions on civil society. The Foreign Secretary made a press statement on 2 February welcoming the release of Peter Greste but stating his concern that Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed remain in detention. He called on the Egyptian authorities to review their cases and the sentences of those tried in absentia as a matter of urgency. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans – Egypt (Written Answer)”