On 9th March 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at Report Stage. Votes were held on two amendments, both of which passed. The Bishops of Durham and Chester took part in the votes. Continue reading “Immigration Bill – Divisions”
Tag: Chester
Division: Immigration Act 2014 (Commencement No. 6) Order 2016
On the 25th February 2016 the House of Lords voted on a motion from the Liberal Democrats to annul the Immigration Act 2014 (Commencement No. 6) Order 2016. The Bishop of Chester took part.
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Division: Scotland Bill
On the 25th February 2016 the House of Lords voted on an amendment to the Government’s Scotland Bill. The Bishops of Bristol and Chester took part.
Bishop of Chester recalls ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ of compulsory school milk
On the 10th February 2016 Lord Storey asked the Government “whether they plan to legislate to ensure that food and drink provided in all types of schools follow Food Standards Agency food and nutritional guidelines”. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow up question.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, if free milk is to be made available again in schools, with the Minister confirm that it would not be compulsory? For some of us it contains memories of a cruel and unusual punishment.
Bishop of Chester asks Government about parental engagement with PSHE
On the 10th February 2016 Baroness Massey of Darwen asked the Government “what steps they propose to take to make Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education compulsory within the curriculum”. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow up question.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, although I agree with all that the Minister has said in response to the questions, is it not the case that engaging parents—making sure that what is taught in schools relates to and engages parents as much as possible—is also important to any government action which may be forthcoming in the future? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks Government about parental engagement with PSHE”
Trade Union Bill – Bishop of Chester supports amendment on electronic balloting
On 8th February 2016, the House of Lords considered the Government’s Trade Union Bill in committee. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke in favour of amendments to allowing electronic voting in union ballots alongside the Bill’s introduction of mandatory thresholds for strike ballots. Baroness Neville-Rolfe responded for the Government. Continue reading “Trade Union Bill – Bishop of Chester supports amendment on electronic balloting”
Bishop of Chester asks Government about junior doctors’ remuneration
On the 27th January 2016 Lord Harries of Pentregarth asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the remuneration of junior doctors”. The Rt Revd Peter Forster, Bishop of Chester, asked a follow up question.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I, too, declare that I have a daughter who is a junior doctor. She is in her fourth year since qualification. To get to the level of remuneration that the noble Lord mentioned—some £23,000—junior doctors have to work jolly long and unsocial hours. But my specific question is: what is the comparator with other developed western countries for the remuneration of our younger doctors?
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Bishop of Chester pays tribute to Heritage Lottery Fund support for cathedrals and church buildings
On 17th December 2015 the House of Lords debated a motion from Lord Holmes of Richmond, “To move that this House takes note, on the occasion of its 21st birthday, of the contribution made by the National Lottery to sport, culture, charities and national heritage throughout the United Kingdom.” The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke in the debate,paying tribute to the positive impact lottery funding has had on cathedrals and church buildings.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, most of us will remember the strapline which launched the National Lottery: “It could be you”. Well, I never quite believed that it would be me but, nevertheless, the lottery has had great success over time. Many people thought that it would slightly fade from view and lose some of its initial gloss. Indeed, people worked out that it probably would not be them at all. It is very interesting how it has become a national institution. In that sense, we have been led into temptation on a grand scale. Continue reading “Bishop of Chester pays tribute to Heritage Lottery Fund support for cathedrals and church buildings”
Divisions – European Union Referendum Bill
On 14th December 2015 the House of Lords considered the House of Commons’ reasons for rejecting Lords amendments to the Government’s European Union Referendum Bill on extending the vote to 16 and 17 year olds. Peers voted on a new amendment from the Opposition, which sought to reinstate the lower voting age in the European referendum. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, took part. Continue reading “Divisions – European Union Referendum Bill”
Bishop of Chester asks question on Sunday Trading
On the 14th December Baroness Deech asked the Government “whether they have plans to reform Sunday trading laws.” The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow-up question.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, would a useful reform be to go back to the good old days when people were paid double time for working on Sunday; then, shops, in the main, would not want to open? If I introduced a Private Member’s Bill, would the Government support me? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks question on Sunday Trading”
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