On 19th July 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Investigatory Powers Bill on its third day in Committee. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, took part in the proceedings, speaking during debate on amendments that would prevent the retention of internet connection records. Continue reading “Investigatory Powers Bill: Bishop of Chester speaks on retention of internet connection records”
Tag: Chester
Bishop of Chester questions case for renewal of Trident nuclear deterrent
On 13th July 2016 the House of Lords debated a Government motion “That this House takes note of the Government’s assessment in the 2015 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review that the United Kingdom’s continuous at sea nuclear deterrent should be maintained.” The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke in the debate:
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, the issue before the other place is the procurement of four new submarines, but it is not unreasonable at this time to contribute to our ongoing reflection upon why we have a nuclear deterrent at all. It is often said that countries and armies tend to prepare to fight the war that was fought 50 or more years ago without noticing how the world has changed, not least technology. Indeed, our recollection of the Battle of the Somme—when infantry charged machine guns—brings that rather vividly to mind. Continue reading “Bishop of Chester questions case for renewal of Trident nuclear deterrent”
Division: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016
On 4th July 2016 the House of Lords voted on an amendment to the Government’s Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, took part. Continue reading “Division: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016”
Bishop of Chester condemns “abhorrent” and “evil” Orlando attacks
On 13th June 2016 Government Minister Lord Ahmad repeated in the Lords a reply to an urgent question to the Home Secretary following the Orlando terror attack. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow up question:
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, on behalf of those who speak from these Benches, I express our utter abhorrence at what has happened. Indeed, I endorse the Home Secretary’s unambiguous use of the word “evil” about those acts.
I wonder if the Minister could take a little further what the noble Baroness, Lady Barker, has just said about the importance of engaging with the leaders of faith communities to address how we can live in a way that fundamentally recognises the universal human rights in our society from which we all benefit. This is an attack on our civilisation. At root it is a hatred of our civilisation, and anyone who can get to the bottom of that with a united front against it, alongside all the security measures that need to be taken, will really make some progress. Continue reading “Bishop of Chester condemns “abhorrent” and “evil” Orlando attacks”
Divisions – Housing and Planning Bill
On 4th May 2016 a number of votes took place on the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill, as the House of Lords considered amendments made in the House of Commons. Bishops took part in the following Divisions of the House: Continue reading “Divisions – Housing and Planning Bill”
Energy Bill: Bishop of Chester supports Commons amendment
On 12th April 2016, the House of Lords discussed the amendments made by House of Commons to the Government’s Energy Bill. The House considered an amendment which transfers functions from the Secretary of State to the Oil and Gas Authority. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke in support of the amendment, for ‘limiting the function of the Oil and Gas Authority’.
Continue reading “Energy Bill: Bishop of Chester supports Commons amendment”
Division: Immigration Bill
On 12th April 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at third reading. The Bishop of Chester took part in two votes that that took place on the Bill:
Divisions: Housing and Planning Bill
On 11th April 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill at Report Stage. The Bishops of Coventry and Chester took part in a number of votes that were held on amendments: Continue reading “Divisions: Housing and Planning Bill”
Divisions: Immigration Bill
On 21st March the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at Report Stage. A number of votes were held on amendments, in which several bishops took part: Continue reading “Divisions: Immigration Bill”
Division: Trade Union Bill- Electronic voting
On the 16th March 2016 Lord Kerslake moved an amendment to the Government’s Trade Union Bill regarding the introduction of electronic voting for the purpose of ballots held before any trade union action.The Bishop of Chester took part.
Lord Kerslake moved amendment 3, after clause 3, to insert the new clause Electronic balloting Provision for electronic balloting: review and piloting scheme. The House divided: Continue reading “Division: Trade Union Bill- Electronic voting”
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