Bishop of Coventry asks Government about human rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh

Bp Coventry May 2015On 29th July 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to two questions on human rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the human rights situation in Bangladesh, especially in relation to the right to freedom of religion or belief. [HL1247]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh about human rights violations against Hindus and bringing to justice those responsible for the destruction of temples and other places of worship. [HL1248] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about human rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Daesh, Iraq and international humanitarian law

Bp Coventry May 2015On 22nd April 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received answers to three written questions of Government on the actions of Daesh and the Iraqi Government and international humanitarian law:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conversations they have had with other members of the UN Security Council about referring the actions of Daesh against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq to the International Criminal Court for further investigation. [HL7548] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Daesh, Iraq and international humanitarian law”

Bishop of Coventry questions the Government about the HS2 Bill

Bp Coventry May 2015

On the 14 April 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth spoke during the second reading debate on the HS2 Bill. The Bishop spoke about the impact the line would have on his diocese, the local communities, environment and business. Lord Ahmad responded for the government and addressed some of the questions asked by the Bishop Christopher.

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry questions the Government about the HS2 Bill”

Bishop of Coventry questions Government about Regional Schools Commissioners

Bp Coventry May 2015

On the 14th April 2016 the Lord Shipley asked the Government what plans they have to make Regional Schools Commissioners democratically accountable. The Bishop of Coventry the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth asked a supplementary question about the factors Regional Schools Commissioners take into account when locating sponsors for a new school. 

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry questions Government about Regional Schools Commissioners”

Bishop of Coventry argues for more humanitarian aid to be passed through local organisations

Bp Coventry May 2015On 12th April 2016, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale asked the Government “who will represent the United Kingdom at the United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May.” The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, asked a supplementary question about the need to support local organisations when responding to a humanitarian crisis.

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry argues for more humanitarian aid to be passed through local organisations”

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”

Bishop of Coventry responds to statement on Panama Papers

13.10 Bishop of CoventryOn 11th April, Baroness Stowell of Beeston repeated a statement regarding the Panama Papers made by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons. The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, asked a follow up question. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry responds to statement on Panama Papers”

Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of Coventry supports increased controls on Starter Homes

Bp Coventry May 2015On 11th April 2016, the House of Lords debated the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill at its Report stage. Lord Best and Lord Beecham tabled amendments to increase the period for which Starter Homes had to be sold at a discount. The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, spoke in support of these amendments, and Baroness Williams of Trafford responded on behalf of the government. In a subsequent vote, amendment 1 was passed by 275 votes to 181.


 

Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, I apologise for not engaging with the Bill at an earlier stage. Other colleagues from this Bench who have engaged with it are unable to be here today. I declare an interest: I have five children, and I worry very much about how they will own their own properties. Two have already managed to; the other three will need to work on it. It will be a little bit difficult for them. They will not have a great deal from me to help them, as they come from a clergy family. That is my second declaration of interest. Living on a clergy stipend for most of my adult life and living in clergy accommodation means that I have got to know the letting world reasonably well as a way of trying to make provision for my future and my family’s future when I am evicted from my house at some point. Continue reading “Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of Coventry supports increased controls on Starter Homes”

Bishop of Coventry asks Govt about religious freedom, reconciliation and reconstruction in Iraq

13.10 Bishop of CoventryOn 5th April 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to three questions on religious freedom, and post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent of freedom of religion or belief in Iraq and in Iraqi Kurdistan. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Govt about religious freedom, reconciliation and reconstruction in Iraq”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about humanitarian aid for those fleeing conflict in Iraq

Bp Coventry May 2015On Friday 1 April the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question on humanitarian assistance in Iraq:

The Lord Bishop Of Coventry: What steps they are taking to ensure that they have sufficient measures in place to meet any humanitarian need arising from military efforts to liberate Mosul from Daesh. [HL7270] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about humanitarian aid for those fleeing conflict in Iraq”