The following written question was replied to on 30th March 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Hong Kong following reports of threats and intimidation of Benedict Rogers, a UK citizen and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch. [HL7070]
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about treatment of Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch”The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 24th March 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 7 March (HL6312), what attempts they have made to document the destruction of Armenian historical sites in Azerbaijan.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The protection of cultural heritage affected by conflict and the prevention of acts of destruction are priorities for the UK. We are aware of allegations from both Armenia and Azerbaijan that cultural and religious sites have been deliberately damaged over the course of the conflict. Following the 2020 war, the UK has engaged with the Governments of both Armenia and Azerbaijan on this matter. UNESCO are the body best placed to look into this issue and we call on all sides to reach an agreement to enable UNESCO to visit the region soon.
Following an update on the unfolding situation in Ukraine on 22nd February 2022, the Bishop of Coventry asked a question on combining diplomacy with sanctions:
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, these are dark days indeed for Europe, but unlike the noble Lord, Lord Newby, I welcome the commitment in the Statement to unrelenting diplomacy. Does the Leader agree that the stronger the sanctions, the better placed that diplomatic work will be? Is there a particular contribution that Britain can make in the diplomatic engagement even now?
Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about sanctions against Russia”
On 22nd February 2022, Lord Alton of Liverpool asked a question on human rights and political prisoners in Hong Kong, on behalf of the Bishop of St Albans:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of Hong Kong about the (1) human rights, and (2) release, of pro- democracy political prisoners remanded in custody under that Government’s national security law.
Lord Alton of Liverpool (CB): My Lords, on behalf of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans, and with his permission, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper. In so doing, I declare my interests both as a patron of Hong Kong Watch and as vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong.
The Earl of Courtown (Con): My Lords, the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have used the national security law to target pro-democracy figures, curtail freedoms and shrink the space for opposition, a free press and civil society. The UK continues to raise its concerns directly with Hong Kong and Chinese authorities. We continue to urge Beijing to uphold its international obligations, including the rights and freedoms protected in the joint declaration.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans tables question on political prisoners in Hong Kong”On 27th January 2022 MPs asked the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered questions in the House of Commons chamber:
Churches and Cathedrals: Sustainability
Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)
What assessment the Church of England has made of the steps needed to put the maintenance of churches and cathedrals on a sustainable basis. (905258)
The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Andrew Selous): The Church estimates that over the next five years at least £1.14 billion of maintenance and repairs are needed for churches and cathedrals. The Church is very grateful that 550 churches and cathedrals have already benefited from the culture recovery fund, but there remains an urgent need for predictable and sustainable sources of funding, which enable us to keep skilled builders and craft people in work.
The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the government’s efforts towards supporting development in Ukraine, during a debate on growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine on 26th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, it is right that we attend to the situation in Russia, but Ukraine is a deeply divided country. The situation is not helped by, for example, Ukraine’s decision three years ago to make Ukrainian the national language, precluding the involvement of some 50% of Russians in the south and east of the country, who speak only Russian. What are Her Majesty’s Government doing to bring economic development and social cohesion to try to strengthen and bolster the life of Ukraine, as it faces this threat?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about development and social cohesion in Ukraine”The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answers on 26th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of India over its refusal to allow Oxfam and the Missionaries of Charity operating in that country to receive money from abroad.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): We are aware that some Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have faced difficulties in India due to the application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by the Indian authorities, and that some have recently had applications to renew their foreign funding licenses rejected. We continue to support a wide range of local NGO partners in India, including through programmes, and officials have discussed issues facing NGOs directly with the Indian Government.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about treatment of Christians in India”The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to concerns expressed by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem that “radical fringe groups” are trying to drive Christians out of Jerusalem, what assessment they have made of the future status of Christians in Jerusalem.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about issues faced by Christians in Jerusalem”
On 20th January 2022, the Bishop of Leeds asked a question regarding Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement regarding the Organisation for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE):
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, what assessment have Her Majesty’s Government made of the statement by Sergey Lavrov two days ago that the OSCE used to convene parties on an equal basis but it is now simply a defender of western interests? What impact does that have on our conversations with the Russians?
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con): I am sorry but I shall have to write to the right reverend Prelate on that. I have not seen Sergey Lavrov’s statement.
The Bishop of Coventry tabled a question on reconciling differences between states with nuclear weapons and states without nuclear weapons on 12th January 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reconcile differences between nuclear possessor states and non-nuclear possessor states at the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, Foreign Office): My Lords, the United Kingdom recognises its responsibilities as a bridge builder among nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states at the 10th review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. To support discussions, we are submitting working papers on transparency, verification and peaceful uses. We will host side events including a joint P5 event on doctrines and policy.
Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry tables question on nuclear weapons”
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