On 7th March 2023, the House of Lords debated the National Security Bill in the second day of the report stage. Votes were held on amendments to the Bill, in which bishops took part:
Votes: National Security Bill
Tag: security
Bishop of St Albans asks about potential security threats posed by DNA testing ancestry companies
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 8th February 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any security threat posed by the collection of biometric data by direct-to-consumer DNA testing ancestry companies.
Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office has made no such assessment.
Bishop of St Albans asks about links between Chinese surveillance companies and human rights abuses
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 7th February 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of the Chinese surveillance companies (1) Dahua, and (2) Hikvision; what assessment they have made of any links between those companies and human rights abuses in the Xinjiang province; and what assessment they have made of whether they constitute a security threat to the UK.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about links between Chinese surveillance companies and human rights abuses”Bishop of Leeds asks about potential breaches of international law in new legislation
The Bishop of Leeds asked a question about the importance of following international law on 2nd November 2022, during a debate following a government statement on national security:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I really welcome the Statement and the very full answers that the Minister has given. It is very encouraging. However, when the Statement refers to protection that defends our democratic institutions, it is not just external threats: there are internal threats that weaken our defences, such as putting draft legislation into Parliament that threatens to breach international law. If we uphold the rule of law, we cannot continue to do that.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about potential breaches of international law in new legislation”Bishop of Leeds asks about recent security breach by the Home Secretary
The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked a question about security breaches during a debate on use of private mobile telephones and email accounts by ministers on Wednesday 2nd November 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I sympathise over the complexity of this matter, particularly given the technological developments, but there is the question of principle, which does not particularly relate to the recent cases cited. Several decades ago, when I was at GCHQ, the slightest security misdemeanour meant that you lost your job. Does that principle—that making a serious security error has consequences and a simple apology will not do—still apply? I cannot think of another circumstance in which an apology would have sufficed.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about recent security breach by the Home Secretary”Bishop of St Albans speaks in debate on security challenges and China
The Bishop of St Albans spoke in a debate on security challenges relating to China, on 14th July 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I have spoken on numerous occasions about the ongoing tragedy in Xinjiang province. I have also spoken on various occasions about the worrying issues of surveillance and hacking of businesses and individuals in this country. It is very helpful to hear other noble Lords picking up on some of them. However, in the very limited time I have, I want to make a few comments building on some of those made by the noble Lord, Lord Howell of Guildford, about China’s relationship with the Commonwealth. In particular, I want to focus on the soft power which maintains strong international bonds, bolsters our influence in the world and commends our western culture, rooted in an understanding which draws on Christian tradition.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans speaks in debate on security challenges and China”Bishop of Leeds asks about security following Salisbury poisoning
The Bishop of Leeds asked the following question on 7th July 2022, during Lords exchanges on the Prime Minister’s meeting with Alexander Lebedev:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, if I am right, the visit to Alexander Lebedev came in the wake of the Skripal poisoning in Salisbury, which involved two Russian agents bringing, effectively, a chemical weapon through Heathrow, a commercial airport. Can the Minister give any assurance it could not happen again, and what assessment have the Government made of that episode and the dangers it caused for potentially thousands of people?
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about security following Salisbury poisoning”Bishop of Leeds asks about statements made by Russian foreign minister regarding security in Europe
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.
Bishop of St Albans asks about security of the UK fishing industry
On 1st November 2021, the Bishop of St Albans tabled a question on government efforts to reassure UK fishing industry following the seizure of a fishing vessel by the French authorities:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reassure the UK fishing industry following the seizure of a UK vessel by the French authorities.
Lord Benyon (Con, DEFRA): My Lords, I cannot comment on the specifics of this case, given that legal proceedings are under way. More broadly, however, we are disappointed at the French Government’s recent actions, culminating in threats that were issued on Wednesday. We have raised our concerns with the French Government and the Commission. The Government have been clear that, if these actions were to be taken, they would put the EU in breach of the TCA. Our approach to licensing has been reasonable and fully in line with the TCA.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about security of the UK fishing industry”Votes: National Security and Investment Bill
On 15th April 2021, the House of Lords debated the National Security and Investment Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:
The Church of England in Parliament 
You must be logged in to post a comment.