Tag: Southwark

Bishop of Southwark asks about sanctions on Commonwealth citizens with right of abode but without documentation

On 30th June the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer to a question from Baroness Williams of Trafford on sanctions towards Commonwealth citizens with right of abode but incorrect documentation.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL5625 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of oversight of sanctions, including denial of employment, health services, benefits and housing, to Commonwealth Citizens who do not have correct documentation but who have (1) right of abode or (2) right to remain in the UK.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about handling of Commonwealth citizens long term in the UK without documentation

On 24th June the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark received a written answer to two questions to  Government  on the handling of cases of Commonwealth citizens who have resided a long time in the UK but without documentation .

Lord Bishop of Southwark:

(i) HL5624 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) gaps in national insurance records where the fault does not lie with the individual, and (2) whether Home Office caseworkers should be able to use discretion when dealing with Commonwealth Citizens, including those with right of abode, who have resided for a long time in the UK, but who do not have correct documentation.

 (ii) HL5623 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice and training they have given to Home Office caseworkers about (1) the right of abode in the UK, and (2) the level of discretion that caseworkers can use when dealing with Commonwealth Citizens who have resided for a long time in the UK, but who do not have correct documentation.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about representations to Israel on West Bank settlements

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3520 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about its plans to commence discussions from 1 July on applying Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and other territory in the occupied West Bank.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about discussions with EU and USA on West Bank settlements

On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3521 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) EU member states, and (2) the United States, about the government of Israel’s intention to commence discussions from 1 July on applying Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and other territory in the occupied West Bank.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about impact of West Bank action on two-state solution

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)

On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3522 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of any decision by the government of Israel to unilaterally annex part of the West Bank after 1 July on the viability of a two-state solution.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Israeli settlements in West Bank

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3523 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 13 February (HL1282), what steps they intend to take in response to the government of Israel’s actions should it unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about visas for ministers of religion

On 23rd March 2020 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question on visas for ministers of religion:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL2370 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the UK’s points-based immigration system: policy statement, published on 19 February, what changes, if any, they plan to make to the existing Tier 2 Minister of Religion Category.

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government to extend full recognition to the Palestinian state

On 27th February 2020 the House of Lords debated a motion from Baroness Tonge, “To move that this House takes note of the United States’ proposals for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, announced on 28 January.” The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, spoke in the debate:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Tonge, for securing this important debate. I also express my gratitude to the Minister and to his officials for the careful but clear Answers to my Parliamentary Written Questions relevant to this debate that he gave on 11 and 13 February.​

Your Lordships’ House will be aware from my interventions in earlier debates that I am the only Anglican bishop who is a member of the Vatican-mandated Holy Land Co-ordination group, which visits Christian communities in Israel and Palestine every January. I also make at least one other visit to the region each year and will be on ecumenical pilgrimage there next week. Last year, I was also in Egypt with His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Archbishop of London, and other church leaders. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government to extend full recognition to the Palestinian state”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Israel, Palestine

On 11th and 13th February 2020 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received written answers to five questions, on Israel & Palestine.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL1278  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they had with the government of the United States about their proposal Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of Palestinian and Israeli People prior to its publication on 28 January.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The US Administration shared details of their proposals with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in advance. The Prime Minister discussed the United States’ proposals during a call with President Trump on 28 January and the Foreign Secretary has also spoken to Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Pompeo.

 

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Bishop of Southwark questions Government policy of deporting foreign national offenders with longstanding roots in UK

On 10th February 2020 Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford, repeated a Government statement made in the House of Commons on planned deportation flights to Jamaica. The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, following on from the previous question*, will the Minister consider whether or not it is appropriate for this country to seek to deal with the offences and aftermath of those brought up here as children, rather than expel them to countries of which they know little, save in the most exceptional circumstances?

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