On 17th May 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question on Forestry Commission Land:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hectares of land were owned by the Forestry Commission in (1) 2000, (2) 2005, (3) 2010, (4) 2015, and (5) 2018. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about Forestry Commission land”
On 16th May 2018, Lord Roberts asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to improve the assessment of immigration applications by UK Visas and Immigration, given that 40 per cent of immigration appeals heard by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals in 2016 were granted.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, there has been much discussion about targets for the number of removals over the past few weeks, which we are all aware of. As the average length of time that these appeals are taking is increasing, is it not the case that we need some targets to reduce the length of time, because people are being left in limbo with their lives are on hold as these are going through?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about immigration application appeal targets”
On 14th May the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage:
The Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on payment of emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage overseas. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about forced marriage victims”
On the 10th May 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith spoke in Baroness Anelay’s debate about recent developments in Myanmar. Bishop Alan spoke about the continued hostilities against minority communities in Myanmar and highlighted the importance of reconciliation work with young people to create a mutual commitment to peace and the cessation of violence. Lord Ahmad responded to the debate for the Government and his comments can be seen below.
On 8th May 2018 the House of Lords considered amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill at its Report Stage. The Bishops of Ely, Leeds and St Albans took part in the four votes:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds moved amendment 93, before clause 14, to insert the new clause Future interaction with the law and agencies of the EU.
Contents: 298 | Not Contents: 227 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishops of Ely, Leeds and St Albans voted content.
The Duke of Wellington moved amendment 85, in clause 14, page 10, line 40, to leave out from “means” to end of line 41 and insert “such day as a Minister of the Crown may by regulations appoint (and see subsection (2));”.
Contents: 311 | Not Contents: 233 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishops of Leeds and St Albans voted content.
Lord Alli moved amendment 110A, in clause 19, page 15, line 21, at end to insert:
“(2B) But none of the remaining provisions may come into force until it is a negotiating objective of the Government to ensure that an international agreement has been made which enables the United Kingdom to continue to participate in the European Economic Area after exit day.
(2C) Regulations under this Act may not repeal or amend subsection (2B).”
Contents: 247 | Not Contents: 218 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishops of Ely and Leeds voted content.
Lord Lisvane moved amendment 70, in Schedule 7, page 44, line 35, to leave out from beginning to end of line 20 on page 45 and insert:
Parliamentary committees to sift regulations made under section 7, 8, 9 or 17.
Contents: 225 | Not Contents: 194 | Result: Government Defeat
The Bishop of Leeds voted content.
(Via Parliament.uk)
On 3rd May 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question of Government that he had tabled on the impact of gambling advertising.
The exchange with the Minister, and the follow-up questions of others is reproduced below:
On 18th April 2018 the House of Lords considered amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill at its Report Stage. Two votes took place on amendments to the Bill, both of which saw bishops take part: Continue reading “Votes: EU (Withdrawal) Bill”
On the 12th April the Bishop of St Albans the Rt Revd Alan Smith received an answer to his question about forced marriage.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans questions Government about Forced Marriages”
On 6th April 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to three questions about the Consultation on proposals for changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans:
(i) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what meetings civil servants and ministers have had with stakeholders about the Consultation on proposals for changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures; and what were the (1) dates, (2) locations, and (3) attendees, of each of those meetings.
(ii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all submissions to the Consultation on proposals for changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures will be published alongside the review.
(iii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have commissioned small-scale qualitative research to assess the appropriate stakes for category B2 gaming machines. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about the Consultation on proposals for changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures”
On 27th March 2018 Lord Bassam of Brighton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what further measures, if any, they plan to take to increase the supply of council housing stock to replace homes for rent lost through right-to-buy sales”. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: May I push the Minister a little more on the whole question of rural housing? Only 12% of the rural housing stock is social housing, compared with 19% in urban areas. How exactly are Her Majesty’s Government going to increase the level of rural social housing over the coming years? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about social housing supply in rural areas”
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