Written Questions answered on 24th January, 2014:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the additional cost of heating for rural households not on the gas grid.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma): The Government believes that domestic consumers living off the mains gas-grid should have access to secure and affordable fuel supplies to heat their homes.
On 8th, 14th, 20th and 22nd January 2014, seven bishops took part in votes on amendments to the Government’s Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, during its Report Stage.
Continue reading “Votes – Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill”
On 15th January 2014, the Lord Bishop of St Albans received answers to four written questions, on the Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee and discretionary housing payments.
Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to ensure that the collective knowledge and experience of Regional Advisory Committee staff is being retained within the new Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committees.
On 7th January 2014, Lord Horam asked Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made with the Troubled Families Programme.
The Bishop of St Albans asked a supplementary question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, does the noble Baroness agree that there is a considerable body of research and expertise pointing to the vital importance of relationship support in strengthening families? As there are no specific references to family relationships or positive family dynamics in the progress report, will she ask the Troubled Families programme to prioritise such support in the next phase of its work?
On 9th and 17th December 2013, a number of bishops took part in votes to amend the Government’s Children and Families Bill, during the bill’s Report Stage.
On 17th December 2013, Lord Clark of Windermere asked Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry.
The Bishop of St Albans asked a supplementary question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, as Her Majesty’s Government will be aware, there are several very serious diseases affecting trees in this country. What steps are being taken to ensure that, with the reorganisation of the responsibilities of the Forestry Commission, this important disease prevention, control and elimination work will not only continue but be strengthened?
On 11th December, two bishops took part in a division on the Government’s Energy Bill, during ‘ping pong’ between the House of Lords and House of Commons.
On 5th December 2013, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, Lord Bishop of St Albans, made his maiden speech in the House of Lords, during Baroness Morgan of Huyton’s take note debate on the contribution of high-quality education to economic growth.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans makes maiden speech in eduation debate”
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