Contributions
922 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSmaller and Rural Churches: Covid-19I can give the hon. Lady that reassurance. I know from my own village church how seriously the vicar and the church wardens are taking their responsibilities to make sure that the…25 Jun 2020HANSARDSmaller and Rural Churches: Covid-19Church House staff and the House of Bishops are doing everything they can to assist parish churches to open safely. The guidance published by the Church is applicable for small…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Live StreamingI am delighted to learn about the increase in church attendance in my hon. Friend and neighbour’s constituency. It is not unusual. The Church made a significant investment in a…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Live StreamingI am pleased to be able to tell my hon. Friend that more people have been taking part in church services during lockdown than ever before. The national weekly service of the…25 Jun 2020HANSARDSupport for Family Life: Covid-19In the diocese of Oxford, which covers Beaconsfield, churches have opened food banks and community larders and supported vulnerable people who are socially isolating as well as…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Covid-19My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Cathedrals such as Lichfield are at the centre of the amazing choral tradition that we have in this country. Sadly, I have to tell him that…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Covid-19The Church is delighted to be able to throw open its doors again, so that we can gather again for public worship and weddings in the way that we have not been able to do over the…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Covid-19I thank my hon. Friend for that question, and I can tell her that the Church of England pensions board already supports the social housing market through investments in social…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Covid-19I thank my right hon. Friend for her kind good wishes, which are greatly appreciated. As she said, weddings can now take place from 4 July, but only with a maximum of 30 people.…25 Jun 2020HANSARDChurch Services: Covid-19The last three months have been the first time in more than 800 years that England has gone without public worship and the sacraments, so there is real joy that we can meet again,…25 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I agree with what my right hon. Friend says. Eagle-eyed observers of the amendment paper will have noted that new clause 1, in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]Do I detect from what my hon. Friend has said that he is supportive of new clause 1 and amendment 7, which are, in fact, identical in terms of marriage and relationship support?…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I apologise for missing the start of my right hon. and learned Friend’s remarks. I do not know whether he had a chance to watch any of the Committee stage, but looking at what his…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]When we had the Second Reading debate on the Bill not so long ago, the Lord Chancellor made the very good observation that if we were serious about strengthening marriages and…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Sanctuaries: ReopeningI congratulate both my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) and the hon. Member for City of Chester (Christian Matheson) on their fantastic speeches. It is a…11 Jun 2020HANSARD Education Settings: Wider OpeningChildren at Wombourne High School in the Secretary of State’s own constituency are very fortunate because they continue to enjoy virtual lessons. What will the Secretary of State…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]This Bill is aimed at minimising conflict between separated couples to make divorce not easier, but kinder. Divorce will take a minimum of six months, with an average of four out…08 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]We are in the final year of that £39 million, and there is no guarantee as to what will happen in the next financial year. Could the Lord Chancellor reassure us that he will be a…08 Jun 2020HANSARDBuildings, Liturgy and Worship: AdaptationThe House of Bishops guidance issued on 5 May shows that the Church of England is committed to reopening buildings in a phased and measured manner, in accordance with the legal…19 May 2020HANSARDSupport for Hospital ChaplainsI thank my hon. Friend for his interest in and concern for our hospital chaplains, who have done such amazing work in recent months. The Church works closely with the College of…19 May 2020