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776837

registered interest
date	24/10/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Anniversaries: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of whether to mark the 400th anniversary of imposition of the Five Articles of Perth by James I of England and VI of Scotland on the Church of Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Preston
tabling member printed	Mr Mark Hendrick
uin	109298
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2017 answer text <p>The decision to mark the 400<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Five Articles of Perth is not a matter for the Church of England, being as they were specific to the Crown and the Church of Scotland. This decision is a matter for the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church.</p><p> </p><p>Should they wish to mark this anniversary, it would be their decision as to whether to invite the Church of England to participate.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 06/11/2017 16:08:29 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

765192

registered interest
date	06/10/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Church of England: LGBT People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England has taken to prevent the imposition of (a) the death penalty and (b) other criminal sanctions on LGBT people on account of their sexuality.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	105618
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2017 answer text <p>The Communique that followed the January 2016 meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion stated that “the Primates condemned homophobic prejudice and violence and resolved to work together to offer pastoral care and loving service irrespective of sexual orientation. This conviction arises out of our discipleship of Jesus Christ. The Primates reaffirmed their rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people.&quot;</p><p>In the House of Lords bishops have recently raised concerns about persecution and detention of LGBT citizens in Chechnya and have supported the need to appoint an LGBT advocate at the UN.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 10/10/2017 16:03:35 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

765193

registered interest
date	06/10/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Church of England: LGBT People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England has taken as a result of the Anglican Primates' statement of January 2016 on homophobic prejudice and violence and the rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	105619
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2017 answer text <p>At their meeting in Canterbury in October 2017 the Anglican Primates reaffirmed their commitment to the statement made in 2016, specifically the Communion’s sorrow for previous failures to support LGBTI people and its condemnation of homophobic prejudice and violence. The full statement can be read here: <a href="http://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/311326/communiqu%C3%A9-primates-meeting-2017.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/311326/communiqu%C3%A9-primates-meeting-2017.pdf</a> <br>The Primates also welcomed news that the Church of England has embarked on a major study of the cultural, scientific, scriptural and theological aspects of human sexuality.</p><p> </p><p>In 2014 the Church started working closely with a variety of external organisations to develop a resource for its schools called ‘Valuing all God’s Children’, to combat homophobic bullying. The Education Division of the Church of England is currently updating this resource to include support for Trans and Bi students. The updated version of ‘Valuing All God’s Children’ should be published later this year. At the July General Synod a motion was passed calling for a ban on the practice of Conversion Therapy aimed at altering sexual orientation.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 10/10/2017 16:05:49 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

758629

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the effect of admission costs for cathedrals and abbeys in England on the ability of UK families to visit such places.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	9310
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/09/2017 answer text <p>There is no central policy on charging for entry at Church of England churches and cathedrals. It is for the cathedral chapters and church incumbents to decide how best to meet their financial obligations, such as running costs and repairs, and in the case of the most popular, to manage their visitor numbers.</p><p> </p><p>However, only nine out of the 42 Church of England cathedrals, and very few churches, charge for entry. All churches and cathedrals which charge for entry give free access to those attending services and for private prayer, and some give free entry on Sundays and at other times. Many also run a full programme of outreach, education programmes and events for children and families which are accessible at little or no cost.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 13/09/2017 10:42:15 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

758630

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Martin Luther
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what events and activities the Diocese of Blackburn is undertaking to mark the Quincentenary of the nailing of Ninety-five Theses by Martin Luther on the door of All Saints' Church, Wittenberg, on 31 October 1517.
tabling member constituency	Preston
tabling member printed	Mr Mark Hendrick
uin	9589
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>Church of England dioceses are marking the 500<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation in Europe and parishes are being encourage to commemorate the anniversary in a variety of ways. For example in my own parish of Knowle, a sermon series will be held. Information on some of the main events being run across the Church can be seen here: <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchofengland.org%2Fabout-us%2Fwork-other-churches%2Freformation-anniversary.aspx&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccaroline.spelman.mp%40parliament.uk%7Cbbc1685112df4c3c74fb08d50efd5279%7C1ce6dd9eb3374088be5e8dbbec04b34a%7C0%7C0%7C636431403555587103&amp;sdata=ju%2FOecFACae7msYLsYPefLXCOwB3B3TELW5P9gX9vAk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/work-other-churches/reformation-anniversary.aspx</a></p><p>At Westminster Abbey on 31<sup>st</sup> October at noon there will be a service to mark the Anniversary led by the Dean of Westminster, with an Address given by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Among those attending will be representatives of Lutheran churches in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Blackburn Diocese is planning two large scale events. The first is to be hosted by the local Churches Together network at Blackburn Cathedral on Thursday 19<sup>th</sup> October at 2pm. More information is at: <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackburn.anglican.org%2Fevents%2F67%2Freformation-500-service-at-cathedral&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccaroline.spelman.mp%40parliament.uk%7Cbbc1685112df4c3c74fb08d50efd5279%7C1ce6dd9eb3374088be5e8dbbec04b34a%7C0%7C0%7C636431403555587103&amp;sdata=QREnzncusQ9EVbyhTkQUmlx8sgb6sB5GvEV%2FVegqdcI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/events/67/reformation-500-service-at-cathedral</a> The Diocese is also holding a discussion evening with the Bishop of Burnley at Whalley Abbey on Monday 30<sup>th</sup> October, 7pm.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 09/10/2017 14:01:27 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

754005

registered interest
date	19/07/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Nottinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what progress has been made on the provision of toilets at St Wilfrid's Church, Scrooby, Nottinghamshire.
tabling member constituency	Bassetlaw
tabling member printed	John Mann
uin	6282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2017 answer text <p>The parish of Scrooby is currently in interregnum. Having spoken with the churchwarden I understand that the Parish Council, congregation and community have taken the decision to improve the facilities in the nearby village hall, rather than at St Wilfrid’s. The decision was in part a consequence of the difficulty of finding a practical and cost effective way to connect the church with the local sewerage network. The circumstances of this particular case also highlight the wider issue of the capacity of volunteers to take on infrastructure projects in complex historic buildings, alongside their other voluntary duties, in a church where there is a vacancy.</p><p>The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham is committed to working with parishes to help them deliver new facilities, including toilets, to enable wider use of church buildings. Further support and advice on building projects is available from the Church Buildings Council of the Church of England: <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchcare.co.uk%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Canna.caffell%40parliament.uk%7C53cc10203ace47fd1ed108d4d416e88d%7C1ce6dd9eb3374088be5e8dbbec04b34a%7C0%7C0%7C636366642233807387&amp;sdata=72%2F4uqw3w7Ns6bqyMg%2BLPjevf%2FUsHSuYBIssAlLw6v4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://www.churchcare.co.uk/</a></p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 05/09/2017 15:34:21 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	1387 label Biography information for Lord Mann

748474

registered interest
date	05/07/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Bats
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Commissioners have had with Church of England representatives on encouraging clergy to install bat boxes to provide alternative accommodation for these mammals.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	3275
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2017 answer text <p>Bat roosting remains a significant and costly issue for around 100 churches, where large roosts mean constant cleaning, damage to significant artefacts and delays to repair work, all of which reduce the use of the building by the congregation and community. Our experience is that bat boxes are not always the best solution, since there is no guarantee that the bats will use them.</p><p>The Church of England has recently secured Heritage Lottery funding as part of a partnership led by Natural England for a project to mitigate the impact of bats in churches. This work will include looking at ways that bats can be moved to more suitable locations when the roost has an adverse effect on the congregation. More details of the project can be found at: <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.batsandchurches.org.uk%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccaroline.spelman.mp%40parliament.uk%7Cce2d399c7fb44acf61a608d4c786a2c4%7C1ce6dd9eb3374088be5e8dbbec04b34a%7C0%7C0%7C636352828440490556&amp;sdata=nB8DRan2yfmUY2JOhTRkJHRuAKwISw7xGnNjYiRZ%2Fi4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://www.batsandchurches.org.uk/</a></p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 10/07/2017 11:38:20 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

748475

registered interest
date	05/07/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Camping Sites
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Commissioners have had with Church of England representatives on expanding the availability of champing in England's churches.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	3276
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2017 answer text <p><strong>‘</strong>Champing’, or overnight camping in a church, is a new form of holiday pioneered by the Churches Conservation Trust. It currently uses only closed churches, 12 of which across the UK are available for visitors to stay the night in, between April and September. The Church of England is however working in partnership with the Churches Conservation Trust to bring the Champing model into operation for open churches, to offer high end accommodation that enables congregations to generate income, whilst also maintaining space for worship and community use.</p><p>The Church of England has developed a model for a high quality and revisable timber structure, which can be placed in open churches to provide a lettable insulated space, which in turn can generate income needed to maintain the building, thereby releasing money for mission. Designed to support rural parishes this model is being piloted in the Diocese of Hereford thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and AllChurches Trust. More information is at: <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.champing.co.uk%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccaroline.spelman.mp%40parliament.uk%7Cce2d399c7fb44acf61a608d4c786a2c4%7C1ce6dd9eb3374088be5e8dbbec04b34a%7C0%7C0%7C636352828440490556&amp;sdata=EC71jPHUwRiZbms%2BjBeKwn65m7w1hBPppp3zl%2FUTJkU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://www.champing.co.uk/</a></p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 10/07/2017 11:38:57 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

722426

registered interest
date	19/04/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Homelessness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to support local projects tackling homelessness.
tabling member constituency	Torbay
tabling member printed	Kevin Foster
uin	71313
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2017 answer text <p>At parish and diocesan level the Church is closely involved in providing support to homeless people through night shelters and other activities, and raising funds and awareness. Recently in the House of Lords bishops supported the Homelessness Reduction Bill.</p><p>In the Torbay area the Vicar on the Streets initiative undertaken by Revd Gary Deighton of St George's Church, Goodrington, and the Winter Night Shelter run by local churches have both made a real difference to the issues of homelessness. The clergy and parishioners of Goodrington and Torbay have raised nearly five thousand pounds over the period of Lent to support the Shekinah Mission, which works across Devon to provide a safe space for people to develop their skills, regain their self-worth and go on to live independent and fulfilling lives.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 24/04/2017 10:03:04 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster

715574

registered interest
date	30/03/2017
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Peterborough
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions she has had with the Diocese of Peterborough on the proposals for alterations to St Botolph's Church in Longthorpe, Peterborough; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Peterborough
tabling member printed	Mr Stewart Jackson
uin	70163
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2017 answer text <p>St Botolph’s in Longthorpe is a 700 year old church. The interior is by no means original, having been altered and changed over the centuries. All parishes that wish to alter their church interiors are required to seek advice and permission from a variety of bodies before a reordering can take place. Parishes undertaking such large scale reordering schemes do not therefore do so lightly. The usual reasons are that the interior no longer serves the needs of the parish and worshiping community. This appears to have been the case at St Botolph’s where members of the congregation need wheelchair access.</p><p>The Church Buildings Council of the Church of England were asked to advise the local Diocesan Advisory Committee in Peterborough when the scheme was initially proposed in 2015 and were supportive of the change. The alterations proposed make reasonable adjustments to the building, which will facilitate the smoother operation of services, funerals and weddings. They will also enable the priest to face the congregation during services, provide wheelchair access and offer a larger children’s area.</p><p>When considering potential alterations, the Church and the Diocesan Consistory Courts must balance the needs of the congregation and parish against any architectural merit the existing furniture or layout may have. When a reordering is done well it often brings with it very positive opportunities for community and congregation to offer new facilities, events and activities, which ultimately bring the Church back to its original purpose to be a space for all in the local community.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 18/04/2017 12:17:27 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	1551 label Biography information for Lord Jackson of Peterborough