Oral Answers to Questions

Vicky Ford Excerpts

Thursday 7th December 2017 Commons Chamber

The right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)]

8. What steps the Church of England is taking to support religious communities in Egypt as a result of the recent attacks against Coptic and Islamic communities in that country.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Dame Caroline Spelman)]

The Church supports ecumenical agencies such as Embrace the Middle East. That, in turn, has supported four projects, including for the Coptic Evangelical Organisation for Social Services in Cairo, which supports more than 2 million Egyptians in more than 100 rural and urban communities.

[Vicky Ford]

What steps is the Church taking to highlight the importance of a cross-Department approach to tackling the persecution of religious minorities, especially Christians abroad, not simply because that is the right thing to do, but because it is important for our security at home?

[Dame Caroline Spelman]

The Church regularly facilitates opportunities for Church representatives to speak to Government Departments. Only this week we facilitated a visit by a bishop from Zimbabwe, who spoke to Foreign Office Ministers. I draw my hon. Friend’s attention to the interesting speech made by the Bishop of Peterborough on 5 December, in which he talked very much about the hidden victims of persecution. I think that she will find comfort in the bishop’s speech with regard to awareness of how this plays at home.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We now come to the urgent question—

[Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Is the hon. Lady seeking to come in on this question a bit belatedly?

[Vicky Ford]

indicated assent.

[Mr Speaker]

I think the hon. Lady has already asked a question in this group, so I am afraid it is not within the rules for her to come in, but I am sure we will hear further from her in the course of the day—possibly on multiple occasions. We will see.