| Gregory Barker | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Malcolm Moss | | David Taylor | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd |
| That this House welcomes the publication of the Countryside Alliance's report on fly-tipping, Time for Action; notes that there were 2.5 million incidents of fly-tipping last year at a cost of £150 million to taxpayers; further notes that this equates to a new incident every 12 seconds at a cost of £72 a minute; urges the Government to consider carefully the report's recommendations to improve access to civic amenity sites, provide better advice for households, landowners and the travelling community and to review business and trade practices, current legislation and enforcement practices to seek to reduce the number of fly-tipping incidents and the financial burden to taxpayers; and calls upon the Government to work with groups such as the Countryside Alliance and other stakeholder members of the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group to step up the campaign against fly-tipping. |
| 295 | CHILDREN WITH COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS AND THE COMMUNICATION TRUST | 19:11:07 |
| John Bercow | | Annette Brooke | | Mr Tom Clarke | | Mr David Laws | | Tim Loughton | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| That this House welcomes the creation of the Communication Trust, supported by Afasic, the Council for Disabled Children, I CAN and the BT Better World Campaign; notes that one in 10 children in the UK has communication problems that require specialist help, representing approximately three children in every classroom, with many more having inadequate speech and language skills; recognises that all children will benefit from a skilled workforce who can support speech and language, as communication skills are linked to attainment; further notes that many teachers and other members of the children's workforce feel ill equipped to support children's speech and language development; congratulates the Trust on its work in improving provision for children who struggle with communication by devising, promoting and delivering training resources, programmes and services to augment and support the work of local speech and language therapy services that will help the children's workforce to develop appropriate skills; and urges the Government and its delivery partners, including the Training and Development Agency, the Children's Workforce Development Council and the Children's Workforce Network, to give all possible support to the Communication Trust to help enable the children's workforce to ensure that the current generation of children is able to communicate effectively. |
| 296 | PROVISION OF ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT TO DISABLED AND TERMINALLY ILL CHILDREN | 19:11:07 |
| Dr Tony Wright | | Mr George Howarth | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| | Mark Williams | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House calls for the improved provision of essential equipment to disabled and terminally ill children; notes with concern the findings of the report It's Not Too Much to Ask by national children's charity BDF Newlife that the current system is failing thousands of disabled and terminally ill children and their familes; and calls upon the Government to ensure that these children are properly provided for in terms of their individually assessed needs and that criteria for equipment are standardised to put an end to the current postcode lottery provision. |
| 297 | ASSAULTS ON FIREFIGHTERS | 19:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House notes with alarm the number of assaults on members of the fire brigade attending incidents, with figures for 2004-05 showing that there were 633 such assaults; recognises the excellent service provided by firefighters, who often risk their own lives on behalf of others; condemns any attacks or assaults on firefighters; recognises that under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 it is an offence to obstruct or interfere with an employee of a fire and rescue authority when they are carrying out their duties; and calls on the Government to take a zero tolerance stance in order to protect firefighters. |
| 298 | PENSION AND EARNINGS LINK | 19:11:07 |
| Mr David Crausby | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Ms Katy Clark | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Chris McCafferty |
| | Mr Alex Salmond | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House welcomes the Government's help and assistance given to many pensioners by way of winter fuel payments, concessionary television licences and free bus passes; and calls for the Government to consider using the expected surplus in the national insurance fund to bring forward the restoration of the link between pensions and earnings in order to help pensioners, particularly those who rely entirely on their state pension. |
| As an Amendment to Mr David Crausby's proposed Motion (Pension and Earnings Link): |
| David Taylor | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| Line 4, at end insert `to 2008.'. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Mr Martin Caton | | Dr Ian Gibson |
| | Mark Williams | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House recognises the importance of encouraging people to grow their own produce; further notes the level of demand for allotments amongst people of all ages; realises that in many areas there is a shortage of land for allotments despite the fact that local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide allotments for local residents; and calls on the Government to ensure that all local authorities honour this statutory obligation in relation to allotments. |
| 300 | WHALING (No. 2) | 19:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| That this House condemns the latest actions by Japanese whalers who are hunting minke and humpback whales; expresses grave concern at the relentless increase in numbers of whales killed by Japan, Iceland and Norway, and their pressure to overturn the moratorium on commercial whaling and the ban on international trade in whale products; welcomes the campaign by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society to stop commercial whaling; congratulates the Government for its recent commitment to regaining a conservation majority at the International Whaling Commission; and strongly believes that, for the UK to be the most effective advocate for whale conservation, the issue needs to be elevated to the Prime Minister's agenda and adequately resourced. |
| 301 | SEVERN TIDAL POWER AND GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE SEVERN ESTUARY | 19:11:07 |
| Roger Berry | | Mr John Gummer | | Steve Webb | | Alun Michael | | Stephen Williams | | Dr Desmond Turner |
| | Mr Robert Walter | Mark Williams |
| That this House welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform of a feasibility study into the generation of electricity from the Severn Estuary that will critically evaluate all the major options; notes that the Severn Tidal Power project has the potential to provide five per cent. of total UK electricity demand from a renewable, reliable and British source; further notes that through harnessing the natural power of the tidal Severn Estuary, the Severn Tidal Power project would provide enough electricity to power three million homes; is concerned that each month of delay to completion of the project means an extra 0.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted; and calls on the Government to progress the study without delay, making use of the 20 years' experience and knowledge already available. |
| As an Amendment to Roger Berry's proposed Motion (Severn Tidal Power and Generation of Electricity from the Severn Estuary): |
| Line 7, after `homes', insert `recognises that a barrage would irreversibly damage the environment and landscape of the Severn Estuary, that biodiversity would be lost and the future of the port of Bristol compromised'. |
| 305 | HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA | 19:11:07 |
| Mr Andrew Love | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Martin Caton | | Dr Ian Gibson | | Ms Karen Buck | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| | Ian Stewart | Mark Williams | Robert Key | | | Andrew George | Clare Short | Jim Dowd |
| That this House expresses grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the decision by the State of Israel to declare it a hostile entity; notes that this further isolated the 1.5 million Palestinian residents of this occupied territory, 1.1 million of whom have to survive on food handouts; further notes that shortages of medical supplies are reported by the United Nations; considers that future Israeli measures could involve cutting off crucial supplies including food, fuel, electricity and water; believes that such measures would not deter the firing of Kassam rockets but would have a devastating effect on the humanitarian situation in Gaza with a detrimental impact on public health; further believes that the continued political and economic isolation of Gaza will jeopardise the prospects for a lasting peace and for any future negotiations to be credible and successful; and therefore calls upon the UK Government to make the strongest possible representations to the Israeli government that such measures are wholly unacceptable and tantamount to collective punishment and a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. |
| 311 | UNIVERSAL CHILDREN'S DAY | 19:11:07 |
| Annette Brooke | | Chris Huhne | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House notes 20th November as the day on which the General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and, in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child; further notes that at least 37 other countries have a dedicated Children's Day, as recommended by the General Assembly, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children; congratulates 11 Million, formerly the Office of the Children's Commissioner, for launching the first ever 11 Million Takeover Day on 23rd November 2007 encouraging institutions to offer children and young people the chance to take over leadership responsibilities from adults for the day; and furthermore calls on this House to designate a day during which the ideals and objectives of the Convention are promoted throughout the United Kingdom, including children's rights and responsibilities, and on which the achievements of children and young people are celebrated. |
| 312 | WESTERN SAHARA | 19:11:07 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | John Bercow | | Mr David Drew | | Mark Williams | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House welcomes the ongoing UN-sponsored negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara as called for in Security Council resolution 1754; reaffirms that Morocco's unilateral proposal of autonomy is contrary to the principle of self-determination; expresses its deep concern about the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by Moroccan occupying forces in Western Sahara; and calls upon the Government to remain active in ensuring the release of all Saharawi prisoners of conscience, open up the territory for international observers and media and engage in supporting UN efforts to achieve a just solution to the conflict in Western Sahara. |
| Mr David Drew | | David Lepper | | Miss Ann Widdecombe | | Sir Peter Soulsby | | Norman Baker | | Bob Spink |
| | Mr Jim Cunningham | Jim Dowd | Dr Richard Taylor | | | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House notes with concern that badgers, otters, domestic pets, livestock and other animals continue to be severely injured and killed by snares; expresses particular concern that self-locking snares, made illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, are still being used in the UK; notes that free-running snares are legal for the control of foxes and rabbits but are by their nature indiscriminate and therefore cause considerable pain and suffering not only to the target species, but to many non-targeted animals; further notes that the Independent Working Group on Snares agreed that snares were indiscriminate when it reported that it would be difficult to reduce the proportion of non-targeted animals caught below 40 per cent.; believes that the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in relation to snares are difficult to enforce and have failed adequately to protect wildlife from unnecessary suffering and death; welcomes the Scottish Executive's 2007 decision to consult on a ban on snares; further notes that responses to the Scottish consultation were 70 per cent. in favour of a ban; and calls on the Government to consult on the abolition of the manufacture, sale and use of all snares. |
| 315 | CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS FOR MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER | 20:11:07 |
| Dr Howard Stoate | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Lee Scott |
| That this House is concerned that a new report by the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action has revealed significant geographical inequalities in the provision of clinical nurse specialists; notes that the average caseload for prostate cancer clinical nurse specialists is more than double that for breast nurses; further notes that men with prostate cancer report a significantly worse experience of their treatment and care than patients with other cancers; believes that increasing the provision of clinical nurse specialists will make a major contribution to improving the quality of experience reported by men with prostate cancer; and urges the Government to implement the Charter's 18 point action plan on clinical nurse specialists as a priority. |
| 317 | OPEN UNIVERSITY | 20:11:07 |
| Mr Mark Lancaster | | Dr Phyllis Starkey | | Paul Holmes | | Mrs Janet Dean | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Dr Ian Gibson |
| | Richard Ottaway | David Heyes | Tim Farron | | | Mike Penning | Tony Baldry | Mr Bob Laxton | | | Mr Adrian Sanders | Mr Charles Walker | Mr Michael Fallon | | | Mr Dennis Skinner | Jim Dowd | Andrew Selous | | | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House is concerned that the Government's decision to withdraw funding from institutions for equivalent or lower qualification students will have a disproportionate impact on the part-time sector in general and on specific institutions such as Birkbeck and the Open University; and urges the Government to consider ways in which it can minimise the damage this measure will do to lifelong learning and the delivery of the Leitch agenda objectives. |
| 321 | NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE REPLACEMENT, REFINEMENT AND REDUCTION OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH | 20:11:07 |
| Martin Horwood | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mrs Janet Dean | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| That this House is delighted that the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) has received a £1 million cash boost, increasing its budget to £2.4 million to research 11 new 3Rs projects; thanks the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and The Wellcome Trust for their support; is pleased that the importance of 3Rs research has been acknowledged, given Dagmar Roth-Behrendt MEP's recent statement that the deadline for the 2009 EU-wide marketing ban and animal testing ban on cosmetic ingredients will not be delayed; and asks the Government to continue to acknowledge the value of 3Rs research and further demonstrate its support by continuing this level of funding. |
| 325 | SHERWOOD'S LIVING LEGEND LOTTERY BID | 20:11:07 |
| Paddy Tipping | | John Mann | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Graham Allen | | Mr John Heppell | | Alan Simpson |
| That this House welcomes the Big Lottery's The People's £50 million contest; encourages viewers to vote following the screening of the four selected bids to be shown on ITV during the week beginning 3rd December 2007; recognises the strength of the Sherwood: The Living Legend bid in enhancing the environment and lifting the quality of landscape surrounding this internationally renowned woodland; notes the forest's contribution to tackling climate change; values the creation of new paths and cycle ways across a wide area in the Midlands and north of England; is concerned that two of the other selected bids have already received millions of pounds of Lottery funding; continues to press the case for a fair distribution of Lottery funding; and wishes Sherwood, the strongest and most sustainable bid, every success. |
| 326 | POST OFFICE CHRISTMAS CLUB | 20:11:07 |
| Mr David Crausby | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George | | Paul Holmes | | Bob Russell | | Mrs Janet Dean |
| | Mark Williams | Mr Alex Salmond | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House welcomes the launch of the Post Office Christmas Club for 2008; notes that the Post Office is one of the UK's most trusted brands; and believes that the Christmas saving scheme will offer a secure, reliable and convenient way for customers to save whilst supporting and benefiting their local post offices. |
| 327 | BAA PENSION SCHEME | 20:11:07 |
| John McDonnell | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mr Jim Devine |
| | Ian Stewart | Mr Alex Salmond |
| That this House is extremely concerned at the move by BAA to undermine the benefits of its employees' pension scheme given that there are no financial grounds for this action; and urges BAA to negotiate a resolution of this matter with the trade unions involved in order to avoid provoking a dispute at its airports. |
| 329 | NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE AND YOUNG WORKERS | 20:11:07 |
| Ms Katy Clark | | Ian Stewart | | Linda Gilroy | | Jim Sheridan | | Dr Gavin Strang | | Ms Dawn Butler |
| | Mr Alex Salmond | Jim Cousins |
| That this House welcomes the rise in the national minimum wage in October 2007 to £5.52 an hour; notes however that the rate for 18 to 21 year olds is £4.60 an hour and the rate for 16 to 17 year olds is £3.40 an hour; notes that this means that young workers are paid 17 per cent. and 38 per cent. less respectively than the full adult national minimum wage whilst in many cases doing the same work; believes that some employers are using the different wage rates as an opportunity to use young workers as low-wage labour; congratulates UNITE (TGWU) on the lobby of Parliament organised by their young members on 31st October; believes that the Government should ensure full compliance by employers with the national minimum wage; and further calls on the Government to take steps to remove the age discrimination in the national minimum wage and establish one rate for all workers irrespective of age. |
| As an Amendment to Ms Katy Clark's proposed Motion (National Minimum Wage and Young Workers): |
| Line 11, at end add `, and as a first step award the full adult minimum wage rate from age 18 at the earliest opportunity.'. |
| 331 | POLICE OFFICERS' PAY | 20:11:07 |
| David T. C. Davies | | Mr Lee Scott | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Ann Winterton | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Philip Davies |
| | Mr David Chaytor | Mr Charles Walker |
| That this House salutes the dedication, courage and professionalism of police officers throughout the United Kingdom in tackling crime and protecting the public; believes that they should be justly rewarded for the job they do on behalf of us all; recalls that in July the official side and the staff side of the Police Negotiating Board failed to agree the annual pay rise for police officers for the second year running; notes that on 2nd November the issue was passed to the independent Police Arbitration Service for resolution; recognises that both sides of the Police Negotiating Board are bound by the decision of the Police Arbitration Board; and calls upon the Home Secretary to be equally bound to implement any recommendation made. |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Philip Davies | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Mike Weir |
| | Mr Robert Walter | Keith Vaz |
| That this House expresses grave concern at the arrest of Imran Khan, the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party; condemns the decision of President Musharraf to impose a state of emergency; and urges the President to lift all restrictions on freedom and opposition parties and to restore the constitution and hold democratic elections as soon as possible. |
| 339 | SOCIAL TARIFFS | 21:11:07 |
| John Battle | | Alan Simpson | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Amess | | Dr Vincent Cable | | Lembit Öpik |
| | Martin Horwood | Mr David Chaytor | Jenny Willott | | | Keith Vaz | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House notes with concern that fuel poverty in the UK has returned to the four million household level as a direct result of sustained high energy prices; also notes that there is considerably more work to be done if the Government is to meet its targets to eradicate fuel poverty among vulnerable households by 2010 and among all households by 2016; believes that social tariffs have a key role to play in helping the fuel poor heat their homes to a comfortable and safe level; observes that there has consistently been wide variation in suppliers' voluntary efforts to help low-income households; further observes with concern that low-income households using prepayment meters continue to pay on average £127 more a year for their gas and electricity than those paying by direct debit and that this gap has increased by up to 70 per cent. in the last two years; and calls for the Energy Bill to be used to include powers that enable the Secretary of State to require suppliers to offer social tariffs in accordance with minimum standards providing households on low incomes with access to best value tariffs regardless of how they pay for their energy. |
| 340 | MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NATIONAL THERAPY CENTRES | 21:11:07 |
| Mr James Gray | | Dr Ian Gibson | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Margaret Moran | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Chris McCafferty |
| That this House praises Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres (MSNTCs) which offer invaluable assistance to thousands of MS sufferers and their families in England and Wales by providing a wide range of drug-free symptom management therapies, advice and support; notes that MSNTCs are non-profit-making charities which raise about £6 million annually, which is used entirely to meet their cost; is concerned at the Healthcare Commission's decision to impose charges for inspection of MSNTCs; further notes that these fees will have a very serious impact, making MSNTCs the only non-profit-making bodies charged these fees; further notes that Welsh MSNTCs are exempt from charges; and calls on the Government to review the Healthcare Commission's decision on inspection charges. |
| 341 | MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NURSES | 21:11:07 |
| Mr James Gray | | Dr Ian Gibson | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink |
| | Mr Eric Martlew | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House believes that multiple sclerosis (MS) nurses provide a vital range of specialist services that are not available elsewhere; notes that the MS Society fears that a quarter of specialist posts may be at risk, despite the Government's long-standing commitment to fund their posts and recognises the financial savings they provide to the NHS; and calls upon the Government to do more to renew its original commitment to the role MS nurses play for the 85,000 people living with multiple sclerosis. |
| 342 | CHILDHOOD MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS | 21:11:07 |
| Mr James Gray | | Dr Ian Gibson | | Mr John Baron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George | | Mr Lee Scott |
| | Mr Eric Martlew | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House believes that the current understanding of childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) among health professionals is too low and that some are unaware that the condition can occur in children at all; notes that disease modifying therapies are not automatically available to children with MS through the NHS and that there are few specialist services; further notes that childhood MS can have a huge impact on the educational, social and economic outcomes for children living with the condition; and commends the MS Society for its work to improve the care and support available to children with MS and their families. |
| 343 | RELEASE OF LAND FOR NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS | 21:11:07 |
| Mr Clive Betts | | Mr David Drew | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Dr Ian Gibson | | John Battle | | Mr Edward Davey |
| That this House recognises the urgent need to address the shortage of homes in this country; recognises the economic and social consequences of unaffordable housing, particularly for first-time buyers; notes that annual land supply for new development fell by seven per cent. between 1997 and 2003; welcomes the Government's commitment to increasing housing supply by three million homes by 2020; applauds the Unlock the Land campaign by Housebuilder magazine, calling for more land to be released for new housing developments; and calls on the Government to ensure that the planning system is used constructively and speedily to release more land to provide the homes necessary to meet the needs of people throughout the UK. |
| 344 | CHAIR OF CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE | 21:11:07 |
| Mr John Gummer | | Mr Michael Meacher | | Mr Nick Hurd | | Dr Vincent Cable | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George |
| That this House welcomes the Government's declared intention to announce the Chair of the Climate Change Committee in the very near future; urges it to set up a shadow committee during the progress of the Climate Change Bill so that preparatory work can be completed; and insists that the person appointed to the Chair will not be acceptable unless they meet the criteria of being credible to the Government but entirely independent of it, commanding confidence in both the business and environmental communities, having the authority which comes from a clear track record on climate change and being wholly acceptable to all sides of this House, including the opposition parties. |
| 345 | SUPERMARKET POWER | 21:11:07 |
| Andrew George | | Mr David Drew | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Colin Breed | | Jim Dowd | | Bob Russell |
| That this House welcomes the provisional conclusion of the Competition Commission's Groceries Market Inquiry that the way some supermarkets treat their suppliers transfers unexpected costs and excessive risk which is likely to affect their ability to invest and innovate and which could harm product quality, innovation and ultimately choice for consumers; but is concerned that the Competition Commission proposes a further weakening of appropriate planning controls on out-of-town supermarket developments; notes, in spite of perpetual inquiries into this sector by the competition authorities over the past decade, the oligopolistic nature of the grocery retail market whereby four big supermarkets run 80 per cent. of the trade and that, at the present rate of change, this will result in fewer, perhaps two or three, having more than 90 per cent. of trade within a decade; is aware that suppliers like British farmer co-operatives often face short-notice alterations to the usually unwritten contractual terms whereby they have to fund promotionals, pay for shelf space, meet excessive costs of supermarkets' favoured packaging, haulage, complaints, underwrite the supermarkets' margins and face late payment of bills amongst other practices; and calls upon the Government to support the Competition Commission's finding in respect of suppliers and to assist in the drawing up of a new supermarket code of practice backed by a rigorous and proactive inspection regime to give suppliers and consumers the reasonable protection and reassurance they both need and deserve. |
| 346 | DORMANT ACCOUNTS | 21:11:07 |
| Mr Martyn Jones | | Mr David Amess | | Bob Russell | | Mr David Clelland | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Kevan Jones |
| That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to legislate on the issue of dormant bank accounts and its intention to use the funds from dormant bank accounts for the public good; further welcomes the Government's resolve to ensure that all owners of dormant accounts are legally entitled to redeem their money at any time; notes that all other nations where dormant account legislation has been successfully implemented have used mandatory and regulated frameworks; observes that the Eleventh Report of the Treasury Committee states that, should the Government opt for a voluntary framework it is recommended that the forthcoming legislation be prepared so as to include `reserve powers for Ministers to establish a compulsory scheme at a later date without recourse to further primary legislation, should a voluntary scheme prove unsuccessful'; and, noting frameworks from the US and Canada, urges the Government to consider a wide variety of options regarding the time period for dormancy status including a sliding-scale based upon the nature of the account in question. |
| 348 | INDEPENDENT LIVING AND THE OUR LIVES, OUR CHOICES CAMPAIGN | 21:11:07 |
| Roger Berry | | Peter Bottomley | | Danny Alexander | | Mr Mike Weir | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George |
| That this House welcomes the Our Lives, Our Choices, coalition campaign for a social care system based on entitlements to independent living for disabled people, older people and their families; notes with concern rising eligibility thresholds for accessing social care which are causing increasing levels of hardship, ill-health and exclusion; further notes research by the Office for Disability Issues highlighting the waste and inefficiency in the care system and the long-term economic benefits of independent living-type support; believes the reforms contained in the Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill are a means of delivering real choice and control for people needing support, safeguarding the future well-being of children and families, promoting dignity for older people, and better supporting gender equality; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to stem the crisis and commit to bringing forward independent living legislation within this Parliament. |
| 351 | FORMER BRITISH DETAINEES IN SAUDI ARABIA | 21:11:07 |
| Mrs Linda Riordan | | John McDonnell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Marsha Singh | | Chris McCafferty |
| That this House believes that James Lee, Sandy Mitchell, Dr William Samson and Les Walker were tortured into falsely confessing to the murder of Christopher Rodway by the Saudi Arabian authorities and were wrongly convicted of the crime in 2001; notes that Amnesty International has reported that `justice cannot be done nor seen to be done' in Saudi Arabia; is concerned that the four men have struggled to find full-time employment because of their murder convictions; strongly regrets that the UK Government backed the Saudi regime in the House of Lords by arguing that its officials were protected by state immunity while simultaneously claiming that it `condemns torture in all its forms and works to eradicate it wherever it occurs'; firmly believes that the UK Government has a duty to defend its citizens when they have been mistreated by a foreign dictatorship which has such a blatant disregard for human rights; and calls upon the Government to support moves to clear the names of the four men. |
| 353 | HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS AND THE LOSS OF CHILD BENEFIT DATA | 21:11:07 |
| John McDonnell | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Neil Gerrard |
| That this House expresses its concern for those whose personal details have been mislaid by the loss of two compact discs containing child benefit data from HM Revenue and Customs; notes that since the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise the Government has cut 13,000 staff and has announced that another 12,500 jobs will go by 2011; further notes that it was a privatised postal contractor, TNT, that lost the discs containing confidential data; and therefore urges the Government to meet the Public and Commercial Services Union to discuss as a matter of urgency the measures which need to be put in place to ensure that the Department has sufficient staffing resources and appropriate management systems. |
| 354 | RAPE VICTIMS IN SAUDI ARABIA | 21:11:07 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Mr Neil Gerrard | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Ms Katy Clark |
| | Keith Vaz | Mr Mike Weir | John Hemming |
| That this House is appalled that a 19 year old victim of gang rape has been sentenced to 200 lashes by Qatif General Court in Saudi Arabia; notes that her sentence was doubled because she spoke to the media; further notes that after representing her Abdulrahman Al-leikeim had his attorney's licence revoked; and therefore calls upon the Foreign Secretary to make the strongest possible representations to the Saudi Arabian Government over this grotesque abuse of women's rights. |
| 355 | CHILD MAINTENANCE AND ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION | 21:11:07 |
| John McDonnell | | Mr John Leech | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Neil Gerrard |
| That this House supports the Government's aim to eradicate child poverty and believes that sufficient resources and investment must be available to the new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC), the new non-departmental public body (NDPB) which is to replace the Child Support Agency (CSA) if child poverty reduction targets for 2010 are to be met; notes that although many parents are capable of making their own child maintenance arrangements this is not always the case and many individuals cannot, or will not, make such arrangements without CSA intervention; welcomes the tributes paid to the hard work of CSA staff in improving the Agency's performance by successive Secretaries of State and hon. Members; further believes that staff in CMEC should continue to have civil service status, as they have in other NDPBs, such as the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and the Health and Safety Executive, and deserve a clear commitment that pensions, compensation and access to civil service jobs will be protected; and further believes that CMEC should be retained as an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions with accountability for the new organisation through a Minister rather than the Commissioner. |
| 356 | KHALED AL-MUDALLAL AND THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION | 21:11:07 |
| Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | Ms Karen Buck | | Richard Burden | | Mr Neil Gerrard | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mark Williams | Philip Davies | John Hemming | | | Clare Short | Jim Dowd |
| That this House is concerned at the situation facing Bradford University student Khaled Al-Mudallal who has been detained in Gaza since June 2007 as a result of restrictions on his movement imposed by Israeli authorities; notes that, according to Israeli human rights organisation Gisha, Mr Al-Mudallal is one of an estimated 670 students who have visas and places to study outside Gaza but have been prevented from leaving; further notes that Gisha is legally challenging the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on Mr Al-Mudallal, and has pointed out `that Mr Al-Mudallal has not been able to leave Gaza, not because he has chosen not to, but because he is prevented from doing so'; recognises that Mr Al-Mudallal has a British residency permit allowing him to stay in the UK to study until 2010; believes that Mr Al-Mudallal should be allowed back to Bradford to complete his degree in business and management; and urges the Government to make representations to the Israeli government to allow Khaled's right to leave Gaza to continue his education at the University of Bradford and for the rights of all Palestinian students to access education. |
| 357 | CHANNEL ISLANDS AND NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS | 21:11:07 |
| Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Brian Jenkins |
| That this House welcomes the sympathetic consideration given by Ministers to representations made by right hon. and hon. Members on behalf of the natural health products industry about problems with unfair and illegal competition from the Channel Islands; particularly welcomes the Government's considered view that the nutrition and health claim regulation, the food supplements directive and the medicines directive do apply to the Channel Islands under Protocol 3 of the Treaty of Accession; remains concerned that businesses from the Channel Islands continue to market directly to the United Kingdom mainland products which contain illegal ingredients or which are promoted using illegal claims thus jeopardising consumer safety; notes that in some cases such products also benefit from low value consignment relief and avoid liability for value added tax, seriously undermining the competitiveness of responsible UK suppliers; encourages Ministers to remain actively engaged in addressing these issues; and calls upon the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the Food Standards Agency, Royal Mail, the Advertising Standards Authority, the Direct Marketing Association and trading standards officers to take urgent enforcement action and to continue to engage with the authorities in the Channel Islands to secure the effective implementation of the legislation without further delay. |
| 358 | OXFORD UNION AND BRITISH NATIONAL PARTY | 21:11:07 |
| Martin Salter | | Jon Cruddas | | Frank Dobson | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Khalid Mahmood |
| That this House supports the call by the right hon. Member for Oxford East for the Oxford Union to retract its invitation to Nick Griffin, the British National Party leader, and the Holocaust denier, David Irving, to address the Union; applauds the decision of the hon. Members for the Rhondda, Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Rotherham, Ealing North and others to withdraw from speaking engagements in protest at the decision of the Union President and former Conservative future Chairman, Luke Tryl, to provide a platform for racists and anti-Semites despite widespread objections from present and former members of the Oxford Union and calls on other hon. Members, including the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon, to do the same; notes the threats from far-right groups to target any anti-racist demonstrators; and calls upon the Conservative Party leader and the acting Liberal Democrat leader to make their views known on the issue. |
| 359 | PROTECTION OF REEFS IN LYME BAY | 22:11:07 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Robert Key |
| That this House welcomes the current Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs public consultation on measures to protect the marine biodiversity of reefs in Lyme Bay; recognises that these habitats are of national, if not international, conservation importance and can support a range of sustainable economic activities, including potting, sports diving and sea angling, providing a significant return to local businesses; further recognises that the needs of wildlife and of these local businesses are threatened by scallop dredging which slowly destroys the habitats on which they all depend, for less than half the return from the same area; believes that the protection of the Lyme Bay reefs is urgently required on environmental and economic grounds; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce statutory protection for the entire 60 square miles of the Lyme Bay reefs, which constitutes less than 10 per cent. of the whole of Lyme Bay. |
| 360 | CHILD EMPLOYMENT | 22:11:07 |
| Annette Brooke | | Stephen Williams | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Roger Williams | | Simon Hughes |
| | Mark Williams | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean |
| That this House notes that there are over 200 pieces of legislation covering children in employment, dating back as far as 1933; recognises that part-time jobs should be an excellent way for young people to learn new skills and gain valuable experience; notes that there are wide variations in local authorities' approaches to the issuing of work permits; expresses concern that the number of children injured at work has doubled in the last four years; further notes that outdated legislation may be prohibiting some children from taking on worthwhile job opportunities; and calls for an urgent review of the current legislation and the issuing of up-to-date guidelines. |
| 361 | CHLAMYDIA SCREENING FOR MEN | 22:11:07 |
| Dr Howard Stoate | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | David Taylor | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Chris McCafferty |
| | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House congratulates the Men's Health Forum for its campaign to raise levels of chlamydia screening amongst men; welcomes the National Chlamydia Screening Programme's publication of the Men Too strategy to support equitable access to chlamydia screening for men within the programme; notes that in 2006-07 only 21 per cent. of those screened under the programme were men; believes that it is vital to screen more men if chlamydia is to be brought under control and both men and women's reproductive health improved; further believes such screening will communicate that sexual health is a responsibility shared by men and women; and calls on the National Chlamydia Screening Programme to continue to work with the Men's Health Forum and other stakeholders to implement its strategy and ensure that men's sexual health is treated with the seriousness it deserves. |
| 362 | WORLD CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) DAY 2007 | 22:11:07 |
| Dr Howard Stoate | | Sandra Gidley | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Norman Lamb | | Mrs Sharon Hodgson |
| | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House supports World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day on 14th November 2007, which aims to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; regrets that COPD is the UK's fifth biggest killer, causing the deaths of more people than breast and prostate cancer combined in England and Wales; further regrets that an estimated 2.8 million people in this country have COPD, but don't know it; welcomes the British Lung Foundation report Invisible Lives which identifies the areas of the country where healthcare services face the biggest challenge from COPD, highlighting Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Liverpool, Hull and Sunderland as the top five COPD hotspots; welcomes the development of the National Service Framework for COPD; and supports calls from the British Lung Foundation for the NHS to carry out targeted health campaigns in these hotspot areas and to implement best practice guidelines for COPD services as soon as possible in order that people living with COPD can access the best quality treatment and care at the earliest opportuinty. |
| 363 | RECOGNITION OF MENTAL HEALTH CARERS | 22:11:07 |
| Dr Doug Naysmith | | Dr Richard Taylor | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Robert Syms | | Sandra Gidley | | Roger Berry |
| | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams | | | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House supports the mental health charity Rethink in recognising the unique difficulties faced by the carers of those with a severe mental illness, particularly around information sharing and involvement in care planning; notes with concern that the carers of people with a severe mental illness are more likely to report a lack of understanding of their caring role; believes that mental health carers have the right to share information with, and be listened to by, health professionals; views the 2007 review of the Prime Minister's Carer's Strategy as an opportunity to recognise the vital contribution made by mental health carers; and calls upon the Government to ensure that those needs are adequately reflected. |
| 364 | PALESTINIAN PRISONERS | 22:11:07 |
| Ann McKechin | | Roger Berry | | Richard Burden | | Bob Russell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mark Williams | Mr Mike Weir | John Hemming | | | Clare Short | Jim Dowd | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House calls for the release of all illegally held prisoners in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; notes that Israel has released some Palestinian prisoners and has this week agreed to release a further 450 prisoners; however expresses concern that there are around 10,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and detention centres; notes that of the prisoners, over 300 are children, 96 are women and 840 are administrative detainees held without charge or trial for indefinite periods of time; abhors the continued detention of some 40 Palestinian Legislative Council Members since the Hamas election victory in 2006; further notes that according to the UN, the Palestinians are among the most highly incarcerated population in the world; is alarmed at the on-going accounts of violations of the right to family visits, the right to worship, the right to receive correspondence, the right to humane conditions of detention and transfer, to adequate food and medical care, and the right to a fair public trial; further notes that such violations constitute a breach of the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions; believes that the issue of Palestinian prisoners constitutes a running sore fuelling the conflict; and calls on the UK Government to apply political pressure to Israel to end its decades-long practice of arbitrary arrests and detention, in particular of democratically elected parliamentarians. |
| 365 | POST OFFICE CLOSURES IN LEICESTER SOUTH | 22:11:07 |
| Sir Peter Soulsby | | David Taylor | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr Rudi Vis |
| That this House calls on Post Office Ltd to reconsider the proposed closure of the Francis Street and Walnut Street post offices in Leicester South constituency; recognises that local post offices are an important part of the community; and believes that such closures will cause significant inconvenience and problems for those who rely on local post offices to access important services. |
| 366 | ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES | 22:11:07 |
| Richard Burden | | Malcolm Bruce | | Sir Robert Smith | | Ann McKechin | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell |
| | Mark Williams | Andrew George | Mr Mike Weir | | | John Hemming | Clare Short | Jim Dowd | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House calls for a complete freeze on all Israeli settlement activity in the Occupied Territories; welcomes the Israeli announcement to partially freeze settlement construction prior to the Annapolis meeting; however, notes that despite the transfer of Israeli civilians into the Occupied Territories being illegal under international law, the Israeli settler population in the West Bank has grown steadily by around 5.5 per cent. each year to a total of 450,000; acknowledges that this is significantly higher than the population growth rate inside Israel (1.8 per cent.); further notes that Israel has failed to take any action to dismantle the 106 outposts which it accepts are unauthorised; calls on the Government to urge Israel to immediately and permanently cease all settlement expansion in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights, including construction for so-called natural growth and the construction of infrastructure supporting the settlements, bypass roads and the barrier, and the provision of Government subsidies and other incentives for settlers; regards with serious concern the devastating impact on the Palestinians' freedom of movement caused by the settlements which dissect the West Bank into fragmented enclaves; and considers that the settlements are a serious threat to a viable independent Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution. |
| 367 | ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE AND MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS | 22:11:07 |
| Andrew Gwynne [R] | | Mrs Louise Ellman [R] | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Siôn Simon | | Mrs Sharon Hodgson |
| | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean |
| That this House fully supports recent efforts being made by Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas ahead of the forthcoming conference in Annapolis; commends those taking the bold and difficult steps necessary for finding a negotiated resolution to the conflict in the Middle East; congratulates the UK Government and the international community for encouraging these positive developments and actively engaging in the process; welcomes the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories and his efforts, on behalf of the British Government, to meet and work with those people who seek a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict; and believes that Annapolis presents a great opportunity to reinvigorate the peace process, encourage future negotiations, see a return to the Road Map and lead to the creation of two states for two peoples and a viable Palestine living side by side in peace with a safe and secure Israel. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 368 | INVESTMENT IN COUNCIL HOUSING | 22:11:07 |
| Mr Austin Mitchell | | Paul Holmes | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Frank Dobson | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr David Chaytor | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House welcomes the Government's new commitment to tackle housing needs; believes that this must include a first-class council housing sector providing secure tenancies, with lower rents and charges and a landlord whom tenants can hold to account as an alternative to ownership and the private housing market and that to achieve this Government must introduce changes to local authority housing finance to enable all local authorities to bring their existing homes up to modern standards, start a new council house building programme and maintain existing and new council housing as first-class housing in years to come; and actively opposes both the stigmatisation of council housing as housing of last resort and proposals to means test or time limit secure tenancies so that local authorities can respect the choice of existing tenants who want to keep the council as their landlord and get their homes and estates improved, house the wide range of people on council housing waiting lists and so return council estates to the mixed communities they were before shortage distorted allocations policies and concentrated deprivation. |
| 370 | SUDAN COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT | 22:11:07 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Andrew Mitchell | | Lynne Featherstone | | Mr David Lidington | | John Barrett | | Hugh Bayley |
| | Mr Mike Weir | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House notes that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan is the cornerstone of sustainable peace in Sudan; warns that the agreement is in danger of collapse; notes with concern the current standoff between the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement over the implementation of the agreement; expresses dismay at the recent mobilisation of armed forces at the borders between southern and northern Sudan; calls on both parties to implement in full the agreement that they have signed; urges the Government and the wider international community to immediately engage in resolving disputes, particularly over the status of the Abyei region, transparency in wealth sharing, redeployment of armed forces, the national census and elections; and strongly affirms that a return to war is unacceptable. |
| 371 | SUSTAINABLE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT FOR DARFUR | 22:11:07 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Mark Lancaster | | Lynne Featherstone | | Robert Key | | Andrew George | | Mr David Lidington |
| | Mr Mike Weir | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams | Dr Doug Naysmith |
| That this House welcomes the first phase of the AU-UN Darfur peace talks; underlines the importance of a political solution to the situation in Darfur; notes that the talks are hindered by rebel fragmentation and represent the beginning of a rolling process; therefore urges the international community to continue to work towards greater unity among opposition movements to enable an inclusive second phase of negotiations and work with all parties to find forums conducive to negotiations by all; argues that it is essential for all stakeholders, including Arab communities, to be represented at the talks if peace is to be sustained; and notes this requires increased efforts on civil society inclusion, continued UK support for Darfur-Darfur dialogue, improved communication and reporting mechanisms and an enhanced capacity within the Joint Mediation Support Team. |
| 372 | ASSAULTS ON NHS STAFF | 22:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley |
| | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes with alarm the number of NHS staff who are subject to physical assault by patients and relatives of patients; recognises the excellent service provided by NHS staff who are dedicated to providing patients with the highest possible level of care for the benefit of the public; deplores any attack or assault on NHS employees who deserve the greatest respect; and calls on the Government to take a zero tolerance stance in order to protect doctors, nurses and other NHS staff. |
| 373 | CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARDS | 22:11:07 |
| Malcolm Bruce | | Richard Burden | | John Barrett | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Colin Breed | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | Mark Williams | John Hemming | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes the recent Which? and Charities Advisory Trust report on charity Christmas cards which determined in a survey of all the main high street shops offering charity Christmas cards that on average less than 10 per cent. of the purchase price is actually donated to the designated charity with some shops offering as little as 4 per cent.; believes that after expenses and deductions, at least 10 per cent. should be donated to charity in order to be labelled a charity card; therefore calls on the Government to work with the retail industry in drawing up a code of practice for the labelling of charity Christmas cards; and urges retailers not to exploit the public and charities during the season of goodwill. |
| 376 | TORTURED ASYLUM SEEKERS | 26:11:07 |
| Tim Farron | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House expresses concern at the detention of asylum seekers who have been tortured; and calls upon the Home Department to reform the asylum system to allow new arrivals in detention with a history of torture to be quickly identified and released, to reaffirm its commitment to detain asylum seekers who have been tortured only in `exceptional circumstances' to introduce pre-screening medical checks to identify torture survivors before they are detained and to end the present standard practice of detaining unsuccessful asylum applicants together with foreign national prisoners facing deportation. |
| 377 | GIRLS SHOUT OUT CAMPAIGN | 26:11:07 |
| Anne Main | | Mrs Nadine Dorries | | Mrs Eleanor Laing | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Jim Devine |
| | Mrs Betty Williams | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House congratulates Girlguiding UK on its Girls Shout Out survey of the opinions of girls and young women on a range of topics; expresses concern that results demonstrate that many members have worrying opinions relating to body image; and urges the Government to be mindful of these concerns when formulating future policy. |
| 378 | MENTER A BUSNES | 26:11:07 |
| Adam Price | | Stephen Williams | | Dan Rogerson | | Mr Martin Caton | | Dr Alasdair McDonnell | | Mark Williams |
| That this House recognises the contribution made by the economic development company Menter a Busnes to developing enterprise in Wales since December 1989; congratulates it on its 18 years of developing innovative programmes to foster a more entrepreneurial culture, particularly amongst Welsh speakers; and joins this social enterprise in celebrating its achievements and in looking forward to its continued success in years to come. |
| 381 | HOME NATIONS FOOTBALL | 26:11:07 |
| Tim Farron | | Greg Mulholland | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Jim Devine | | Jim Dobbin |
| That this House is bitterly disappointed that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all failed to qualify for the 2008 European football championships; is utterly depressed at the prospect of the lack of British interest in that competition; calls upon the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reinstate the home internationals for the summer of 2008 in order to provide competitive international matches for British fans; and furthermore, with regard to England, urges the Football Association to appoint a manager of the calibre of Jose Mourinho to take charge of these and future matches. |
| As an Amendment to Tim Farron's proposed Motion (Home Nations Football): |
| Line 6, after `fans;', insert `recalls that the holders of the current Home Championship trophy, last awarded in 1984, are Northern Ireland;'. |
| 382 | DELAYS TO VAT REGISTRATION | 26:11:07 |
| Mr Alan Duncan | | Mr Mark Prisk | | Charles Hendry | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | | Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House notes that the current delay of up to four months for VAT registration is causing considerable problems to a number of businesses due to suppliers being unable to provide credit, imported goods being unable to be cleared and business customers refusing to pay invoices without VAT registration; further notes that the Government has said how important growing businesses are to the UK economy; is concerned to note that it is small firms who will continue to suffer without prompt and swift action; and calls upon the Government to resolve the computer and management failings at HM Revenue and Customs as quickly as possible. |
| Mr David Drew | | David Taylor | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Martin Caton | | Derek Conway |
| | Mr Mike Weir | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes the concern over the amount of genetically modified animal feed used in dairy and pig farming; acknowledges that concerns have been raised over labelling of products, such as milk and meat, as GM-free when the animals were reared using GM products; understands that the only food standard that guarantees non-GM involvement is organic; and calls on the Government to review food labelling criteria and introduce requirements to give consumers an informed choice between GM and GM-free foods. |
| 384 | GOLF WORLD CUP | 26:11:07 |
| Jim Sheridan | | Mr Russell Brown | | Miss Anne Begg | | Mr Jim Devine | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | John Robertson | Eric Joyce | Mr Brian H. Donohoe | | | Mr David Hamilton | Dr Gavin Strang | Mark Lazarowicz |
| That this House congratulates Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren on winning the Golf World Cup. |
| 385 | LOOK SMART CAMPAIGN AND SMART METERING (No. 2) | 26:11:07 |
| David Taylor | | Lembit Öpik | | Dr Alan Whitehead | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Sir Robert Smith |
| | Norman Lamb | Ian Stewart | Mr David Chaytor | | | Mr Mike Weir | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House welcomes the launch of Look Smart, a campaign by energywatch, the Energy Retail Association and Utility Week; recognises that smart metering would put an end to estimated energy bills, give consumers accurate, understandable and up-to-date information on the energy they are using, remove the additional cost to service pre-payment meters and have a positive impact on fuel poverty and carbon emissions; notes that a national introduction of smart meters has broad support from the energy industry, consumer groups and environmental organisations; and calls on the Government to mandate the introduction of smart metering at the least possible cost to consumers, to fulfil the expectation made in the Energy White Paper that, within the next 10 years, all domestic energy customers will have smart meters. |
| 386 | ESTABLISHMENT OF CITIZENS' COUNCILS FOR THE REGULATION OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS | 26:11:07 |
| David Taylor | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Harry Cohen | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean |
| That this House recognises the urgency of the need for reform of regulatory structures for the health professions arising from the Bristol, Shipman, Ayling, Neal, Ledward, Kerr/Haslam and other inquiries; notes the crucial importance of strong patient voices in any new arrangements for patient protection and public safety; supports the contribution of the patient and public representatives involved in different work streams informing the relevant sections of the Health and Social Care Bill and future secondary legislation from 2007 to 2011; is concerned that the number of lay appointees to individual healthcare professional regulatory bodies will be reduced; recognises the difficulties that patient and public groups have in finding the resources to engage in detail with the complex and intricate processes of balancing professional and public interests in this context; believes that new Citizens' Councils should be established in each of the four countries of the UK to work alongside the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE); further believes that Citizens' Councils should be independent and funded from the public purse in order to explain and inform interested and diverse patient and public groups about the nature and significance of proposed changes to the system of professional healthcare regulation, carry out consultations and collate responses on a four country wide basis; and calls upon the Government to introduce Citizens' Councils to independently inform CHRE's strategic decision-making. |
| 387 | KAMLESH SHARMA AND THE SECRETARY GENERALSHIP OF THE COMMONWEALTH (No. 2) | 26:11:07 |
| Keith Vaz | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Jim Devine | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House welcomes the election of Kamlesh Sharma, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, as the next Commonwealth Secretary General; notes that this is the first time that an Indian has held this position; acknowledges that this represents a real step forward for India, taking it to the very forefront of global decision-making; and further notes the excellent work that Mr Sharma has done to enhance links between Commonwealth nations. |
| 388 | BLACK COUNTRY AS AN URBAN PARK | 26:11:07 |
| Lynda Waltho | | Mr Adrian Bailey | | Mr John Spellar | | Mrs Janet Dean | | Charlotte Atkins | | Mr Ian Austin |
| That this House congratulates the Black Country Consortium in securing one of the four places on the final shortlist for The Black Country as an Urban Park project as part of the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks Programme; acknowledges and recognises that this ambitious project will regenerate the Black Country over the next 30 years, will enrich the lives of those that live, work and play in the region, will open more green space and bolster the local economy and that, if successful, £50 million will transform the lives of one million people by investing money into Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve, local canal networks, creating Green Bridge Park, one of the largest urban spaces in the region, and will open up 3,700 acres of green space; further notes that, in addition this will involve the local community, benefiting 300,000 children, 3,000 local groups, 60,000 volunteer opportunities and 500 local projects; appreciates the work put into the application; and wishes the Black Country as an Urban Park every success. |
| 389 | BEST DEPARTMENT STORE OF THE YEAR AWARD 2007 AND INDEPENDENT RETAIL SHOPS | 26:11:07 |
| Bob Russell | | Harry Cohen | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Mike Hancock | | David Lepper | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House congratulates Williams and Griffin department store, Colchester, on winning the title of best department store of the year in the Drapers Awards for 2007; notes that in the process it beat stores such as Harrods and John Lewis; further notes that this follows an earlier success in 2005 when Williams and Griffin won the award for being the best independent store in the UK; pays tribute to all independent stores which, in an era of growing dominance by chains of national retail establishments with no association with, nor commitment to, local communities, strive to provide a distinctive local retail identity; and calls on the Government to investigate what action can be taken, in the planning process and in other ways, to encourage localised diversity as epitomised by Williams and Griffin department store and prevent the uniformity of clone town Britain. |
| 390 | AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY AND THE IRAQI LABOUR MOVEMENT | 26:11:07 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Mr Alan Meale | | Lynne Jones | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Dr Alasdair McDonnell | | Jim Dobbin |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House warmly congratulates the Australian Labor Party and its leader Kevin Rudd on a stunning election victory; wishes the Labor Party the very best in its goals of social justice; and hopes for its support in seeking to provide moral assistance and solidarity to the new Iraqi labour movement, not least its trade unions which are a beacon of non-sectarianism and part of wider Iraqi efforts to build a thriving, democratic and federal Iraq. |
| 391 | SAJJAD KARIM MEP AND THE RIGHT HON. MEMBER FOR WITNEY | 26:11:07 |
| Mr Gordon Prentice | | David Taylor | | David Heyes | | Mr Jim Devine | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House notes that the right hon. Member for Witney is delighted to welcome Mr Karim into the Conservative Party believing him to be a hard working MEP who has so much to offer; notes Mr Karim's statement that this was not a `snapshot decision' and that he had been thinking about it for some time; records that in April 2007 Mr Karim said that the Leader of the Opposition was trying to paint a glossy image of a gay-friendly party in the UK while desperately trying to get into bed with Poland's Cosmopolitan Law and Justice Party; in his blog of 9th June 2007 he hoped the British public would `see Chameleon Cameron for who he really is!!'; further notes that on 13th September 2007 he quoted approvingly Liberal Democrat policies to cut carbon emissions noting the `Tories do not have firm plans'; further notes his view of 27th April 2007 that Cameron's Tories were failing to inspire many rural areas let alone urban ones; and suggests the faith placed by the right hon. Member for Witney in Mr Karim may be misplaced. |
| 392 | BROADBAND ACCESS AND RURAL AREAS | 26:11:07 |
| Mrs Theresa May | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Lynne Jones | | Steve Webb | | Derek Conway |
| That this House notes the increasing importance of broadband communication technology; acknowledges that the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform states that 99 per cent. of British households can receive broadband services; yet further notes that many households in rural villages such as Waltham St. Lawrence are unable to access the internet using broadband connections; and calls on the Government and Ofcom to work with broadband suppliers to improve access to broadband and telecommunication services in rural areas. |
| 393 | LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR JOBSEEKERS | 26:11:07 |
| Hywel Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Stephen Williams | | Lynne Jones | | Dan Rogerson | | Dr Alasdair McDonnell |
| That this House supports the Government's intention to make English language training available for jobseekers; notes that in Wales an ability in both English and Welsh is increasingly an essential occupational qualification; and believes therefore that in Wales training in Welsh should be available to jobseekers on the same basis as training in English and that extra consequential funding should be made available to achieve this end. |
| 394 | ARSENAL LADIES FOOTBALL TEAM | 26:11:07 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Emily Thornberry | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Jim Devine | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House congratulates Arsenal Ladies on being awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Islington; congratulates them on being the most successful women's football team in Britain; further congratulates them on winning the womens FA Cup, League Cup, League and UEFA cup last season; and believes their success will inspire more women to take part in football. |
| 395 | CARDIAC ARRESTS IN SCHOOLS | 27:11:07 |
| Mr John Baron | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| | Dr Ian Gibson | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House congratulates SADS UK on organising, training and donating 17 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to schools in the UK; notes that a recent study by the American Heart Association shows that, on average, for every 111 schools, there is at least one school-based cardiac arrest each year; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward a strategy for including AEDs in all schools to help save lives. |
| 396 | TAKE TOURISM SERIOUSLY CAMPAIGN AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES | 27:11:07 |
| Mr Don Foster | | Norman Baker | | Tom Brake | | Andrew Stunell | | Steve Webb | | Nick Harvey |
| That this House supports the Tourism Alliance in its Take Tourism Seriously campaign; notes that tourism is worth £85 billion to the UK economy; further notes that tourism is one of the UK's largest industries, employing over two million people; expresses great concern that the Government has cut funding for VisitBritain over the last decade and most recently by £9 million over the next three years; believes that this is part of a larger picture of the downgrading of tourism's importance to national policy; and urges the Government not to squander the opportunities provided by the 2012 Olympic Games to leave behind a strong tourism legacy for the UK. |
| 397 | CARE FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS | 27:11:07 |
| Kerry McCarthy | | Mark Hunter | | Dr Howard Stoate | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Tony Lloyd | | Roger Berry |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House welcomes the fact that average life expectancy for cystic fibrosis patients has increased to over 30 years and that a child born today with cystic fibrosis can expect to live into their late forties; expresses concern that, despite medical advances, evidence suggests that unacceptable variations in the standard of care, support and treatment still exist; believes that all patients should be entitled to the best care, support and treatment; welcomes the recommendations of the Back the Kid panel of expert clinicians on the future of cystic fibrosis care; and calls on the Government to conduct an audit of cystic fibrosis services in order to plan for high-quality services for all cystic fibrosis patients in the future. |
| 400 | 8TH EU-INDIA SUMMIT, NEW DELHI | 27:11:07 |
| Keith Vaz | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Stephen Williams |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House supports the EU-India summit taking place on 30th November 2007 in New Delhi; believes that good relations with India are of great benefit to the United Kingdom as part of the European Union as well as to a rapidly modernising Indian economy and growing Indian market; hopes that productive discussions will take place on a variety of issues including helping to bring an end to the civil strife and bloodshed in Burma; supports the events surrounding the event including the EU Cultural Week and the Indian Business Summit; and hopes that this summit will further improve this important, mutually beneficial relationship. |
| 401 | IRAQI EMPLOYEES | 27:11:07 |
| Lynne Featherstone | | Peter Bottomley | | Stephen Williams | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| That this House recognises the courage of Iraqis who have worked alongside British troops and diplomats in southern Iraq, often saving British lives; notes that many such Iraqis have been targeted for murder by Iraqi militias in Basra, and that an unknown number have already been killed, whilst many others are in hiding; further recognises that many Iraqis who have worked for fewer than 12 months for the UK are threatened by death squads; and therefore calls upon the Prime Minister to meet the UK's moral obligations by offering resettlement to all Iraqis who are threatened with death for the "crime" of helping British troops and diplomats. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George |
| | Mark Williams | Mrs Betty Williams | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House recognises the importance of bridleways for horseriders to exercise in safety and enjoy the countryside; notes that many bridleways are in poor condition or are abused by people using motorised vehicles; and calls on the Government actively to promote the use of bridleways, to ensure that those who use bridleways inappropriately are fined, to look to extend the number of bridleways across the country and to ensure that existing bridleways are kept open and are well maintained for horseriders. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Lindsay Hoyle's proposed Motion (Bridleways): |
| Line 6, at end add `and cyclists.'. |
| 403 | ASSAULTS ON AMBULANCE CREWS | 27:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Stephen Williams |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Dr Ian Gibson | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House notes with alarm the number of assaults on paramedics in the UK; expresses deep concern that in 2006-07 there were 1,006 physical assaults against ambulance staff in England; recognises that ambulance staff are highly trained and dedicated individuals at the cutting edge of the NHS; and calls on the Government to adopt a zero tolerance approach to anyone who attacks ambulance staff whilst at the same time looking to provide all staff with stab vests in order to protect them from attacks. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Stephen Williams |
| | Mark Williams | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Chaytor | | | John Hemming | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes that while people enjoy the Christmas period many individuals and families will be left homeless; pays tribute to the work of organisations, such as Shelter and Help the Homeless, who support hundreds of thousands of people every year, supporting those who are homeless, campaigning to raise awareness of the root causes of homelessness and looking to tackle poor quality housing; and calls on the Government to work closely with these organisations to improve the quality of housing and make up for the lack of work done to reduce the incidence of homelessness and look to ensure that adequate housing standards are provided throughout the UK. |
| 405 | MUNCHAUSEN'S SYNDROME BY PROXY IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND | 27:11:07 |
| John Hemming | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | John Cummings |
| That this House notes that Fran Lyon and Marianne Key are emigrating to achieve security for a family life following false allegations of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy by medical professionals in the North East; further notes many other cases of false allegations and misconduct by the same professionals; regrets reports of incidents of explicit triumphalism by social workers who have prevented parents seeing their children at Christmas; and calls for the law to be changed so that providing evidence of misbehaviour by professionals to regulatory bodies is never contempt of court. |
| 407 | HINDU TEMPLES IN MALAYSIA | 27:11:07 |
| Stephen Pound | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Andrew George | | Keith Vaz | | Bob Russell | | Dr Rudi Vis |
| | Mark Williams | John Hemming | Peter Luff | | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes with grave concern the stated intention of the government of Malaysia to demolish 79 Hindu temples; and calls upon the UK Government to make the strongest possible representations to the Malaysian government both to cease the programme of demolition and to allow this legitimate voice of protest to be heard without physical interference. |
| 408 | CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES IN HARROGATE AND KNARESBOROUGH | 27:11:07 |
| Mr Phil Willis | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Dr Alasdair McDonnell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House notes with concern and astonishment the announcement of the planned closure of the Cold Bath Road, High Harrogate, Leeds Road and Stockwell Knaresborough branches of the Post Office in Harrogate and Knaresborough; believes that post offices offer a vital service to the community; further believes that the closures are likely to have a particularly negative impact on elderly and disabled members of the community who rely on the Post Office for a range of vital services and that these closures could result in the degradation of the local communities; and is deeply disturbed that the promises made by the Post Office during the 2003-04 closure programme appear to have been abandoned. |
| 409 | WORLD AIDS DAY 2007 CAMPAIGN | 27:11:07 |
| Mr Andrew Mitchell | | Mr Andrew Lansley | | Nick Herbert | | Mr Jeremy Hunt | | Dr Liam Fox | | Mr Alan Duncan |
| | Mark Williams | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Evennett | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Jenny Willott | Robert Key | | | Dr Ian Gibson | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes that on World AIDS Day, 1st December 2007, some 33 million people remain directly affected by HIV/AIDS; calls for the UK Government and the international community to continue efforts to achieve the goal of universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010; believes these efforts should be guided as far as possible by detailed annual targets at country level so as to hold governments in both rich and poor countries to account for delivering on their promises; reaffirms the central importance of prevention to halting the spread of the virus and calls for prevention to be central to international efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS; believes that efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS should as far as possible act to strengthen basic healthcare systems so as to aid the fight against other killer diseases such as malaria, and common co-infections such as tuberculosis; celebrates the role of many private businesses operating in poor countries in helping to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS; and calls for governments, businesses and voluntary organisations to work together in tackling the epidemic. |
| Graham Stringer | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mr Alan Meale | | Lynne Jones | | Jim Dobbin | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Gordon Prentice | Mr David Chaytor | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House notes the provisions of the Local Transport Bill which offer the prospect of more fully empowered locally accountable transport authorities better able to tackle traffic congestion, transform bus services and deliver fully integrated transport networks; but calls for provisions on buses to be strengthened to make the franchising of bus networks a more realistic option for local transport authorities through local determination of franchising schemes and by providing better protection for the workforce, for passengers and for depots during the transition to franchising to prevent existing unregulated monopoly operators from carrying out their threats to undermine franchising proposals. |
| 412 | POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNTS | 27:11:07 |
| Mr David Drew | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Gordon Prentice | | | John Cummings | Mr Mike Weir | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House, in the light of the disastrous loss of data discs containing child benefit details, urges the Government to re-assess the value of the Post Office Card Account (POCA) as an alternative means of paying pensions and child benefit direct into bank accounts; and urges recipients to realise that POCAs are a safer, better and more cost-effective method of receiving payments. |
| 413 | LIFEBLOOD THROMBOSIS CHARITY | 27:11:07 |
| John Smith | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Mark Williams | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House congratulates Lifeblood, the thrombosis charity, on the tireless campaigning it has undertaken over the past five years in raising the profile of thrombosis amongst politicians and decision-makers whilst providing vital information and support to patients and their families on all areas of thrombosis and its related conditions; recognises that over 25,000 people die each year from venous thromboembolism (VTE) or blood clots, contracted in hospital, which is many times the number of deaths per year from hospital-acquired infections; notes that many of the deaths from VTE are preventable with safe and cost-effective methods of prevention available; is concerned that hospitals are not following the Chief Medical Officer's best practice recommendations published in April; and calls on the Government to ensure that all patients, both medical and surgical, who are admitted to hospital undergo a mandatory documented risk assessment for venous thrombosis and that this is audited to ensure implementation of this life-saving measure. |
| 414 | DETENTION OF PALESTINIAN LEGISLATORS | 27:11:07 |
| Dr Phyllis Starkey | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | David Lepper | | Mr Alan Meale | | Dr Alasdair McDonnell |
| | Mark Williams | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Dr Desmond Turner | | | Mr David Chaytor | Dr Ian Gibson | John Cummings | | | Mr Mike Weir | John Hemming | Jim Dowd | | | Mrs Janet Dean |
| That this House notes with increasing disquiet the continuing detention without trial of many democratically elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council by Israel including the seizures of Hatim Qafisheh on 6th November 2007 and Maryam Saleh and Khalid Tafish on 11th November 2007 and the further extension of arrest without charge of the Minister of Public Works, Abder-Rahman Zeidan on 26th November 2007; considers democracy to be the most powerful response to those who hold that there is a military solution to the conflict; further considers that the unreasonable detention of so many Palestinian legislators perpetuates and deepens the conflict by indicating to Palestinians that they have little or nothing to gain from following the political path; and calls upon the Government to demand of Israel that these legislators be released without delay. |
| 415 | HISTORIC COUNTIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM | 27:11:07 |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Derek Conway | | Ann Winterton | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Tim Loughton |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Peter Luff |
| That this House recognises that the historic counties of the United Kingdom are an important part of the history, geography and cultural life of the nation; acknowledges that the United Kingdom requires a fixed popular geographical framework which is divorced from the ever-changing local government administrative boundaries, instead being rooted in history, public understanding and commonly held notions of community and identity; believes that the historic counties are the only choice for such a geographical framework; and therefore calls upon the Government to direct the Ordnance Survey properly to mark the boundaries of the historic counties on its maps, to produce regulations which will ensure that the boundaries of all the historic counties are clearly marked by appropriate boundary signs at places where they cross major highways, to amend local government terminology so that the word `county', as it applies to local government areas, is amended to the more appropriate phrase `administrative county', and to return the ceremonial office of Lord Lieutenant to the areas of the historic counties. |
| 416 | MOBILE TERMINATION RATES | 28:11:07 |
| John Robertson | | Jim Sheridan | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Sandra Osborne | | Mr Eric Illsley | | Paul Holmes |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Lynne Jones | Derek Conway |
| That this House believes that mobile consumers in the UK face unnecessarily high call costs and receive complicated price plans which often discourage use; notes that mobile network operators charge each other substantial wholesale prices called Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs); believes the current system therefore hinders competition and stifles innovation; welcomes the fact that one UK mobile operator, 3, has publicly stated its willingness to cease charging MTRs; and calls on all other mobile operators to do likewise and create an MTR-free zone between mobile operators for the benefit of all UK consumers. |
| 417 | BOGUS CLOTHING COLLECTION COMPANIES | 28:11:07 |
| Jo Swinson | | Andrew Stunell | | Stephen Williams | | Frank Dobson | | Julie Morgan | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Gordon Prentice | Robert Key | John Cummings | | | Philip Davies | Lynne Jones | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Derek Conway | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House condemns the practice of bogus clothing collection companies that use misleading leaflets to solicit clothing donations under the pretence of benevolent purposes but sell the clothes for financial gain; further condemns the theft of charitable donations from doorsteps by organised criminal gangs in connection with these bogus companies; notes with concern the losses to the charitable sector of £3 million per year as estimated by the Association of Charity Shops caused by these actions; and calls for steps to be taken to raise public awareness of these activities, stronger action to prevent bogus companies operating outside the law and further steps to help the police tackle donation theft, particularly concerning the rules on ownership of charitable donations. |
| 418 | LANCASHIRE EVENING TELEGRAPH'S WE'RE BACKING DARWEN CAMPAIGN | 28:11:07 |
| Janet Anderson | | Mr Greg Pope | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Gordon Prentice |
| That this House congratulates the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on its We're Backing Darwen campaign; considers that the people of Darwen deserve this recognition of their incomparable community spirit; and looks forward to this proud and independent town being granted its own town council. |
| 419 | TALLINN EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Gordon Marsden | | Christine Russell | | John Austin | | Paul Flynn | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Lembit Öpik | Mr Martin Caton | | | Derek Conway |
| That this House congratulates the people and government of Estonia on securing for Tallinn the status of a European Capital of Culture for 2011; welcomes this accolade for a city which already enjoys UNESCO World Heritage Site status and whose historic core and architectural riches already attract many visitors from EU countries, including the United Kingdom; and hopes that Tallinn's programme of activities up to and including the Capital of Culture festivities will encourage tens of thousands more British visitors to go to Estonia and experience its rich cultural and national heritage while observing the enormous strides in prosperity and regeneration Estonia has made since resuming its independence in 1991. |
| 420 | CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT FOR COASTAL AND SEASIDE TOWNS | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Gordon Marsden | | Chris Ruane | | Mr Anthony Wright | | David Lepper | | Mrs Joan Humble | | Sandra Osborne |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Gordon Prentice | | | Dr Ian Gibson | Mr Martin Caton | Lynne Jones | | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| That this House congratulates the Communities and Local Government Select Committee for its report on Coastal Towns; welcomes the Government's recent second response to the report's recommendations which recognises the key problems faced by local towns; notes the importance of the Government's commitment to establish a cross-departmental working group on coastal towns; recognises the importance of involving regional development agencies, the British Urban Regeneration Association and the British Resorts and Destinations Association in future policymaking for coastal towns; and further notes the commitment of the Department for Work and Pensions to examine the employment situation in coastal towns. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Gordon Marsden's proposed Motion (Cross-Departmental Support for Coastal and Seaside Towns): |
| Line 9, at end add '; and now calls on the Government to produce some tangible resources to support coastal resort economies after a decade of waiting for action.'. |
| 421 | REMPLOY COMPROMISE PROGRAMME | 28:11:07 |
| John McDonnell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr David Drew | | Dr Ian Gibson | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House urges the Government to adopt the Remploy Compromise Programme to ensure the successful future of Remploy in order to prevent the need for the proposed large scale programme of factory closures; welcomes the programme which includes a restructuring of the company, particularly management structures, to make it fit for purpose to exploit the opportunities for new business from local and national public procurement, the replacement of the board of directors with individuals with a proven track record of commitment to the core principles of Remploy as an employer of workers with disabilities and of operating effectively in a commercial environment, the immediate re-engagement within the National Trade Union Consortium for meaningful discussions on cost savings, the appointment of two trade union directors elected by the workforce and the engagement with local and national public bodies able to provide work for appointed employers such as Remploy through public procurement; and further calls for a full moratorium on any factory closures to give time for the Compromise Programme to take effect. |
| 422 | TAX TREATMENT OF PIGEON RACING | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Alan Beith | | Mr Michael Moore | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| | Mr David Drew | Mr Eric Martlew | John Cummings | | | Derek Conway |
| That this House considers that pigeon racing, which has been recognised as a sport for over a century and is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people, should be treated in the same way as other sports are by public bodies, such as HM Revenue and Customs, and should benefit from the tax reliefs available to sporting bodies. |
| 423 | MASS EXTINCTION OF AMPHIBIANS | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Charles Walker | | Mr Dai Davies | | Philip Davies | | Mr Mark Lancaster | | Mark Pritchard | | Mr Siôn Simon |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | Dr Desmond Turner | | | Dr Ian Gibson | John Cummings | Mr Martin Caton | | | Lynne Jones | Ann Winterton | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Derek Conway | Mrs Betty Williams | Mr David Anderson | | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | Mr Virendra Sharma | Albert Owen | | | Mr Nick Hurd | Mr Gordon Prentice | David Heyes | | | Phil Wilson | David T. C. Davies | Mr David Heath | | | Mr David Burrowes | Ms Katy Clark | Harry Cohen | | | Martin Salter | Mr John Grogan | John Bercow | | | Peter Luff | Mr Christopher Fraser |
| That this House registers its concern at the continuing decline of the planet's amphibian species which include frogs, toads, salamanders and caecilians; notes that after thriving for over 360 million years up to one half of all amphibians could disappear in our lifetime, an event that will be the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs; and, given the need to avert this environmental disaster, urges the Government to take the lead in promoting the conservation and preservation of the globally important habitats which sustain these wonderful amphibians and the many other creatures that share them. |
| 424 | SAJJAD KARIM MEP'S BLOG | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Gordon Prentice | | Lynne Jones | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| That this House records its astonishment that the Conservative MEP, Sajjad Karim, has stated that the blog entries critical of the right hon. Member for Witney and various comments hostile to the Conservatives which appeared over a period of time on Mr Karim's website were a result of a former employee who had acted on his behalf but without his permission; notes that Mr Karim claims that the aide has now been sacked, explaining that, like most politicians, he was reliant on the team around him but he had been let down on this occasion; and urges Mr Karim to name the former aide who betrayed him so injuriously. |
| 425 | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INTO GM CROPS | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Michael Meacher | | Alan Simpson | | Andrew George | | Angus Robertson | | Norman Baker | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr Gordon Prentice | Mr Martin Caton | | | Kelvin Hopkins | Mrs Janet Dean |
| That this House regrets the continuing attempts to silence or misrepresent scientists whose research indicates possible human health problems from GM crops, as in the case of Dr Irina Ermakova who was misled by the editor of Nature Biotechnology into submitting an article to the journal to be published under her name, with the article in fact published under the editor's name with criticisms by four well-known GM supporters not seen by Dr Ermakova prior to publication; deplores the continuing efforts by an employee of the Canadian Government, Shane Morris, to close down websites in the UK and Republic of Ireland which have, along with Dr Richard Jennings of Cambridge University, said that research which claimed that consumers prefer GM sweetcorn published by this employee and others and given an Award for Excellence, is a flagrant fraud; and calls on the Government Chief Scientist to protect the integrity and objectivity of science by reasserting the right of scientists to have their views published by journals without underhand interference by journal editors, and for the Chief Scientist to encourage journal editors to withdraw papers they have published which subsequently turn out to be grossly misleading or even fraudulent. |
| 426 | EU REFORM TREATY | 28:11:07 |
| Michael Connarty | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Greg Hands | | Ms Katy Clark | | Mr James Clappison | | Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews |
| | Mr David Drew | John Cummings | Philip Davies | | | Kelvin Hopkins | Ann Winterton | Derek Conway | | | Peter Luff | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House notes the recommendations from the European Scrutiny Committee of the House for a debate on the EU Reform Treaty before it is ratified; and calls for that debate to be arranged by the Government to allow the House to focus specifically on the Treaty. |
| As an Amendment to Michael Connarty's proposed Motion (EU Reform Treaty): |
| Line 2, leave out `ratified' and insert `signed'. |
| 427 | HOSPICE FUNDING | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr Gordon Prentice | Dr Brian Iddon | John Cummings | | | Mr Martin Caton | Kelvin Hopkins | Ann Winterton | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Derek Conway | Mrs Betty Williams | | | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House pays tribute to the work of hospices throughout the United Kingdom; recognises the excellent work carried out by staff and volunteers to provide the highest quality of care and the dedication and time people give to raising the necessary funds in order that hospices can provide this first class service; welcomes the additional money from the Government for hospices to improve palliative care services as part of the NHS Plan; and calls on the Government to ensure that this funding is directed where it is needed and to increase the amount of funding to hospices in order to provide them with a long-term viable future. |
| 428 | ASSAULTS ON POLICE OFFICERS | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Paul Holmes | | Andrew George | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | John Cummings | | | Mr Martin Caton | Philip Davies | Kelvin Hopkins | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Derek Conway |
| That this House notes with concern the number of assaults on police officers in the UK; further notes that recent figures show that 60 assaults a day take place across the UK; pays tribute to the role played by the police who help to maintain the peace, fight crime and are often called upon to face dangerous and violent situations; and calls on the Government to work with the judiciary to ensure that a zero tolerance stance is adopted when dealing with those who assault police officers. |
| 429 | BRAZILIAN BEEF | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Ann Winterton | | Derek Conway |
| That this House notes with concern the risk of importing cattle from Brazil which may be infected with foot and mouth; highlights the insufficient tracking of livestock movements coupled with breaches of cattle identification regulations which fall short of EU standards; supports the National Farmers' Union in its demands that all Brazilian beef should be banned from being imported into the EU until the necessary standards are met; and calls on the Government to work with the EU in order to implement such a ban. |
| 430 | HOUSING (S.I., 2007, No. 3301) | 28:11:07 |
| Mr David Cameron | | Mr Eric Pickles | | Grant Shapps | | Mrs Jacqui Lait | | Alistair Burt | | Mr Patrick McLoughlin |
| That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., No. 3301) dated 22nd November 2007, a copy of which was laid before this House on 23rd November, be annulled. |
| Sandra Osborne | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House congratulates the Barony Trust on winning the public vote for funding from the People's Millions thus enabling their Pitheid Patter project to keep alive the story of the Barony Colliery and Ayrshire's mining tradition. |
| 432 | TUNE OUT TINNITUS CAMPAIGN | 28:11:07 |
| John Barrett | | Malcolm Bruce | | David Taylor | | Tom Levitt | | Roger Berry | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Gordon Prentice | Dr Ian Gibson | John Cummings | | | Mr Martin Caton | Andrew George | Philip Davies | | | Lynne Jones | Kelvin Hopkins | Ann Winterton | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Derek Conway | Mrs Betty Williams | | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Paul Holmes |
| That this House notes with concern that seven million people in the UK have experienced tinnitus for more than one day and that 800,000 people are so badly affected that it severely disrupts their lives at home and at work; notes that the Royal Institute for Deaf People's Tune Out Tinnitus campaign is helping to raise awareness of this condition and is providing help and support to those affected through a dedicated website and helpline; calls on pharmaceutical companies to fund research into finding a cure for this debilitating condition that affects so many people; calls on the Government to fully implement the new Noise at Work legislation to protect the hearing of employees; and further calls on the Government to ensure that the health service provides proper and consistent support to people when they ask for help for their tinnitus. |
| 433 | RESTITUTION OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES | 28:11:07 |
| Andrew George | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Derek Wyatt | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Dr Evan Harris |
| | Mr Adrian Sanders | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | | | Dr Ian Gibson | John Cummings | Mr Martin Caton | | | Lynne Jones | Derek Conway |
| That this House welcomes the development of the New Acropolis Museum in Athens which is planned to open next year and which clearly demonstrates the capacity of the Greek authorities to receive and satisfactorily instal those marbles from the Parthenon which were, in the past, removed in previous periods, including the so-called Elgin Marbles; notes that the principles of the restitution of museum items is now well established, which include the British Museum's return of Aboriginal remains to Australia under the Human Tissue Act 2004 and a number of fragments from the Parthenon and the Acropolis to Greece from collections in Germany, Sweden and elsewhere; believes that the opening of the New Acropolis Museum will give the British Museum a golden opportunity to demonstrate its goodwill towards the project; and calls on the Government to work with the British Museum to open a dialogue with the Greek authorities to arrange for the proper restitution of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens. |
| As an Amendment to Andrew George's proposed Motion (Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles): |
| Line 2, leave out from `year' to end and insert `but rejects calls for the relocation of the so-called Elgin Marbles; notes that such a relocation would set a dangerous and unworkable precedent, potentially leading to requests from all nations, including the UK, for the return of historic relics to their country of origin; believes such a move would damage global understanding of different cultures and severely limit academic research; and further notes that the Elgin Marbles were acquired lawfully and have been on display to the public free of charge for over 200 years and have been excellently preserved and cared for by the British Museum.'. |
| 434 | EYE CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Kevin Barron | | Sandra Gidley | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Shona McIsaac | | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Adrian Sanders | Mr Andrew Dismore | | | Mr David Drew | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Gordon Prentice | | | Dr Desmond Turner | Mr David Chaytor | Dr Ian Gibson | | | John Cummings | Mr Martin Caton | Andrew George | | | Lynne Jones | Kelvin Hopkins | Ann Winterton | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Derek Conway | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House recognises that with an ageing population sight loss will become a major public health issue; acknowledges that sight is the sense that people fear losing the most yet many people neglect their eye health; notes that four million older people are not accessing eye tests when everyone over 60 is entitled to a free NHS sight test; welcomes the recent consultation launch of the VISION 2020 UK Vision Strategy which sets out a framework for action to improve the nation's eye health, prevent sight loss and ensure support for those with sight loss; and notes that good eye health and vision is essential to help older people live in their own homes for longer, maintain their independence and reduce the incidence of accidents such as falls. |
| 435 | MIND'S REPORT ANOTHER ASSAULT | 28:11:07 |
| Tim Loughton | | Sandra Gidley | | Lynne Jones | | Mr David Heath | | James Brokenshire | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Lee Scott | Dr Ian Gibson | John Cummings | | | Mr Martin Caton | Kelvin Hopkins | Ann Winterton | | | Derek Conway |
| That this House believes everyone has an equal right to personal safety and to live a life free from fear and victimisation; is disturbed by the high levels of crime and harassment experienced by people with mental health problems living in the community highlighted in Mind's report Another Assault; is concerned at the shortcomings of the criminal justice system when responding to the needs of mental health service users who are victims of crime; and calls on the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, legal professions, health service providers, relevant Government departments and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to consider carefully the recommendations in Another Assault. |
| 436 | FIREFIGHTERS PENSION SCHEME | 28:11:07 |
| Mr Graham Stuart | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | John Cummings | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Mike Weir |
| | Philip Davies | Lynne Jones | Mr Edward O'Hara | | | Ann Winterton | Derek Conway |
| That this House notes that firefighters across the country do a brave and heroic job, often risking their own lives on behalf of others; further notes that they should be rewarded for this service to the public with a fair pension settlement upon retirement; further notes that following the publication of guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government four firefighters across the country who were in receipt of their pensions and who retired on grounds of ill-health have had their pensions stopped; further notes that this was due to their respective fire authorities telling them that they could perform other duties; further notes that as a result of a shortage of such non-operational duties, the four men were offered no alternative post and have been left with no job and no pension; further notes that firefighters pay a very high level of pension contribution, 11 per cent., to allow for the possibility of early retirement due to ill-health; further notes that this is not an appropriate way to treat former firefighters; and calls upon the Fire Minister to step in and resolve the matter at the earliest possible moment. |
| Mark Williams | | Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas | | Mr Roger Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Mr Martin Caton | Andrew George | | | Lynne Jones | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Betty Williams | | | Paul Holmes |
| That this House notes that at least 100,000 people in the UK suffer from lymphoedema, a chronic swelling which can affect any part of the body; is aware that the condition can be a distressing side effect of cancer and its treatments, but also occurs far more commonly in people who have not suffered from cancer; further notes that, with access to a lymphoedema clinic and the support of a lymphoedema practitioner, patients can do much to manage and control their condition; notes with great concern that there is a postcode lottery in the treatment of lymphoedema; is disappointed that in Ceredigion and in many other areas, patients do not have access to an NHS-funded lymphoedema clinic; is concerned that often treatment is only available for patients who have lymphoedema following treatment for cancer; recognises the excellent work of the Lymphoedema Support Network, a charitable organisation that battles to raise the profile of this condition with insufficient access to public funds; and calls on the Government, in co-operation with the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government, to do more to recognise this condition, and on local health boards and primary care trusts to give full recognition to lymphoedema in all its forms, and make sure treatment is available for all patients at a local level. |
| 438 | CARERS FOR THE ELDERLY IN PRIVATE NURSING HOMES | 28:11:07 |
| Mark Williams | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Martin Caton | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House notes with concern that carers and nursing auxiliaries in nursing homes outside NHS trusts and local government employment are paid considerably less than NHS and local government employees, often little more than the national minimum wage; regrets that Government guidelines to local authorities on charging regulations mean that carers looking after older people, often with severe dementia, are dependent on market forces to establish their worth; and calls upon the Government to work with the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive to ensure that new guidance is issued to local authorities which recognises the value of carers working outside the NHS and local government and ensures that they receive realistic wages and have improved terms and conditions. |
| Mark Williams | | Mr Roger Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr David Drew | | Dr Brian Iddon |
| | Mr Martin Caton | Andrew George | Mr Mike Weir | | | Lynne Jones | Mrs Betty Williams | Paul Holmes |
| That this House regrets the growing problem of personal debt, which has trebled in the last decade, and the startling rise in numbers of people declared bankrupt over the same period; notes that aggressive marketing techniques are used too commonly by irresponsible lenders; pays tribute to the valuable and underestimated work carried out by credit unions in providing a non-profit, ethical and local alternative to financial management which encourages members to save regularly, provides low-cost loans to members and encourages careful money management amongst members; and calls on the Government to outlaw aggressive credit promotion. |
| 440 | LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD | 28:11:07 |
| Mark Williams | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | Andrew George | Mr Mike Weir |
| That this House pays tribute to the range of excellent locally-produced food available across the United Kingdom; acknowledges that transporting food over long distances is bad for the environment; salutes the work of farmers' markets and food festivals in promoting the regional variety and freshness of food; congratulates Trethowan's Dairy in Llanddewi Brefi and Teifi Farmhouse Cheese in Llandysul on using traditional methods to produce their award-winning cheese; encourages supermarkets, schools and the public sector more generally to source much more of their food locally; and calls upon the Government to provide extra funding to regional development agencies, tourist boards and other local bodies to support the production and sale of food locally. |
| 441 | MERIDIAN REGIONAL NEWS | 29:11:07 |
| Norman Baker | | Mr Michael Moore | | Peter Bottomley | | Tim Loughton | | John McDonnell | | Martin Salter |
| | Sandra Gidley | David Lepper | Mr Roger Williams | | | Jo Swinson | Mr Dai Davies | Mark Hunter | | | Mr Nigel Waterson | Lembit Öpik | Annette Brooke | | | Dr Rudi Vis | Lynne Jones |
| That this House notes with grave concern the plans put forward by ITV to reduce its number of regional newsrooms from 17 to nine; notes with particular concern its proposal to merge the three current Meridian regional news programmes; believes this would lead to the loss of a dedicated service for Sussex and Kent and radically reduce the provision of local information to viewers in the South East; believes that such a merger would equate to a neglect of public service broadcasting commitments by ITV and would presage the end of local output on the channel; and calls on the Government to press Ofcom to refuse its approval for the merger. |
| 442 | SENTENCING POLICY FOR SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN | 29:11:07 |
| That this House notes the widespread concern in Northern Ireland regarding recent sentences passed down for serious sexual offences where the victims were children; recognises the long-term damage done to the victims in such cases and the need for all those in authority to be more aware of the adverse consequences for the victims, some of whom are very young; and demands an urgent review of sentencing policy in Northern Ireland so that sentences better reflect the depravity of the crime in each and every case especially where the offender is a persistent one who poses a continuing risk to society in general and children in particular. |
| 443 | KAREN REISSMANN AND MANCHESTER MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST | 29:11:07 |
| That this House notes with concern the sacking of Karen Reissmann, a senior practitioner nurse, from the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust; is concerned that she was unjustifiably dismissed for speaking out against proposed changes to services which many staff believe would result in a worse service to patients; recognises the right of all citizens to freedom of speech; condemns Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust for disciplining Karen Reissmann for exercising her right; and calls on Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust to reinstate Karen Reissmann with immediate effect. |
| 444 | PERSONAL TRANSPORTERS | 29:11:07 |
| Paul Rowen | | Mr John Leech | | Susan Kramer | | Martin Salter | | Kerry McCarthy | | Bob Russell |
| That this House notes the commitment made to a low carbon future by the Government and the provisions contained in the Climate Change Bill to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050; observes that much of these emissions are from vehicles, and that 80 per cent. of all urban journeys in vehicles are less than two miles; recognises that in several other European countries and US states, Segway PTs, a low carbon emission personal transporter, powered by electricity, have proved a beneficial addition to the transport mix, reducing the number of short journeys made in cars, and providing a number of uses, including for police and emergency services; further notes that more than 400 police departments make use of this technology worldwide; further notes their potential use as personal transportation for elderly or less able-bodied people; supports the request from the Police Federation for a trial of Segway PTs; and calls on the Government to make provision for a pilot scheme on public land to demonstrate the most appropriate way to integrate the Segway PT into UK transport infrastructure. |
| 445 | MARKETING OF FOOD TO CHILDREN | 29:11:07 |
| Nigel Griffiths | | Lynne Jones | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George |
| That this House welcomes the Foresight Report Tackling Obesities: Future Choices; notes with considerable concern its forecast that, by 2050, 70 per cent. of girls and 55 per cent. of boys will be overweight or obese; also welcomes the study by the World Cancer Research Fund that demonstrates a link between poor diet and an increased risk of cancer; notes that an unhealthy diet is also linked to cardiovascular health problems, diabetes and mental health problems; welcomes the forthcoming introduction of the Food Products (Marketing to Children) Bill that seeks to introduce a 9 p.m. watershed for television advertising of unhealthy food and stop the promotion of unhealthy food to children across all non-broadcast media; and finally notes that this Bill is supported by a range of expert groups in the fields of health, consumer rights and children's welfare, as well as the majority of parents. |
| Annette Brooke | | Mr David Laws | | Andrew George |
| That this House notes the announcement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families of the deferral of the implementation of ContactPoint to allow for an independent assessment of its security procedures by Deloitte and to address the changes to ContactPoint that potential system users have suggested, but regrets that this review will not extend to the design and content of ContactPoint; expresses concern over the safety implications of such a vast database containing potentially sensitive information in the light of security breaches at HM Revenue and Customs; further expresses concerns about the projected costs of ContactPoint; notes the conclusion of the House of Lords Select Committee on Merits of Statutory Instruments that the Government has not conclusively demonstrated that a universal database is a proportionate response to the problem being addressed; and therefore calls upon the Government to reconsider its decision to proceed. |
| 447 | HARRIS GROUP OF ACADEMIES AND CARPETRIGHT | 29:11:07 |
| Mr Ken Purchase | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Mr Denis Murphy |
| That this House is dismayed to learn that the Harris Group of South London Academies is offering inter alia, cut price Carpetright Company carpets to its teachers in attempts to recruit and retain staff; believes this demeans the ethos of the education service and is a regrettable consequence of handing over the ownership and management of schools to people unsuited to the serious responsibility of educating young people. |
| 448 | PARLIAMENTARY LAUNCH OF NUT MANIFESTO ON EDUCATION | 29:11:07 |
| Jon Trickett | | Colin Burgon | | Mr David Chaytor | | David Taylor | | Mark Fisher | | Mr David Laws |
| | Jon Cruddas | Dr Ian Gibson | Chris McCafferty | | | John McDonnell | Ms Katy Clark | Mr Neil Gerrard | | | Paul Farrelly | Mr John Grogan | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Harry Cohen | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | John Battle | | | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Fabian Hamilton | | | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Ken Purchase | Bob Russell |
| That this House welcomes the Parliamentary launch on 3rd December of the National Union of Teachers manifesto on education, A Good Local School for Every Child and for Every Community; welcomes the proposals on encouraging international co-operation and the sharing of ideas in education, increasing per pupil funding in state schools to match that in private schools, promoting local accountability and community cohesion, giving greater voice to young people in schools and colleges, and improving initial training and professional development for teachers; and calls on the Government to give serious consideration to the document. |
NAME WITHDRAWN (TO PERMIT TABLING OF AN AMENDMENT)
| Mr William Cash has withdrawn his name. |
|
