| 2825 | CARE SERVICES IN CARMARTHENSHIRE | 23:10:06 |
| Adam Price | | Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Hywel Williams | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House notes with concern Carmarthen County Council's proposals to privatise much of the home care services in Carmarthenshire; fears for the possible decrease in quality of service and working conditions under privatisation plans; notes the strong opposition from both workers in the care service industry and the people currently receiving care; and calls on Carmarthenshire County Council to reassess its decision in relation to vocal opposition from many sections of the community. |
| 2826 | DARTFORD CROSSING TOLL CHARGE INCREASES | 23:10:06 |
| Bob Spink | | Mike Penning | | Bob Russell | | Andrew Mackinlay | | Derek Conway | | Mr David Hamilton |
| | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House is deeply concerned about Government plans to dramatically increase toll charges for the Dartford Crossing; notes that it was clearly stated on the face of the original Dartford Crossing Bill that toll charges would cease once the capital costs of the crossing had been met, which happened some years ago; believes that politicians and political processes and structures are brought into disrepute when politicians break their promises; is deeply disappointed that the £70 million raised from crossing tolls each year is not spent on improving road infrastructure for local people who mostly pay the toll; believes the toll discriminates against people of Essex and Kent; and therefore urges the Government to withdraw its proposals and review in Parliament the principles of charging a toll on the Dartford Crossing. |
| As an Amendment to Bob Spink's proposed Motion (Dartford Crossing Toll Charge Increases): |
| Line 4, leave out from `that' in line 4 to `Kent' in line 8 and insert `is concerned that residents living in north Kent and south Essex have never been consulted directly since the end of the original concession agreement as to whether or not the toll charge scheme should be retained, unlike local residents affected by the London Congestion Charging Scheme and the Durham Congestion Charging Scheme, the only other congestion charging schemes operating in the UK; is disappointed that the £70 million raised from the crossing tolls each year is not earmarked for local public transport and road infrastructure projects in north Kent and south Essex;'. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Mike Penning | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr Alan Meale | Keith Vaz | | | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House notes the continuing distress caused to residents, and in particular pets, by fireworks; recognises that while the sale of fireworks has been restricted through the Fireworks Act 2003 to New Year and a three week period around Bonfire Night the number of people using and abusing fireworks at this time and during other parts of the year is still far too high; expresses concern at the distress fireworks cause to pets, who often have to be sedated as a result of fireworks; and calls for a complete ban on the private sale of fireworks except for organised displays where a licence can be granted by local authorities. |
| 2828 | ARMISTICE DAY NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY | 23:10:06 |
| Mr Jeremy Browne | | Stephen Williams | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Edward Vaizey | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Lorely Burt | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House believes that if the United Kingdom is to have an additional national public holiday, it should fall on 11th November, or if that is deemed to be impractical, the nearest Monday; that this would allow for greater reflection on the immense contribution made in conflict by successive generations to the continued freedom and prosperity of the United Kingdom and its allies; and that this national public holiday should be introduced to mark the death of the last British veteran from World War One, or alternatively, in 2008, the 90th anniversary of Armstice Day. |
| As Amendments to Mr Jeremy Browne's proposed Motion (Armistice Day National Public Holiday): |
| Line 2, leave out from `an' to `allows' in line 3 and insert `additional national public holidays one of them should fall on 11th November to allow'. |
| Line 2, leave out from `November,' to `that' in line 3. |
| 2829 | ENVIRONMENT AGENCY FUNDING | 23:10:06 |
| Mr David Drew | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | David Taylor |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Roger Williams | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mr Bill Olner | Mr John Leech | John Bercow | | | Anne Milton | Mrs Iris Robinson | Patrick Hall | | | Mrs Joan Humble |
| That this House notes the effects of climate change with the increased incidence of flooding and coastal erosion; believes that it is very disappointing that the Environment Agency faces a cut of £25 million in this financial year, much of it due to come from reduced spending on flood defence schemes; further notes that the Agency may face further reductions in the next Comprehensive Spending Review if the current expenditure base is maintained; and therefore calls upon the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ministers to review these cuts with an aim to restore budgets to previous levels. |
| 2830 | NATIONAL WILL WEEK | 23:10:06 |
| Simon Hughes | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr John Leech | | | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House welcomes National Will Week organised by Lawpack Publishing Ltd which starts on 23rd October 2006; notes that making a will is a relatively simple process; expresses its deep concern that currently two-thirds of United Kingdom residents do not have a will and that many residents die intestate; highlights that having a valid will in place is essential in order to ensure control of how an estate is divided; is alarmed that many United Kingdom residents do not understand the importance of having a will and the potential repercussions of dying without one; and calls on the Government to do all it can to raise awareness of National Will Week and the importance for all United Kingdom residents of making a will. |
| 2831 | NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE AND THE BBC | 23:10:06 |
| Mr Alan Williams | | Mr Edward Leigh | | Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Richard Bacon | | Mr Don Touhig | | Mr David Curry |
| | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House believes that the Government should reconsider its rejection of the proposal in the independent Sharman Committee Report that the BBC should be subject to full National Audit Office (NAO) access to and auditing of its accounts; notes that this would bring it within examination by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC); believes that the BBC should be open to Value For Money analysis by the NAO and PAC; dismisses BBC allegations that it would lead to interference in programming; reminds the Government and BBC Governors that the NAO and PAC have examined the accounts of the BBC Overseas Service for many years; notes that a principal Overseas Service witness confirmed in a public session of PAC that the Committee had never tried to interfere in editorial matters; and reminds the BBC that it has the privilege of receiving what is in effect a mandatory tax on virtually every household in the UK. |
| As Amendments to Mr Alan Williams's proposed Motion (National Audit Office and the BBC): |
| Line 8, leave out first `Overseas' and insert `world'. |
| Line 8, leave out second `Overseas' and insert `world'. |
| 2832 | FOOD WATCH SURVEY OF HOSPITAL CATERING | 23:10:06 |
| Philip Davies | | Mark Pritchard | | Mrs Nadine Dorries | | Mr Graham Stuart | | Justine Greening | | Grant Shapps |
| | Tim Farron | Angela Watkinson | Mr John Leech | | | Anne Main | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House believes the Food Watch Survey of Catering carried out by patient and public involvement forums at 97 hospitals across England highlights issues of national concern; is particularly concerned at the report's findings showing that a quarter of patients surveyed, including elderly and blind patients, said help with eating was not available when they needed it, causing them to miss meals, and over a third of patients had left meals because they looked, smelt or tasted unappetising; notes that good nutrition and the environment in which the food is served are essential to patients' recovery but, despite a series of initiatives, poor food is still of major concern to patients; and calls on the Government to show real commitment to bringing the quality of food in all hospitals up to the standard of the best. |
| 2833 | SHOP ACCESSIBILITY | 23:10:06 |
| Paul Holmes | | Mr Phil Willis | | Simon Hughes | | Mr Michael Moore | | Mr David Heath | | Mr Jeremy Browne |
| | Tim Farron | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr John Leech | | | Mrs Iris Robinson | Patrick Hall | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House considers accessibility to shops for the disabled to be an essential human right as recognised in law by the Disability Discrimination Act; welcomes the work of the local shop accessibility campaigning group Aspire in Chesterfield to achieve this in reality; recognises the support of the disability charity Leonard Cheshire in Aspire's campaign; supports Aspire's work in raising awareness of disability access in shops; congratulates the success of Aspire's action day in Chesterfield on Friday 20th October; applauds shopkeepers in Chesterfield for their positive response to Aspire's campaign; commends shops that have taken steps to make their premises accessible; and calls on all shops across the UK to work to ensure that they are fully accessible to disabled people. |
| 2834 | RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL SCHUMACHER FROM FORMULA 1 MOTOR RACING | 24:10:06 |
| Keith Vaz | | Mike Penning | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Martin Caton | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Derek Conway |
| | Kerry McCarthy | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House congratulates Michael Schumacher for an outstanding career in motor sports; notes his achievement of 91 race wins and seven world championship titles; hopes that his example will encourage generations of young people to apply the same level of commitment and dedication to their chosen field; and wishes him well in his retirement. |
| As an Amendment to Keith Vaz's proposed Motion (Retirement of Michael Schumacher from Formula 1 Motor Racing): |
| Bob Spink | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Peter Bottomley |
| Line 2, leave out from `titles' to `field' in line 2 and insert `however, notes also his proclivity for gamesmanship which has put himself and other drivers at risk and brought the sport into disrepute; urges him to explain to young people in all sports that winning at any cost is not acceptable;' |
| 2835 | WOOLWICH CROSSRAIL STATION | 24:10:06 |
| Mr Nick Raynsford | | Clive Efford | | John Austin | | Jon Cruddas | | Mike Gapes | | Harry Cohen |
| That this House notes the interim decision of the Crossrail Select Committee that there is an overwhelmingly strong case on both transport and regeneration grounds for a station at Woolwich, noting that the Woolwich station has a much better benefit/cost ratio than the Crossrail scheme as a whole, and noting the comments of the Select Committee Chairman that it is unprecedented for a Secretary of State to dismiss the view of a Hybrid Bill Select Committee and that in consequence the Select Committee has now suspended its sittings for a week to reflect on the implications; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to enter urgently into discussions with the Crossrail promoters, the London Borough of Greenwich and other interested parties to explore the options for delivering a Woolwich station in the most cost-effective manner, so enabling the Crossrail Bill to make further progress through its Committee Stage without further delay. |
| Mr Graham Stuart | | Mr Greg Knight | | Mr John Grogan | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Derek Conway |
| That this House notes that a region's economic, social and environmental performance is highly dependent on the strength of its transport infrastructure; further notes that population growth in the East Riding of Yorkshire is now the second fastest outside of London; further notes that business investment in the region has grown consistently in recent years and that Hull, with a population approaching 250,000 is one of the largest cities in the country; further notes that it is a recognised international leader in telecommunications and an important gateway to mainland Europe, with a successful port that caters for more than one million passengers a year; further notes that York has in recent years witnessed growing employment and investment in the fields of science and technology; further notes that it remains an industrial, commercial and transport centre; recognises that this strong regional performance has been achieved in spite of, not because of, a transport infrastructure that has grown increasingly inadequate; recognises that the A1079 road, which links the two cities of Hull and York and which is primarily single carriageway in nature, is no longer fit for purpose; further recognises that there have been more than 275 accidents and 16 fatalities on the road in the past five years alone; and therefore calls on the Government to provide funding for the upgrading of the A1079 road. |
| Mr Neil Gerrard | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson | Dr Brian Iddon | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House acknowledges Department of Health estimates that 180,000 people in the UK suffer from hepatitis B; notes that the hepatitis B virus is one hundred times more infectious than HIV and that hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer and death; welcomes the recent launch of the B Aware Campaign by the Association of Nurses in Substance Abuse, the British Liver Trust, the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, the Hepatitis B Foundation UK and Mainliners to highlight the severity of hepatitis B; notes with concern that the number of cases of hepatitis B is increasing; calls on the Government to make vaccination freely available as required; and supports the B Aware Campaign's calls for national strategic action by the Government to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this serious disease. |
| 2838 | RESOURCES FOR MONITORING SEX OFFENDERS | 24:10:06 |
| Bob Spink | | Mike Penning | | Derek Conway | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Andrew Rosindell | | Mr Ben Wallace |
| | Angela Watkinson | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House notes that the number of sex offenders registered in Essex has increased in the last year from 680 to 802 according to statistics; further notes that the number of breaches of sex offender registration conditions has increased from 23 to 38 and that these increases are typical of those across the country; is concerned that resources made available to the probation and police services are not sufficient to enable them to keep tabs on these offenders and thereby offer the necessary protection to children and women; and calls for the Home Secretary to make a report to the House on this situation so that hon. Members can ensure adequate resources and protections are in place. |
| 2839 | PLANNING FEES FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES | 24:10:06 |
| Bob Spink | | Mike Penning | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Martin Caton | | Derek Conway |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House is deeply concerned about climate change and believes that the Government should take practical steps to promote carbon reduction technologies; and therefore calls on the Government to change regulations to enable local authorities to waive planning fees in respect of applications for sustainable alternative energy sources such as wind turbines. |
| 2840 | PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON IRAQ | 24:10:06 |
| Mr John Baron | | Mr Frank Field | | Mr John Greenway | | Kate Hoey | | Mr Nick Hurd | | Alan Simpson |
| | Greg Mulholland | Peter Bottomley | Richard Ottaway | | | Mr Neil Gerrard | Mr John Leech | Anne Milton | | | Mrs Iris Robinson | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Tony Baldry |
| That this House regrets the lack of an opportunity hitherto to hold a full and proper debate in the House regarding the situation in Iraq, given the significance of recent comments made by Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt; notes that, irrespective of whether the original decision to invade Iraq was right or wrong, the public, armed forces and media are discussing the current state of affairs and future policy options in light of the General's comments; and believes that Parliament should be given further opportunity to do so. |
| 2841 | POLLUTION CONTROL AND THE POULTRY INDUSTRY | 24:10:06 |
| David T. C. Davies | | Bob Spink | | Mr Richard Bacon | | Peter Luff | | Ann Winterton | | Mr Dai Davies |
| | Miss Ann Widdecombe | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory |
| That this House notes that from 1st November Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Regulations require poultry, meat and egg producing businesses to apply for PPC permits to operate; notes that the industry has accepted the importance of the proposed controls many of which are already good practice; applauds the performance of the industry in contributing to government objectives for reducing energy consumption and in respect of disease prevention; welcomes the industry's delivery of safe, traceable food to consumers and the employment it provides in the rural economy without public subsidy; is concerned by the fragile economic state of the poultry industry following the avian influenza episode which cost the industry some £58 million without EU special market measures funding that the Government declined to apply for; believes that the fees for PPC permits will divert scarce resources from poultry businesses investing in measures to comply with PPC requirements at a time of fragile recovery of sustainable financial and market positions; considers the basis of the Environment Agency's charging scheme and its implications for the future of the industry should be independently investigated; and in the meantime calls on the Government to waive the introduction of PPC permit charges for poultry businesses for a period of three years. |
| 2843 | CHANNEL ISLAND OF SARK | 24:10:06 |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Robert Goodwill | | Philip Davies | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr John Whittingdale |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Paul Keetch | Angela Watkinson | | | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House recognises the important and historical steps taken by the people of the Channel Island of Sark to self determination, having recently voted, in a public referendum, to replace the feudal system that has existed for over 450 years in favour of democratic elections and reform; commends the decision of the island's inhabitants to embrace democracy whilst maintaining the deep rooted, traditional and culturally rich heritage that has survived since Elizabeth I; acknowledges that Her Majesty The Queen, who derives Her sovereignty of the islands as the successor to the Dukes of Normandy, is still the welcome and unequivocal Sovereign and Head of State; welcomes the efforts being made to develop free and fair elections demonstrated by the soon to be elected office of the Chief Pleas; and trusts that the Lord Chancellor, in his responsibility for ensuring the welfare of the people of Sark, will pledge the wholehearted support and assistance of the United Kingdom to the island during this transitional period to a modern and democratic society. |
| 2844 | 150th ANNIVERSARY OF St. EDWARD'S RC CHURCH ROMFORD | 24:10:06 |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Angela Watkinson | | Mr Eric Pickles | | Mr David Amess | | Miss Ann Widdecombe | | Mike Gapes |
| That this House joins with the Roman Catholic community of Romford in celebrating the historic 150th Anniversary of St. Edward's Catholic Church, originally financed by the Petre family of Thorndon and Ingatestone Hall, who bought the land and paid for the building of the church as a gift to the community; notes that St. Edward's Church is an important landmark in Romford that provides Catholics from the wider area with a central place of spiritual worship; recognises the profound work done by the dedicated priests and support staff down through the years, from its consecration by Cardinal Wiseman on 6th May 1856, to the committed work of Father Tom Jordan, the incumbent Parish Priest; and looks forward to the Church's continued service to the community for many centuries to come. |
| 2845 | IPPC REGULATION | 24:10:06 |
| Bill Wiggin | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Mr James Paice | | Gregory Barker | | Bob Spink | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Miss Ann Widdecombe | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Angela Watkinson | | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | Mrs Iris Robinson | Mrs Cheryl Gillan | | | Mr Christopher Fraser | Michael Fabricant | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory |
| That this House congratulates the British poultry industry for the environmental and animal welfare improvements that it has made; recognises the financial pressures on Britain's poultry producers, especially from cheaper imports; notes that DEFRA has not claimed any compensation from the EU for the consequences of avian influenza; is concerned that the charges for the Integrated Pollution, Prevention and Control regulations are considerably higher than elsewhere in the EU thus causing serious competition problems for the British poultry industry; and calls upon the Government to make every effort to ensure that the IPPC regulations are implemented in the UK in such a way as to minimise the regulatory cost and competitive disadvantage they impose on British poultry producers when compared to foreign and European competitors. |
| 2846 | MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE | 24:10:06 |
| Lembit Öpik | | Mr Mark Todd | | Peter Luff | | John Hemming | | Jo Swinson | | Mr Paul Keetch |
| | Peter Bottomley | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Mr John Leech | | | Mrs Iris Robinson | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House recognises that Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing and fatal disease of the central nervous system that affects 5,000 people at any one time in the UK; congratulates the Motor Neurone Disease Association on the work it does to support those affected by the disease and its efforts to find a cure, but notes that between 1999 and 2004, for every £337,000 the Government spent on research per diagnosed case of Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, it invested a mere £108 in research per diagnosed case of MND; and calls on the Government to contribute towards the goal of a world free of MND by ring-fencing £7.5 million from the existing medical research budget specifically for research into the causes of MND. |
| 2847 | DEBATE ON THE IRAQ WAR | 24:10:06 |
| Sir Malcolm Rifkind | | Dr Tony Wright | | Mr Kenneth Clarke | | Mr Alex Salmond | | Clare Short | | Mr Douglas Hogg |
| | Greg Mulholland | Miss Julie Kirkbride | Peter Bottomley | | | Mr Paul Keetch | Lorely Burt | Mr John Leech | | | Anne Milton | Mr Robert Goodwill | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Mr Peter Atkinson | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Steve Webb |
| That this House is deeply concerned that there has been no opportunity for a full debate in Parliament on the Government's policy on Iraq since 2004, a period of two years; notes that the US Congress has debated this issue on several occasions, most recently in June 2006; draws attention to the continuing heavy loss of life of Iraqi citizens as well as of Coalition forces personnel; notes the accelerating social and political disintegration of that country; and calls on the Government to provide further opportunities for examination by Parliament as a matter of urgency, to examine current policy, and the continuing role of British troops in Iraq. |
| 2848 | MESOTHELIOMA AND ACCESS TO ALIMTA | 24:10:06 |
| Mr Michael Clapham | | John McFall | | John Battle | | Mr Nicholas Brown | | Mr Terry Rooney | | Dr Ian Gibson |
| | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Mr Frank Doran | Mr John Leech | | | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House is aware that since July 2005 mesothelioma victims in Scotland have had access to the drug Alimta, which is the only licensed treatment for this tumour; welcomes the decision of the Cancer Networks and primary care trusts that have made Alimta available in parts of England and Wales; urges them and the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to stand by their decision irrespective of what the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) decides at the appeal hearing on 27th October 2006; notes that Alimta is priced lower in the UK than in other European countries and that the NHS budget impact for 2006 will only be £3 million; is concerned that NICE has indicated that it is currently not minded to recommend Alimta despite accepting its efficacy; calls on it to reconsider the applicability of its appraisal methodology; recognises the additional duty of care on Government to workers from the former nationalised industries negligently exposed to asbestos; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to acknowledge that, in this case, she has a wider social responsibility that goes beyond the NICE definition of cost-effectiveness. |
| 2849 | OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD | 25:10:06 |
| Tim Farron | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mike Penning | | Mark Williams | | Andrew Rosindell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House celebrates the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal run by Samaritan's Purse, which arranges for families in the UK to provide a sealed shoebox of Christmas gifts to be sent to children overseas who are less fortunate; congratulates the Westmorland Gazette for promoting this campaign in South Cumbria; and encourages hon. Members to take part in the scheme and to promote the appeal in their constituencies. |
| Graham Stringer | | Ian Stewart | | Lynne Jones | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Derek Conway |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House is saddened by the death of International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Marc Hodler on 18th October 2006; and recognises the major contribution he made to exposing the corruption of IOC members during the decisions to award the Olympic Games to Atlanta, Sydney, Nagano and Salt Lake City, which led to the removal of nearly 10 per cent. of IOC members. |
| 2851 | 20th ANNIVERSARY OF BUS DEREGULATION | 25:10:06 |
| Graham Stringer | | Mr George Howarth | | Mr David Clelland | | Mr Clive Betts | | Mr Paul Truswell | | Rob Marris |
| | Mr Dai Davies | Mr John Leech | Helen Goodman | | | Patrick Hall | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House notes with regret the 20th anniversary, on 26th October 2006, of the deregulation of bus services outside London; further notes that in those two decades bus patronage outside London has fallen by 37 per cent. and fares have increased by 45 per cent. (respectively 50 per cent. and 86 per cent. in the six metropolitan areas), and that the effects of deregulation have hit the poorest hardest; therefore welcomes the Government's Review of Bus Policy; and calls on the Government to make it easier and quicker for local authorities and passenger transport executives to plan and regulate bus services in a way which contributes to wider economic, social inclusion and environmental objectives. |
| 2852 | REGISTRATION SCHEME FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLES | 25:10:06 |
| Barbara Keeley | | Helen Goodman | | Chris Bryant | | Lynda Waltho | | Mrs Siân C. James | | Sarah McCarthy-Fry |
| | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr John Leech | Helen Jones | | | Patrick Hall | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House notes with concern the incidence of anti-social behaviour associated with off-road vehicles; recognises the disruption this behaviour causes to communities; calls for a mandatory and retrospective registration for off-road vehicles; and further notes the potential benefits the scheme would bring in terms of tackling the problem at its source by aiding police enforcement, providing consumer protection and improving safety standards. |
| 2853 | LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH | 25:10:06 |
| Sir Peter Soulsby | | Mrs Madeleine Moon | | Mark Durkan | | Mr David Anderson | | Sandra Gidley | | Mr Rob Wilson |
| | Peter Bottomley | Willie Rennie | Mr Marsha Singh | | | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Tony Baldry |
| That this House notes that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and that lung cancer is the UK's largest killer cancer, resulting in over 36,000 deaths in the UK every year; recognises that early detection improves the chances of successful treatment and that therefore raising awareness of signs and symptoms among the population is critical; is concerned that a patient's chances of survival can vary by up to four times depending on where they live; notes that five year survival rates average only 7 per cent. in the UK, compared to 11.5 per cent. in France and 13 per cent. in the USA; congratulates the members of the UK Lung Cancer Coalition on their drive to raise awareness of the disease; and calls on the Government to work with the UK Lung Cancer Coalition to ensure that their achievable target of doubling five-year patient survival by 2015 is met. |
| 2854 | EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND OTHER ROAD USERS | 25:10:06 |
| Richard Younger-Ross | | Derek Conway | | Sandra Osborne | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Mike Weir | | Mr David Heath |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House welcomes the Government's support for the Emergency Workers Bill, which creates an offence of `hindering' an emergency worker, but believes that the day-to-day hindrance of emergency vehicles by inconsiderate drivers is unlikely to lead to a prosecution; and therefore calls on the Government to take action to educate drivers in how to respond to emergency vehicles, in particular by including such advice in the Highway Code, and to make it part of the driving test. |
| 2855 | TURKEY AND THE EU (No. 2) | 25:10:06 |
| Richard Younger-Ross | | Mr Mike Weir | | Lorely Burt | | Mr Colin Breed | | Andrew George | | Jim Dobbin |
| | Keith Vaz | Peter Bottomley | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House recognises the changes made in Turkey to modernise its economy and progress made to improve human rights in the country, but notes that there are still many issues to be resolved before Turkey can join the EU; therefore urges the United Kingdom Government to press the EU to work positively with Turkey to resolve these issues; and commends the work of the Finnish Prime Minister as President of the EU in working to find a solution to opening Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot shipping as well as seeking a trade agreement with northern Cyprus. |
| 2856 | GLASGOW AIRPORT BA CABIN CREW | 25:10:06 |
| Jim Sheridan | | Mr David Hamilton | | Mark Lazarowicz | | Gordon Banks | | Mr Mohammad Sarwar | | Mr Ian Davidson |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr John Leech | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House notes with alarm British Airways's (BA) intention to relocate cabin crew currently based at Glasgow Airport to Heathrow; expresses grave concern that BA has refused to engage in meaningful discussions with the staff affected and their trade unions on the financial basis of this decision; and calls on BA to reconsider its unfair and shortsighted decision. |
| 2857 | NORTH EAST GO FOR JOBS CAMPAIGN | 25:10:06 |
| Mr David Clelland | | Mr Kevan Jones | | Mr Denis Murphy | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Mr Stephen Hepburn | | Mr Ronnie Campbell |
| That this House is concerned to learn that potential developers in the North East of England are being discouraged by the belief that the Highways Agency is less than co-operative and that development proposals will be unreasonably delayed; notes that developments on Gateshead's Team Valley Trading Estate and Riverside Park are particularly affected; calls on the Roads Minister to live up to his statement that he will `kick backsides' where such things happen; and further calls on the Government to co-operate with the aims and objectives of the North East Go For Jobs campaign and put economic development in the region at the forefront of Government policy. |
| 2858 | GUARANTEE OF FREEDOM OF BELIEF | 25:10:06 |
| Colin Challen | | Lynne Jones | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Paul Holmes |
| That this House believes that a fully fledged secular society is the best guarantor of freedom of belief; and calls for a thorough review of law to remove all distinctions between different forms of belief and non-belief. |
| 2859 | NORTH EAST MOTORWAY LINK | 25:10:06 |
| Mr David Clelland | | Mr Kevan Jones | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | John Cummings | | Mr Denis Murphy | | Mr Chris Mullin |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mrs Sharon Hodgson | Helen Goodman | | | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House welcomes the call from the Northern Way initiative for the North East of England to be fully linked to the UK motorway system as a step in the right direction and a major contribution to the aims and objectives of the Go for Jobs campaign in the region; and recognises that, while it is true to argue that congestion cannot be resolved by simply building more roads, a fully integrated motorway system throughout the nation is nevertheless an essential part of promoting economic growth in the regions and reducing regional disparities and that the current isolation of the North East from the rest of the motorway network unfairly and unreasonably discriminates against the North East. |
| 2860 | CORNISH GOVERNANCE | 25:10:06 |
| Julia Goldsworthy | | Matthew Taylor | | Mr Dan Rogerson | | Mr Colin Breed | | Andrew George | | Mr Angus MacNeil |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr John Leech | Mark Hunter | | | Mr Mike Weir | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House looks forward to the opportunity afforded by the forthcoming Local Government White Paper to promote decentralised and democratic principles; welcomes plans emerging in Cornwall to work with central government to draw down powers from unelected regional and departmental bodies, create a strengthened strategic voice for Cornwall, and ensure that subsidiarity and local accountability is promoted and cost efficiency is maximised; and looks forward to the co-operation of the Government in working with Cornish elected representatives to develop improved government for Cornwall. |
| 2861 | GIBRALTAR DAY CELEBRATION | 25:10:06 |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Mr Michael Ancram | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mike Penning | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Nigel Dodds |
| | Peter Bottomley | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Angela Watkinson | Mrs Iris Robinson | Mrs Joan Humble |
| That this House celebrates the historic ties that exist between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom, strengthened by shared culture, history and heritage; thanks the government of Gibraltar for recognising the City of London as a superb location upon which to celebrate Gibraltar Day and the UK and Gibraltar's uniquely intertwined governance; notes the significance in choosing the magnificent Royal Courts of Justice as the venue by recognising the shared values of law and justice that exist between the United Kingdom and Gibraltar; furthermore identifies the leading role and significant, yet vital, impact that both the City of London and Gibraltar as leading international finance centres have on the prosperity of the world economy. |
| 2862 | PREVENTION OF CERVICAL CANCER | 25:10:06 |
| Julie Morgan | | Anne Milton | | Sandra Osborne | | Sandra Gidley | | Chris McCafferty | | Annette Brooke |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Paul Holmes | Mr John Leech | Mark Hunter | | | Anne Main | Mrs Iris Robinson | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Mrs Joan Humble | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Mark Durkan |
| That this House welcomes the licensing in the UK of the first vaccine to prevent the causes of cervical cancer; notes that each year in the UK between 3,000 and 4,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and that 1,000 of these women die of the disease; recognises the important role Jo's Trust has played in raising the public profile and understanding of the causes of cervical cancer, and in providing support to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix; shares Jo's Trust's concerns about the fall in the number of women attending cervical smear tests and recognises the need for more information about cervical screening to improve the early detection of cervical cancer; acknowledges that the vaccine will prevent loss of life and reduce the burden on women of cervical smears, colposcopies and related treatment; and urges the Government to implement a universal vaccination programme at the earliest possible date. |
| 2863 | ROCHDALE CANAL | 25:10:06 |
| Paul Rowen | | Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Andrew George | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| | Peter Bottomley | Paul Holmes | Mr Bill Olner | | | Mr John Leech | Mark Hunter | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House welcomes the environmental, leisure and cultural benefits that the restored Rochdale Canal brings to the districts it passes through; further welcomes the increased investment and economic growth the canal has brought in areas like Canalside in Rochdale; notes that a further £10 million will be needed to complete the restoration of Rochdale Canal; further notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs plans to cut British Waterways' funding by £60 million over five years, of which £600,000 will be cut from this year's winter maintenance budget for Rochdale Canal; is concerned that these cuts in funding may jeopardise the future of waterways such as Rochdale Canal; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the important role that Rochdale Canal still plays in Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire by restoring British Waterways' cut in funding. |
| 2864 | TIME FOR CHANGE REPORT | 25:10:06 |
| Mr Jim McGovern | | Mr Mohammad Sarwar | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Hamilton | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr Colin Breed | | | Mr David Drew | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House congratulates Dundee's Al-Makthoum Institute on the publication of its report entitled Time for Change: Report on the Future of the Study of Islam and Muslims in Universities and Colleges in Multicultural Britain; congratulates the authors, Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Ewaisi and Professor Malory Nye, on their hard work; believes the report to be an important contribution to the debate surrounding the study of Islam and Muslims in UK universities; shares with the authors a belief that better education will lead to better understanding of Islam and Muslims; further shares their belief that education is one of the main ways to tackle extremism; and hopes that this report will provide the basis for an ongoing debate about these important issues. |
| 2865 | INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCHES IN ZIMBABWE | 26:10:06 |
| James Duddridge | | Sammy Wilson | | Mr Edward Vaizey | | Kate Hoey | | John Bercow | | Mr Brian Binley |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Marsha Singh | Robert Key | | | Mr Colin Breed | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| That this House notes that the host government for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa intends to schedule international `friendly' games in Zimbabwe; believes that the rule of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe is tyrannical; is concerned that international sporting fixtures in Zimbabwe are taken by Robert Mugabe as an endorsement of his regime; and therefore urges the Government to insist that no international football matches take place in Zimbabwe while the Mugabe regime is in power. |
| 2866 | BRITONS TRAVELLING OVERSEAS FOR ASSISTED SUICIDES (No. 2) | 26:10:06 |
| David Taylor | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Ann Winterton | | Andrew Selous | | Mr Stephen Crabb | | Jim Dobbin |
| | Peter Bottomley | Dr Brian Iddon | Mr Colin Breed | | | Mr David Drew | Mrs Iris Robinson | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes the contents of EDM 2749; expresses its condolences to the family of motor neurone disease sufferer, Paul Bennett; regrets the manner in which his assisted suicide in Switzerland was politicised and publicised by the euthanasia lobby; further regrets the exploitation of Mr Bennett's family who were led to believe they could face 14 years imprisonment for travelling with him to Switzerland; further notes that of 54 Britons travelling to Switzerland for assisted suicide, in not one case any action has been taken against those accompanying them; further notes that such cases are legally very complex since it is difficult to say to what extent it would breach the law to act as travelling companions in such circumstances or what public benefit it would serve for the Director of Public Prosecutions to take action; recalls that the legislation of assisted suicide is opposed by national bodies representing the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu communities as well as atheists and Christians; further notes that the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland and the Royal College of Nursing all maintain policies opposing euthanasia; calls on the Home Office to inform Parliament how the police learned of the action of Mr Bennett and his family and on what grounds they were investigated; and calls on the Government to maintain the law opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide. |
| 2867 | ENCLAVED PEOPLE OF THE KARPAS | 26:10:06 |
| Mr Andrew Dismore [R] | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Mr Martin Caton | | Dr Rudi Vis [R] | | Bob Spink | | David Lepper [R] |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Colin Breed | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Mr Nigel Waterson | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House expresses its extreme concern over the conditions of the enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish-occupied Karpas Peninsula, in northern Cyprus; notes that only 230, mostly elderly, remain of the 12,000 Greek Cypriots who stayed on after the Turkish invasion in 1974; is alarmed by the breaches of almost every article of the European Convention on Human Rights experienced by the enclaved, including harassment by organs of the Turkish state and Turkish settlers, lack of legal and policing protection from the local administration, interference in education, with teachers forced to make round trips of up to three hours each way to and from Nicosia and pages arbitrarily ripped from school books, the prevention of enclaved Greek Cypriots from working other than in agriculture, and the prevention of married couples living together; notes the fears of Greek Cypriots that prevents them from talking to outsiders because of police questioning and arbitrary arrest as a consequence; and therefore urges the UK Government, the Council of Europe, the European Union and the United Nations to take up the case of these oppressed people with the government of Turkey, so that the European Convention of Human Rights and Copenhagen criteria can be seen to be observed and practiced in Cyprus. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 2868 | REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR BAILIFFS | 26:10:06 |
| Mr Edward O'Hara | | Mike Penning | | Mr Martin Caton | | Derek Conway | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Bob Spink |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Andrew Love | Paul Holmes | | | Dr Brian Iddon | Jim Dobbin | Mr Colin Breed | | | Mr David Drew | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Gordon Marsden | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Natascha Engel |
| That this House notes that in 2005-06 the Citizens Advice Bureau service received over 1.4 million debt-related enquiries; further notes that for many years Citizens Advice Bureaux have reported a wide range of problems experienced by clients as a result of bailiff action, including bailiffs misrepresenting their powers, making false threats of imprisonment, overcharging fees, removing or threatening to remove protected and third party goods, refusing reasonable offers of repayment, harassing and intimidating clients and failing to exercise discretion in vulnerable situations; welcomes the Government's proposals in the recently published Draft Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill to introduce a single procedure for taking control of goods; is concerned however about the decision not to include proposals for the regulation of bailiffs in the Bill; and urges the Government to include such a regulatory framework for bailiffs in the Bill. |
| 2869 | PROPOSED RAIL FARE INCREASES FOR ZONE 6 LONDON SUBURBAN TRAINS | 26:10:06 |
| Mr Edward Davey | | Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Dai Davies | | Mr John Leech | | Derek Conway |
| That this House notes that the proposed rail fare increases planned for January 2007 to zone 6 London Suburban Trains include rises of between 33 per cent. and 36 per cent; further notes that a peak return to Waterloo from stations such as Kingston and Surbiton will increase from the current £6.80 to a massive £9.20; believes this will hit hard commuters on low and modest incomes, especially those working part-time, for whom options such as travelcards do not make financial sense; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport and the Mayor of London to review these rises immediately. |
| 2870 | JUSTICE, TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION IN TIMOR-LESTE | 26:10:06 |
| Mr Don Foster | | Mr Michael Moore | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Fisher | | John Battle | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Mike Weir | | | Mr Colin Breed | Mr David Drew | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes the UK Government's membership of the United Nations' Core Group on Timor-Leste; joins the Government in welcoming the important and innovative work of Timor-Leste's Reception, Truth and Reconciliation Commission; notes the UK Government's positive role in funding that Commission; further notes the view of Timor-Leste's new Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, that Timor-Leste must utilise that Commission's teachings to help prevent future crises; agrees strongly with the Government that human rights violations such as those described in that Commission's final report must not be permitted to happen again; urges the Government to respond to those of the Commission's recommendations that are addressed to the United Kingdom; and further urges the Government to ask the Secretary-General of the United Nations to convene a meeting of the Security Council to consider, at an early date, the Commission's final report. |
| 2871 | WELSH RUGBY TEAM | 30:10:06 |
| Adam Price | | Bob Spink | | Derek Conway | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Gordon Marsden |
| That this House welcomes the appointment of Stephen Jones as the new captain of the Welsh rugby team; wishes the best of luck to Wales in their forthcoming autumn internationals and looks forward to a successful Six Nations and World Cup under the leadership of Stephen Jones; recognises the hard work done by his predecessor Gareth Thomas; and welcomes the number of great leaders currently within the Welsh rugby set up. |
| 2872 | RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE | 30:10:06 |
| Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Martin Caton | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Gordon Marsden | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House believes that the killing of over a million Armenians in 1915 was an act of genocide; calls upon the UK Government to recognise it as such; believes that it would be in Turkey's long-term interests to do the same; and notes the great contribution made to Britain by the 20,000 strong British Armenian community. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mike Penning | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Bob Russell | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| | Peter Bottomley | Dr Brian Iddon | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mr Nigel Waterson | Mr Andrew Dismore | Paul Holmes | | | Mr John Leech | Mark Hunter | Bob Spink | | | Derek Conway | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Mike Weir | | | Mr Colin Breed | Mr David Drew | Hugh Bayley | | | David Lepper | Mr David Hamilton | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Gordon Marsden | Mrs Joan Humble | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Lynne Jones | | | Philip Davies |
| That this House notes the period of remembrance as 11th November approaches; recognises the sacrifice made by millions of people who have lost their lives, not only during the two world wars, but in other conflicts and peace-keeping operations across the world; pays tribute to the Royal British Legion through the Poppy Appeal, which acts as a poignant reminder of the loss of life suffered and helps raise much needed funds to allow the Legion to carry out its important work; and urges everyone to support the Poppy Appeal, which helps support veterans and their families in many different ways. |
| 2874 | HBOS AND FAREPAK | 30:10:06 |
| Mr Frank Field | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mike Penning |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr John Leech | Jim Dobbin | | | Bob Spink | Derek Conway | Mr Martin Caton | | | Mr Mike Weir | Mr Colin Breed | Mr Denis Murphy | | | Mrs Iris Robinson | Patrick Hall | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Mr Gordon Marsden | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Lynne Jones | | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House draws attention to the pivotal role HBOS has played in the collapse of Farepak, the Christmas savings scheme, whose bankruptcy blights the Christmas of half a million decent people, many of whom have been saving since January of this year; notes that HBOS allowed Farepak to continue trading whilst it clawed back something like £1 million a week of people's savings to offset the company's overdraft with the bank; further notes that in the last financial year HBOS reported a staggering record pre-tax profit of £4.8 billion; and calls on the bank to make good quickly the savings of those decent citizens who have been carefully saving money with Farepak to offset the extra costs of Christmas. |
| 2875 | ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS BANNING SILENT CALLS | 30:10:06 |
| John Hemming | | Lynne Featherstone | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Paul Keetch |
| | Mike Penning | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mark Hunter | | | Bob Spink | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Derek Conway | | | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Mike Weir | Mr Colin Breed | | | Mr David Drew | Mr Adrian Sanders | Mrs Iris Robinson | | | Jeremy Corbyn | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes that silent calls, when people pick up the phone and hear silence, continue with the acquiescence of Ofcom; thanks BBC Breakfast for highlighting public concern about this issue; further notes that the reason Ofcom gives for not enforcing the requirement for call centres to stop making silent calls through the use of an informative message is that Ofcom would have more complaints to handle; and calls for Ofcom to act to enforce the regulations banning silent calls by ensuring that there is always an informative message regardless of whether or not this creates an increase in the number of complaints made to Ofcom. |
| 2876 | FUTURE OF UK COAL | 30:10:06 |
| Mr John Grogan | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Ann Clwyd | | Mr David Hamilton | | Paddy Tipping | | Jon Trickett |
| | Peter Bottomley | Jim Dobbin | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Mike Weir | Mr Colin Breed | | | Hugh Bayley | David Lepper | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Mark Durkan |
| That this House welcomes the acceptance in the Government's recent Energy Review of the `added benefit' of indigenous deep-mined coal and its contribution to a secure, reliable and diverse energy mix in the UK; recognises domestic coal's twin benefits of price certainty over international market volatility and security of supply from UK assets; notes that Department of Trade and Industry statistics show that imports of coal have risen by 223 per cent. since 1997; further notes that the main remaining British coal producer, UK Coal, is tied into contracts with three main customers, EDF Energy, EON and Drax; understands that since 2003 power generators have paid £417 million more for imported coal than for the equivalent domestic coal, and that this price differential could rise as demand in the Far East and international freight costs rise; calls on electricity generators, particularly EDF Energy, EON and Drax, who comprise 86 per cent. of UK Coal's market, to act now and reassess the price they pay for coal mined in the UK in the light of international prices and import capacity constraints; is aware that electricity generators are looking for long-term certainty on emissions trading; urges in return that they offer a fair price for indigenous coal to allow long-term investment in mining capacity; and further urges Ministers to recognise that without immediate action by the recently established Coal Forum to tackle the issue of existing contracts for domestic coal, future production of indigenous coal, and the added benefit this provides, could soon be under threat. |
| 2877 | STATE SUBSIDIES FOR DAIRY FARMERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | 30:10:06 |
| Daniel Kawczynski | | Peter Bottomley | | Mike Penning | | Bob Spink | | Derek Conway | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mrs Iris Robinson | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House is concerned by the processes by which the Irish government is giving huge subsidies to its dairy farmers, and by the effect which this could have on dairy farmers in the UK, especially in Ulster; calls for tighter EU regulation on the Irish to ensure fair market competition throughout the EU; notes that the Irish government seems intent on destroying English dairy farming by implementing such vast subsidies that go against the whole spirit of a Common Market; and is deeply concerned at the UK Government's lack of action to make the Irish government behave in a more appropriate and conducive way in neighbourly relations in this matter. |
| 2878 | POLICE RESTRUCTURING COSTS | 30:10:06 |
| Hywel Williams | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Paul Keetch | | Mike Penning | | Paul Holmes |
| | Mr John Leech | Bob Spink | Anne Main | | | Mr Colin Breed | Mrs Iris Robinson | Philip Davies |
| That this House is dismayed by the level of Home Office contribution to police authorities in respect of costs forced upon them and already incurred in preparation for the discredited and now abandoned plans to merge police forces; notes that the Home Office proposes to meet less than two thirds of those costs; considers that the £100,000 cap on individual claims penalises some forces unfairly; fears that this further burden will inevitably lead to weakening the police's ability to fight crime; and calls upon the Home Office to reconsider this decision. |
| 2879 | TOP LEVEL DOMAIN FOR THE WELSH CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC COMMUNITY | 30:10:06 |
| Hywel Williams | | Stewart Hosie | | Peter Bottomley | | Derek Conway | | Mr Mike Weir |
| That this House supports the dot.cym campaign for a top level domain for the Welsh cultural and linguistic community; recognises the importance of representing cultural identity and independence on the world-wide web to internet users in Wales; and calls on the Government to support the dot.cym campaign. |
| 2880 | CONTINUED DETENTION OF PALESTINIAN MPS | 30:10:06 |
| Ann Clwyd | | Derek Conway | | Roger Berry | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Dr Phyllis Starkey | Richard Burden | Dr Brian Iddon | | | Mr Paul Keetch | Mike Penning | Paul Holmes | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Mike Weir | | | Mr Colin Breed | Mr David Drew | David Lepper | | | Ann McKechin | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Gordon Marsden | | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Lynne Jones | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes that the Inter-Parliamentary Union, at its 115th Assembly in Geneva on 16th to 18th October, at which 128 countries were represented, expressed its deep concern about the sweeping arrests of 35 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council; notes that the Parliamentarians in question stood in the January elections, which the international community, including Israel, considered to have been free, fair and secure; is deeply concerned that the arrests not only prevent the Parliamentarians concerned - a third of the elected Hamas representatives - from carrying out the mandates for which they were elected but also greatly impairs the right of the Palestinian people to be represented by persons of their choice; and urges the Israeli authorities to release the Parliamentarians concerned forthwith or to charge them without delay with a recognisable criminal offence and to try them in a fair and transparent legal process, guaranteeing full right of defence, as required under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. |
| 2881 | EFFECT OF NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE ON CARERS | 30:10:06 |
| Mr David Clelland | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Bill Olner | | Mr Jim Cunningham | | Bob Russell | | Dr Brian Iddon |
| | Mr Andrew Dismore | Bob Spink | Helen Jones | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Colin Breed | | | Mr David Drew | Mr Adrian Sanders | Mr David Hamilton | | | Mrs Iris Robinson | Jeremy Corbyn | Mr Gordon Marsden | | | Mrs Joan Humble | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Lynne Jones | | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes with extreme concern that whilst most workers rejoiced at the increase in the minimum wage to £5.35 per hour from 1st October, many carers in employment found that they lost the whole entitlement to £46 per week carer's allowance because the additional 20 pence per hour in their wage packets took them over the £84 earnings disregard limit; further notes with concern that carers with children are restricted to working at least 16 hours per week in order to qualify for working families tax credit and that this basic amount will automatically bring the working carer to a weekly wage of £85.60, £1.60 over the earnings threshold of £84; and calls upon the Government to review this situation urgently to ensure justice for carers. |
| 2882 | FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE UN INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM | 30:10:06 |
| Derek Wyatt | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Paul Holmes | | Derek Conway | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | Mr Colin Breed | Jeremy Corbyn | Lynne Jones | | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes with concern that internet repression is hampering freedom of expression across the world especially in Iran, Vietnam, the Maldives and China; urges companies in China, including Microsoft, Google and Yahoo, to reveal which words they have banned from blogs or have filtered out of web searches; requests that they make public all their agreements with the Chinese authorities and publicly call for the release of cyber-dissidents jailed for expressing peaceful opinions online; welcomes Amnesty International's irrepressible.info campaign to ensure that the internet remains a tool for political freedom, not repression; and urges the UK Government to make strong representations at the UN Internet Governance Forum in Athens in November to ensure that the internet remains a tool for the free flow of information and respect for human rights and that freedom of expression is a key component to any future agreement on internet governance. |
| 2883 | BUS SERVICE IN LONDON | 31:10:06 |
| Mr Andrew Dismore | | Bob Spink |
| That this House welcomes the fact that while bus usage has been declining on the whole in the UK, London has seen bus passenger numbers increase by 40 per cent. in the last six years, thanks to effective regulation, prudent and sustained investment and political support; acknowledges that the London bus network is now the most comprehensive in Europe, offering a modern, efficient and reliable alternative to the car; and welcomes the Mayor of London's measures to build on this success through schemes offering free bus travel for under 16s and under 18s in full-time education, helping families, and enabling young people much greater access to education, employment and other opportunities. |
| 2884 | ALEXANDRA PALACE AND THE BBC | 31:10:06 |
| That this House notes with concern the lack of provision for the protection of the original television studios at Alexandra Palace contained in the proposed lease for the sale of the palace by Haringey Council; recognises the heritage of the studios as the site of the world's first public television broadcast and the birthplace of the BBC's television service; believes that this heritage should be properly preserved and conserved, with sensitive re-use, as part of our national and international history; and urges the Government to take steps to ensure the continued existence of the original studios in any regeneration initiatives that might take place at Alexandra Palace. |
| 2885 | IMPACTS OF LIVESTOCK DISEASE | 31:10:06 |
| Tim Farron | | Mike Penning | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House believes that the economic, social and emotional costs of livestock disease fall most heavily on farmers, their families and their communities; recalls the huge cost to rural communities of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001; notes the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' consultation which focuses on the financial cost of animal disease outbreaks; and opposes any move to place an animal disease levy on farmers as this would add insult to injury in cases of future outbreaks of the disease. |
| 2886 | PEOPLE AFFECTED BY OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEME WIND-UPS | 31:10:06 |
| Dr Tony Wright | | Mr Frank Field | | Ms Gisela Stuart | | Alan Simpson | | Sir John Butterfill | | Jenny Willott |
| | Mike Penning | Bob Spink | Mark Durkan |
| That this House expresses its concerns about the continued distress of all those affected by the loss of their occupational pensions on wind-up; notes the report from both the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Public Administration Select Committee that identify the need for the Government to put together an effective rescue package; is concerned that the measures introduced so far have been slower, and provided less help, than the measures introduced for members of Robert Maxwell's MGN pension scheme in the 1990s; believes that an effective compensation package could combine both taxpayer, and non-taxpayer, sources of funding; and recognises that such action is essential if future trust in pensions is to be established. |
| 2887 | WELSH POLICE FORCE MERGER PAYOUTS | 31:10:06 |
| Lembit Öpik | | Mr Roger Williams |
| That this House applauds the four Welsh police authorities for their conduct over the police force mergers; is deeply disappointed at the cap of £100,000 that the Home Office has placed on payouts to police authorities; believes that the Welsh police force merger proposal was ill-prepared with a deeply unrealistic timetable for Welsh police authorities to consider such a radical structural change; is concerned that senior Welsh police chiefs and their staff were forced to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds and many hours of police time preparing responses to the merger proposals; is further concerned that this could have had a detrimental effect on policing in Wales; is further concerned that the whole affair has ultimately cost the Welsh police authorities around £500,000; believes that this money should have been invested in frontline policing in Wales and not spent on consultation costs; is further concerned that some of the costs incurred may have to be met by Welsh council taxpayers; and strongly urges the Government to pay back, in full, all costs incurred by Welsh police forces related to the police force merger proposal. |
| 2888 | HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY | 31:10:06 |
| Peter Luff | | Dr Richard Taylor | | Mr Frank Field | | Miss Julie Kirkbride | | Sir Michael Spicer | | Mr Julian Brazier |
| That this House notes that the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has decided to make all but one of the chaplaincy team at the Worcestershire Royal, Alexander and Kidderminster General hospitals redundant and to stop payment to the part-time visiting chaplains; further notes the inadequate consultation with local faith representatives and members of the wider community before reaching this decision; welcomes the action of the Worcestershire division of the British Medical Association in deploring the decision and calling upon the trust to `restore the traditional chaplaincy services as a priority in the forthcoming reorganisation of clinical services'; considers that the action of the trust is contrary to the guidance provided by the Department of Health in NHS Chaplaincy: Meeting the religious and spiritual needs of patients and staff published in November 2003; is concerned that this unprecedented action could be emulated by other trusts seeking to curb deficits; reaffirms the vital role provided by chaplains of all faiths and denominations for both patients and staff; believes that chaplains have a crucial role in ensuring that patients are treated in a holistic fashion; calls upon the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to withdraw the proposals immediately and instead reduce chaplaincy services in line with cuts to the other clinical services at the three hospitals; and asks the Government to restate its support for chaplaincy services to reduce the likelihood of Worcestershire's example being emulated elsewhere. |
| 2889 | NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE DECISION ON VELCADE | 31:10:06 |
| Jessica Morden | | Bob Spink | | Mike Penning | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House expresses concern at the ruling by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in its final appraisal determination which will in effect deny a new treatment, Velcade, to people suffering from multiple myeloma on the NHS; recognises that this will create inequity in the health service in England and Wales where patients with private insurance will continue to have access to this life-extending treatment; notes that while NICE recognises its clinical effectiveness, the decision to withhold it from NHS patients has been made on the grounds of cost; further notes that other European countries have been able to assess the drug as both clinically and cost-effective; acknowledges that NICE currently caps the cost of treatments at £30,000 per quality added life year which is inappropriate in the assessment of rare diseases and should be set substantially higher; and in the light of this calls on the Secretary of State for Health to ask NICE to review urgently again its processes for the assessment of treatments for less common cancers such as multiple myeloma. |
| 2890 | THE BURNS REPORT | 31:10:06 |
| Mr Don Foster | | Mr Mark Field | | Bob Russell | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Clive Betts | | Richard Younger-Ross |
| That this House congratulates the Football Association Council on accepting the recommendations of the Burns Report; recognises the achievement of Chief Executive Brian Barwick in overseeing this process; notes the important role these implementations will play in increasing representation of the diverse interests in the game; acknowledges the increased trust and transparency that the appointment of an independent chairperson should create within the organisation; further recognises the importance of grass roots football gaining formal representation within the new structure; urges the Football Association (FA) shareholders to agree to the changes; and encourages the FA to implement the changes as swiftly and comprehensively as possible. |
| 2891 | GET TO KNOW THE REAL ROMANIA CAMPAIGN | 31:10:06 |
| That this House welcomes the Get to Know the Real Romania campaign, hosted in London from 30th October to 9th November; recognises that Romania and Bulgaria will be welcomed into the European Union as the newest members on 1st January 2007; notes the immense and systematic transformation of Romania and its institutions over the last 17 years into a country that values and protects fundamental human rights; and believes that the campaign will make clear the full advantages of having Romania as a member of the EU and help raise awareness of the richness of Romanian arts and culture. |
| 2892 | MEDICAL EVIDENCE IN COURTS | 31:10:06 |
| That this House welcomes the work of the Chief Medical Officer in relation to expert witnesses relating to medical issues, but expresses concern that medical professionals with conflicts of interest have been allowed to promote prosecutions such as that of Marianne Williams; notes with concern that a false diagnosis of chronic sexual abuse by a medical professional, followed by multiple unacceptable errors by social workers, in a recent case caused a family to be separated for some years when in fact there was no actual evidence of abuse; expresses its continuing support for opening up the family courts so that errors made by professionals are more readily detected and hence prevented and the consequent miscarriages of justice avoided; and calls for a review as to what extent witnesses as to facts should be involved in Crown conferences in criminal cases. |
| 2893 | ROB McLOUGHLIN | 31:10:06 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr David Crausby |
| That this House congratulates Rob McLoughlin, award-winning broadcaster, on his 25th year at ITV Granada; recognises that Rob is one of ITV Granada's best known presenters who has presented Granada Reports, Granada Tonight, The Line, The Spin, The Last Word, and the political series The Sunday Supplement; further notes he has also worked extensively for World in Action, ITN and was one of the first voices on BBC Radio Five Live; congratulates Rob on reaching this significant landmark; and looks forward to Rob continuing broadcasting across our airwaves for many years to come. |
| 2894 | SINGLE FARM PAYMENT (No. 2) | 31:10:06 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mike Penning |
| That this House notes the difficulties being experienced by farmers in receiving payments under the single farm payment scheme; expresses further concern at the statement made by the Rural Payments Agency which said there would be little improvement in its performance; recognises that many farmers are facing financial difficulties and are being placed at a competitive disadvantage; and calls on the Government to ensure that all farmers who are still awaiting payments are issued 80 per cent. of their entitlement in a part payment by Christmas 2006. |
| 2895 | NATIONAL BURN CARE REVIEW | 31:10:06 |
| Mr Edward O'Hara | | Mr George Howarth | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Jane Kennedy | | Mr Joe Benton | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| | Angela Eagle | Mr Frank Field | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody | | | Mark Tami | Ian Lucas | Chris Ruane | | | Mr Martyn Jones | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes that the criteria of the National Burn Care Review are to avoid occasional practice, to provide effective capacity for management of major burns and to improve standards of burn care; is concerned that the concept of burn centres proposed to meet these criteria is based on an Australian/USA model which is not applicable to the UK, given major differences in population density and urban environments, particularly in the North West of England and North Wales; is further concerned that the definition of a complex burn adopted in the Review is insufficiently refined and that any change in definition would undermine all previous capacity planning assumptions in the Review; is further concerned at the artificial separation of intensive therapy unit and intensive care unit patients in the Review as seriously burned patients typically are stepped up and down between these categories; observes that poorly planned and insufficient burn centre capacity would result in delays in the treatment of seriously burned patients since beds would need to be found throughout the UK as burns units would not have the required resources nor expertise as they became progressively deskilled and underfunded; further notes in particular the risk to current services in reconstructive surgery, such as plastics and prosthetics, which are closely linked to burn care management but have a major role also in cancer and other services; and concludes that burn care needs in the North West of England and North Wales are such that they require the provision of two burn centres. |
| 2896 | TYNE AND WEAR PASSENGER TRANSPORT AUTHORITY | 31:10:06 |
| Mr David Clelland | | Mr David Anderson | | Mr Chris Mullin | | Mr Stephen Hepburn | | Mr Fraser Kemp | | Jim Cousins |
| | Mr Nicholas Brown | Mr Doug Henderson | Bill Etherington | | | Mrs Sharon Hodgson |
| That this House expresses grave concern that the financial position of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority is yet again under threat as a result of the introduction of free bus fares for people over the age of 60 years; and calls upon representatives of the Government urgently to meet Tyne and Wear hon. Members in order to pursue a solution to the financial difficulties of the authority brought about by Government policy. |
RELEVANT INTEREST DECLARED
| 2855 | | TURKEY AND THE EU (No. 2): |
| David Lepper has declared a relevant interest. |
| 2867 | | ENCLAVED PEOPLE OF THE KARPAS: |
| David Lepper has declared a relevant interest. |
NAME WITHDRAWN (TO PERMIT ADDITION TO AN AMENDMENT)
| 2828 | | ARMISTICE DAY NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY: |
| Tim Farron has withdrawn his name. |
|
