| 7 | VAT ON REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO EXISTING BUILDINGS | 3:12:08 |
| Bob Russell | | John Hemming | | Kate Hoey | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House supports calls from the Federation of Master Builders for a reduction in the rate of value added tax (VAT) to five per cent. on building repair and improvement work to existing buildings; believes that reducing VAT on repairs and maintenance to existing buildings would benefit millions of UK home owners by getting rid of rogue builders, helping those who cannot afford vital repairs to their homes, bringing empty homes back into use, and protecting the countryside and UK heritage; considers that reducing VAT to five per cent. in this area would also make it easier for home owners to make energy efficient repairs and improvements to their properties, thus helping to make the UK's existing building stock greener and more energy efficient; and notes that, with buildings responsible for 40 per cent. of the UK's total carbon emissions, this measure would go some way in helping the Government to meet its target of a 60 per cent. reduction in UK carbon emissions by 2050. |
| 46 | EX-SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN | 3:12:08 |
| Colin Challen | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Ian Cawsey | | Sandra Gidley |
| That this House believes that all ex-servicemen and women should be treated equally in the payment of pensions, regardless of when they served in Her Majesty's armed forces. |
| 57 | DIABETES UK'S YOUR VISION CAMPAIGN AND ACCESS TO RETINAL SCREENING | 3:12:08 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders [R] | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Desmond Turner | | Sandra Gidley |
| That this House welcomes the Diabetes UK's campaign Your Vision; recognises that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the UK working age population; considers that all people with diabetes should have access to free annual retinal screening with a digital camera and that each primary care trust should have a systematic call and recall system to ensure that people with diabetes receive an annual letter inviting them for screening; notes with concern that Government targets, of all people with diabetes being offered free digital retinal screening by the end of 2007, were not met and as a result one in four, up to 470,000, people with diabetes in England, are needlessly being put at risk of losing their sight; further notes that retinal screening is one of the most cost-effective interventions known in medicine, with 90 per cent. of cases of retinopathy being treatable with early intervention; and calls on the Government to ensure that primary care trusts put in place the appropriate facilities and allocate the necessary budget to their screening programme to prevent people with diabetes from needlessly losing their sight. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 79 | COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOOD LABELLING | 3:12:08 |
| Mr James Paice [R] | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Bill Wiggin | | Miss Anne McIntosh [R] | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George |
| | James Brokenshire | Mr Mark Lancaster | Grant Shapps |
| That this House believes that British consumers are entitled to know exactly how and where the food they are eating is produced, and that clear and unambiguous labelling stating the country of origin of the major ingredients is required to achieve this; and further believes that this will level the playing field for British farmers and enable British consumers to show their preference for home-grown food which is produced to high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and environmental protection. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 85 | ROBBIE AND MARGARET HUGHES | 3:12:08 |
| Tom Brake | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Miss Ann Widdecombe | Mr Peter Ainsworth |
| That this House draws attention to the serious assault suffered by Robbie Hughes whilst in holiday in Crete; notes that the alleged perpetrators of the assault have been allowed to return to the UK; calls on the Greek authorities to pursue the case vigorously and the Greek and UK police to work closely together to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice; and commends Margaret Hughes for seeking to set up an effective support mechanism for families affected by violent crimes or serious accidents whilst abroad. |
| 86 | ORANG-UTANS AND PALM OIL | 3:12:08 |
| Bill Wiggin | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Mr James Paice | | Miss Anne McIntosh | | David Maclean | | Andrew George |
| That this House expresses concern about the growth of oil palm plantations in Borneo; notes that many oil palm plantations have replaced the rainforest, which is the habitat for the orang-utan; is further concerned that increasing habitat destruction could lead to the extinction of the orang-utan within five years; welcomes the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil; and urges the palm oil industry to take responsible action to protect orang-utan habitats and become sustainable. |
| As Amendments to Bill Wiggin's proposed Motion (Orang-utans and Palm Oil): |
| Line 1, after `Borneo', insert ` and Sumatra'. |
| Dr Rudi Vis | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| Line 4, leave out from `welcomes' to end and add `deplores the failure of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil to act against members who continue to convert forest lands and peatlands to oil palm plantations; further notes the value of tropical peatlands in protecting rare megafauna such as the orang-utan, and the carbon dioxide emissions when such land is drained to support plantations of any kind; and urges the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia to rescind all licences for new plantations on peatland and implement a moratorium on further forest conversions to monoculture plantations.'. |
| 97 | FLOOD MANAGEMENT | 3:12:08 |
| Miss Anne McIntosh | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Mr James Paice | | Bill Wiggin | | Mr Simon Burns | | Mr David Drew |
| That this House notes the devastation caused by recent flooding and the institutional confusion and chaos that was exposed; regrets that responsibility for surface water flooding remains unclear, with no single body in charge; and urges the Government to bring responsibility for flood management under the remit of one body at the earliest opportunity. |
| 123 | CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER AND THE CREATION OF A HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT SUPERGRID | 4:12:08 |
| Dr Howard Stoate | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | John McDonnell | | Paul Flynn |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Barry Sheerman |
| That this House recognises the great potential of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) in desert regions as a source of clean energy for countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EUMENA); welcomes the Prime Minister's endorsement of CSP and its potential in his speech at the inaugural meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean; notes that CSP is already feeding electricity into the European transmission grid, that CSP plants are quick to build, and that the UK may benefit soon from this source of power via the existing grid; further notes that the existing grid may be upgraded with high voltage direct current technologies and smart electronics; further notes that the resulting supergrid would be a cost-effective means of promoting the security, efficiency and stability of electricity supplies throughout the region, and will in any case be needed for a single market for electricity and to provide access to large-scale but remote sources of renewable energy; and calls on the Government to promote these developments vigorously, to work with its international partners to remove overt and hidden subsidies for non-renewable sources of energy, to ensure that a proper price is paid for carbon dioxide emissions, to provide a system of support for renewable energy technologies that is harmonised across the region, to support existing moves to develop a single market for electricity throughout the EU, to extend that single market to EUMENA, and to put in place appropriate mechanisms for upgrading the transmission grid throughout the region. |
| 135 | ANIMAL PROTECTION POLICY | 4:12:08 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | John McDonnell | | David Taylor | | Paul Flynn | | Mr David Drew |
| That this House notes the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that animals have complex mental and emotional lives; considers animals to be conscious, feeling beings with an interest in living, avoiding suffering and experiencing pleasure; acknowledges that each animal has inherent value and is worthy of serious moral consideration; further considers respect for animals to be indicative of the level of civilisation; is concerned that policy making is led by industries that inevitably compromise animals' welfare and interests, and that the most essential interests of animals and the public's concern for their protection are given insufficient consideration; endorses the Prime Minister's call for constitutional reform that entrusts more power to Parliament and the British people; further notes that there is no Government body whose primary purpose is to protect the interests of animals in policy-making; and calls upon the Government to establish an animal protection commission or similar body, answerable to Parliament via a Minister, with a remit which includes the ongoing examination of the ethical status and rights of animals and how they are affected by policy-making, the facilitation of genuine public participation throughout policy processes which affect animals, and the development of a cross-Government agenda for animal protection. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Mike Hancock's proposed Motion (Animal Protection Policy): |
| Line 6, leave out from `civilisation' to end and add `notes that there is no Government body whose primary purpose is to protect the interests of animals in policy-making; and is concerned that policy-making may be led by industries that inevitably compromise the welfare and interests of animals, and that the most essential interests of animals, and the public's concern for their protection, are given insufficient consideration.' |
| 137 | ANIMAL TESTING OF COSMETICS | 4:12:08 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Paul Holmes | | Glenda Jackson | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Graham Brady | Mr Eric Martlew |
| That this House believes, in common with the majority of the British public, that it is morally unacceptable that animals should suffer merely because companies choose to develop new cosmetic products; applauds Uncaged's Boycott Procter and Gamble campaign as a vital means of relaying public concern to companies who perform toxicity tests on animals for cosmetics products; supports the transparent and thorough implementation of the animal testing and marketing bans in the Council Directive 76/768 relating to cosmetic products; calls on the Minister of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to ensure the disclosure of relevant non-confidential data in product information relating to animal testing of cosmetics products so that consumers can make informed choices; and urges the Government to resist attempts by cosmetics companies and non-EU states to prevent or postpone implementation of the ban on the sale of animal tested cosmetics products or ingredients. |
| 161 | LEARNING DISABILITY COALITION | 8:12:08 |
| Mr Tom Clarke | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Greg Mulholland | | Roger Berry | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell |
| | Mike Gapes | Mr Adrian Bailey | Gordon Banks |
| That this House is alarmed by the report from the Learning Disability Coalition, Tell It Like It Is, which reveals that 34 per cent. of people with a learning disability surveyed had had their daytime activities cut; is further alarmed by the number of people with a learning disability who are being squeezed out of the social care system by the tightening of eligibility criteria; is concerned that these cuts will worsen across the country as demographic and social changes and medical advances mean the number of people with a learning disability requiring social care continues to rise; is further concerned by a report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights which found that failures in social care were contributing to the social exclusion, poverty and isolation experienced by people with a learning disability; welcomes the work of the Learning Disability Coalition to highlight these cuts to services; and calls on the Government to ensure that all of these issues are directly addressed in the forthcoming Green Paper on adult social care. |
| 174 | FIREFIGHTER SAFETY | 8:12:08 |
| Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Michael Clapham | | John McDonnell | | Mr David Drew | | Ian Stewart | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | Patrick Hall | Bob Russell | Dr John Pugh | | | Gordon Banks |
| That this House notes the recent increased number of firefighter deaths highlighted in the Fire Brigades Union report In the Line of Duty; further notes the lack of safety-critical operational guidance for fire authorities highlighted in that report, and the absence of a properly resourced national body with overall responsibility for recording and investigating firefighter deaths and other serious incidents; and calls for work to be commenced with stakeholders leading to the creation of such a body with responsibility for developing and agreeing safety-critical operational guidance arising from those investigations. |
| 200 | HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS | 9:12:08 |
| Mr Neil Gerrard | | Robert Key | | Frank Dobson | | Jo Swinson | | Ms Katy Clark | | Lynne Jones |
| | Angela Watkinson | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; highlights Article 22 - the right to social security; further highlights Article 25 - the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being; further highlights Article 26 - the universal right to education; deplores the fact that despite 60 years of recognition for universal human rights, millions of the world's citizens still live in abject poverty, without access to adequate nutrition healthcare, sanitation, education and clean water; notes that the millennium development goals (MDGs), if achieved, would substantially contribute to the realisation of the rights of millions of the world's poorest by reducing hunger and poverty and by improving health, the environment, education and gender equality; is deeply concerned that progress toward the achievement of the MDGs for improving basic standards of living for the world's poorest remains seriously off-track; supports the Government in continuing working towards achieving the MDGs by meeting its full obligations regarding the quality and quantity of overseas development assistance it provides and also by encouraging the international community to do likewise; and urges the Government to ensure that such efforts are not undermined by redoubling its commitment to ending the harmful global trade rules and conventions that constrain the economies of the world's least developed countries. |
| 220 | COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES | 9:12:08 |
| Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Lynne Jones | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr David Drew |
| That this House welcomes the establishment of the Care Quality Commission in April 2009; and requests that the Commission must enforce the principle that healthcare and social care providers are obliged to act upon comments and complaints about their services, must ensure complaints procedures are open, efficient, timely and accessible with independent support for complainants throughout all stages of the complaint, must ensure that areas of concern arising from complaints are fully acted upon and the procedures amended or introduced as a result of complaints are implemented, and in the event of failure by a care provider to meet these obligations, sanctions must be imposed by the Commission on that provider. |
| 230 | DEBATE ON MODERNISATION OF THE SUICIDE ACT 1961 | 10:12:08 |
| Mr David Winnick | | Dr Evan Harris | | Mr Crispin Blunt | | Chris McCafferty | | Mr James Plaskitt | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House expresses concern that some terminally ill adults end their suffering by travelling abroad to die, committing suicide, asking a loved one for assistance to die, or are illegally assisted to die by their doctor; notes that the Suicide Act 1961 aims to protect vulnerable people by prohibiting complicity in suicide; welcomes the Government's plans to modernise the law via the Coroners and Justice Bill to make it explicitly clear that this prohibition applies to the internet; further notes that there are concerns that the Suicide Act 1961 is not fit for purpose; and calls for a full debate on whether the law should be updated sufficiently to protect vulnerable people whilst distinguishing between assisting suicide and assisting the death of a mentally competent terminally ill adult. |
| As an Amendment to Mr David Winnick's proposed Motion (Debate on Modernisation of the Suicide Act 1961): |
| Mr Bernard Jenkin | | Mr Paul Burstow | | Malcolm Bruce |
| Line 9, at end add `; and resolves to set up a select committee to join with a committee of the House of Lords to consider the issues raised and to recommend whether or not any legislative changes may be necessary.'. |
| 258 | ANIMAL TESTING AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS | 11:12:08 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr David Drew | | John McDonnell | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | David Simpson |
| That this House supports the campaign of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection to end the suffering of animals in tests for household cleaning products and their ingredients; and urges the House of Commons Commission to demonstrate support for this initiative by ensuring that cleaning products used throughout the parliamentary estate have been certified as not tested on animals. |
| 261 | IRISH GUARDS SINGERS | 11:12:08 |
| Mr Edward O'Hara | | Mr Peter Kilfoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | John McDonnell | | Mr Alan Meale | | Frank Cook |
| That this House congratulates the Irish Guards Singers on their recent tours of the west coast of Ireland, where they sang to raise funds for charities in Mayo and Roscommon and gave concerts in Westport, Knock, Ballinrobe and Castlebar; observes the historic significance of their performance with the drums and pipes of the 1st battalion Irish Guards by the invitation of the Irish people at the unveiling in the Peace Park in Castlebar of the first monument erected in the Irish Republic to the memory of those Irish people who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces of other nations including the British army; notes that they were commended personally by Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, for their commitment and in a letter by the Prime Minister for their contribution to building a better understanding between the peoples of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland through the medium of music; notes their continued commitment not only to such high profile events but also to work for local charities in Merseyside and surrounding districts; and urges new recruits from the Northern Micks who can sing On Mother Kelly's Doorstep without sending the cat clawing up the back gate to join them in singing for charity, peace and understanding. |
| 266 | SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DIABETES | 11:12:08 |
| Helen Southworth | | Mr George Howarth | | Mr Kevin Barron | | Charlotte Atkins | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Robert Syms |
| That this House congratulates the 225 children who came to Westminster on 18 November 2008 to mark World Diabetes Day and to inform hon. Members about their experiences of living with diabetes; welcomes the Diabetes UK report Making All Children Matter which calls for the 20,000 children in the UK who have Type 1 diabetes to receive appropriate support in managing their condition at school; is concerned that the UK has the lowest percentage of children attaining good diabetes control in Europe, with 83 per cent. failing to achieve recommended blood glucose levels; is further concerned that many children are still not getting the support they need in school to administer their medication and are still having to rely on parents visiting the school because the school cannot or will not provide the necessary assistance; and calls on the Government to ensure that local authorities, primary care trusts and schools take immediate steps to make this assistance available so that all children with diabetes are supported to play a full part in school life. |
| 273 | DIABETES MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOLS | 11:12:08 |
| Paul Rowen | | Mr Lee Scott | | Bob Spink | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr David Drew | | John McDonnell |
| That this House notes that the UK has the highest number of children with diabetes in Europe with 20,000 children below the age of 15 years diagnosed; urges the Government to ensure that children suffering from diabetes receive vital checks required for good diabetes management; further notes with concern the recent Diabetes UK campaign highlighting the lack of support for children at school in the management of their diabetes; further urges the Government to aid schools in ensuring children with diabetes have a safe environment and are able to receive full access to medication and health monitoring in schools; and concludes that all schools should have trained staff to deal with medical emergencies concerning children suffering from diabetes to assist with and if required administer insulin injections and blood glucose tests. |
| 285 | RACEHORSE BREEDING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM | 15:12:08 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Harry Cohen | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Frank Cook | | Lynne Jones |
| | Ms Dari Taylor | Lynne Featherstone |
| That this House is alarmed by evidence suggesting that many healthy but unprofitable thoroughbreds are slaughtered in British abattoirs or shot in racing yards every year; notes that the Chairman of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has acknowledged the problem of over-production of racehorses; believes that horse welfare problems flowing from racehorse over-production are likely to worsen as a result of the BHA's future fixtures list which will deny racing opportunities to hundreds of lower-rated horses; further notes that every year more than 160 horses die or are destroyed due to racecourse injuries; calls on the Government to undertake and put into the public domain a full audit of racehorse production, death and injury; and asks it to urge racing's regulators to act decisively to remedy the problems of racehorse over-production and the alarming level of equine death on British racecourses. |
| 297 | PRE-PAYMENT METERS | 15:12:08 |
| David Maclean | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Martin Caton | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Dr Brian Iddon |
| That this House notes that some of the poorest people in society are forced by power suppliers to use pre-payment meters which result in them paying on average £225 more per annum for their gas and electricity than those who pay by other means; recognises that it may be legitimate for power suppliers to insist that some customers have pre-payment meters, but considers that it is unjustifiable and immoral to charge them more for their gas and electricity; believes that power companies can not use the excuse that these are more costly to administer; and calls on power companies to cut the cost of power supplies to pre-payment customers to the same level as that for direct debit customers. |
| As an Amendment to David Maclean's proposed Motion (Pre-Payment Meters): |
| Mr Mike Weir | | Hywel Williams | | John Mason | | Mr Angus MacNeil | | Stewart Hosie | | Angus Robertson |
| Line 8, at end add `; further notes that many fuel-poor customers on such meters may self-disconnect through an inability to purchase tokens; and calls upon the Government and energy companies urgently to look at ways to assess the level of self-disconnection.'. |
| 299 | EMISSIONS PERFORMANCE STANDARD | 16:12:08 |
| Mr Tim Yeo | | Colin Challen | | Malcolm Bruce | | Joan Walley | | Lynne Jones | | Nick Harvey |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Alan Meale | Mrs Joan Humble | | | Mr Fraser Kemp | Alun Michael | Mr John Baron | | | Mr Hugo Swire | Mr Jeremy Hunt | Mr Edward Vaizey | | | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House believes that, in light of the strong recommendation made by the Climate Change Committee that the power sector should be almost fully decarbonised by 2030, and its warning of the potential dangers of a purely market-led approach leading to carbon lock in, the Government should bring forward early legislation to introduce a greenhouse gas emissions performance standard to apply to all new power generation capacity. |
| 308 | RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN ORISSA INDIA | 16:12:08 |
| Mr Virendra Sharma | | Mark Pritchard | | Andrew George | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Mike Weir | | Peter Bottomley |
| | John Bercow | Mr David Amess | Mr Simon Burns | | | John Austin | Mr Robert Walter | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mr James Plaskitt | Mr Jim Cunningham | Mr David Crausby | | | Frank Cook | Sir Robert Smith | Mr David Anderson | | | David Howarth | Lorely Burt | Mr Jeremy Browne | | | Mark Hunter |
| That this House is deeply disturbed by the systematic attacks perpetrated against the Christian community in Kandhamal and other districts of Orissa state in India following the deplorable assassination of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati, which has been characterised by brutal murder, arson, destruction of Christian institutions and places of worship, looting of property and retributive rape and which has resulted in a significant number of deaths; notes the European Parliament resolution of 24 September 2008 which `expresses deep concern at the recent attacks on Christians in Orissa'; further reports that Christians in the area have been coerced into renouncing their faith; observes that anti-Christian violence has intensified in other states since the outbreak in Orissa; strongly condemns the violence; further notes that no effective prosecutorial action was brought after an outbreak of anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal district in December 2007; further notes that relatively few complaints have been registered by police in Orissa and that the capacity of the police force to investigate the violence is very limited; and calls for bilateral representations to be made to the Indian government to call for the restoration of peace and stability in Orissa and the bringing to justice of inciters and perpetrators of the violence, and to consider what assistance the UK may offer for relief and rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of the violence. |
| 337 | MARINE RESERVES | 17:12:08 |
| Bill Wiggin | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Mr James Paice | | Miss Anne McIntosh | | Ms Katy Clark | | Mark Durkan |
| | Mr John Whittingdale | Sir Peter Viggers | Mr Ian Taylor | | | Mr Bill Olner | Mr Clive Betts | Philip Davies | | | Grant Shapps |
| That this House notes the recommendation made by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in their 25th Report in 2004 that a widespread network of highly protected marine reserves throughout all UK seas is an important marine management tool which is required in order to rebuild UK commercial fish stocks and to halt the serious damage being caused to marine ecosystems; and calls upon the Government to develop selection criteria under the Marine Bill for establishing a network of protected marine areas based around science-based decision making. |
| As Amendments to Bill Wiggin's proposed Motion (Marine Reserves): |
| Line 5, after `ecosystems;' insert `further notes that the main damage to fish stocks and the marine environment come from fishing by the non-British EU fishing fleet.'. |
| Bob Spink | | Mrs Iris Robinson |
| Line 7, at end add `and the need to enable sustainable fishing by the British fishing fleet.'. |
| 343 | UNITED NATIONS AND POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BURMA | 17:12:08 |
| John Battle | | Mark Durkan | | John McDonnell | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Evan Harris | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| That this House condemns the arrest of over a thousand further political prisoners since the democracy uprising in September 2007, bringing the total to more than 2,100; further condemns the sentencing of hundreds of these activists to long jail terms; notes that many of the prisoners have been moved to jails hundreds of miles from where their families live; further notes that the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, European Union and ASEAN have all called for the release of political prisoners in Burma and that these calls have been ignored; further notes that 37 visits by United Nations envoys have failed to secure a single reform; calls on the United Nations Secretary General to travel to Burma to negotiate the release of all political prisoners; further calls on the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution giving full support to the Secretary General's efforts; and further calls on the British Government to continue to work for a Resolution by the Security Council. |
| 355 | COUNCIL HOUSE BUILDING | 17:12:08 |
| Mr Austin Mitchell | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Michael Meacher | | David Taylor | | Jon Cruddas | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| | Dr Doug Naysmith | Dan Rogerson |
| That this House points out the urgent need to boost the economy by a massive programme of public investment to improve existing council homes and estates and build a new generation of first-class council housing to provide secure tenancies and low rents, and managed by an accountable landlord of the type the large numbers of people in housing need desire; and calls on Government to stop taking money out of tenants' rents and to ring-fence all rents and receipts within a national housing revenue account, to fully fund allowances to local authorities for the management, maintenance and repair of council homes at level of need, along with a level playing field on gap funding and debt write-off so as to secure the long-term future for council housing, and to provide funding to build new council homes thus allowing authorities to open up their allocation policies once again to the wide range of people on council housing waiting lists so that butchers, bakers, nurses and teachers can live together with young families and pensioners thus returning our estates to the mixed and sustainable communities they used to be, and to provide a sustainable housing policy offering security and stability for the 21st century. |
| Bob Spink | | John McDonnell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Martin Caton | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| That this House is concerned that, despite recent falls, infection rates of MRSA, C. difficile, Norovirus and other superbugs remain high, and there is considerable public anxiety about this issue; notes that as everyone can carry and spread superbugs, patients and visitors as well as hospital staff have a part to play in helping to tackle infection; believes that patients should individually be provided with the means and information to protect themselves and others when they go into hospital; and calls upon the Government to provide a comprehensive range of personal antimicrobial products that are proven to kill superbugs and a hygiene guide to every NHS in-patient prior to admission, or as soon after admission as possible as this will help reduce infection rates, empower patients and instil good hygiene practices at a fraction of the financial cost of treating those who contract superbugs. |
| 360 | INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA | 17:12:08 |
| Dr Evan Harris | | Lynne Jones | | John Bercow | | Lynne Featherstone | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| That this House notes the historical declaration against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, presented to the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 2008; further notes that this declaration was submitted by the French government in consultation with the International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO); and urges the British Government to continue to work with other governments and non-governmental organisations to ensure that there is enough support in the UN for a resolution to be passed to decriminalise homosexuality and to end gender identity discrimination around the world. |
| 361 | FIREFIGHTER SAFETY AND DATA COLLECTION | 18:12:08 |
| Mr Stewart Jackson | | Mr Simon Burns | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Andrew Selous |
| That this House notes with profound gratitude the selfless commitment of firefighters to their role, often in very stressful and dangerous circumstances; further notes the increased number of firefighter deaths in recent years, as highlighted in the Fire Brigades' Union report, In the Line of Duty; further notes the lack of safety-critical operational guidance for fire authorities highlighted in that report, and the deficiency of data collection in regard to firefighter deaths and other serious incidents; and therefore calls for greater clarity and standardisation in the recording and investigation of firefighter fatalities and injuries and for more comprehensive safety guidance for fire authorities. |
| 398 | CEASEFIRE IN SRI LANKA | 12:1:09 |
| Keith Vaz | | Andrew George | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Richard Burden |
| That this House condemns the violent atrocities in Sri Lanka which have resulted in the deaths of so many civilians, including the shocking murder of Mr Lasantha Wickramatunga and the entrance of armed guards into the offices of the country's largest private television broadcaster; believes that such incidents are a direct attack on press freedom; and calls for the British Government to take urgent action to help secure an immediate ceasefire on the part of all included in these conflicts. |
| 405 | CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUX | 12:1:09 |
| Nick Herbert | | Mr Alan Duncan | | Mr Henry Bellingham | | Mr Edward Garnier | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | | Mr David Burrowes |
| | Mr Peter Ainsworth | Miss Anne McIntosh | Angela Watkinson | | | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House recognises the vital contribution of citizens advice bureaux in providing advice on debt to those in need during the recession; notes that personal debt is now the single biggest problem dealt with by bureaux; further notes that there has been a 51 per cent. increase compared to the previous year in cases involving mortgage or loan arrears, a 69 per cent. increase in redundancy cases and a 22 per cent. increase in bankruptcy cases dealt with by bureaux; is concerned that the way in which the Legal Services Commission is commissioning Community Legal Advice Centres and Networks may undermine the citizens advice bureaux network; further notes the Government's review of the funding and provision of civil legal advice; urges the consideration of a public interest test in the future commissioning process, as recommended by Citizens Advice; and believes that in the current economic downturn, and pending the outcome of its review, the Government should suspend the roll-out of Community Legal Advice Centres and Networks to ensure that citizens advice bureaux can maintain their services at a time when they are needed most. |
| 417 | ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE STATE PENSION | 13:1:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Mark Durkan | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House notes the centenary anniversary of the state pension being established as a foundation of support for older people; notes that in 1909 half a million people over 70 years were awarded their five shillings a week and now over 12 million are eligible, with 700,000 more people due to reach pensionable age in 2009; recognises that the basic state pension is worth four times in real terms the amount received in 1909; commends the Government for the extra help offered to today's pensioners in terms of free bus travel, the winter fuel payment and the £60 payment due this year; but calls on the Government to continue to extend the financial help and services available for pensioners; and looks forward to the state pension continuing to provide financial security for pensioners for decades to come. |
| As Amendments to Mr Lindsay Hoyle's proposed Motion (One Hundred Years of the State Pension): |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Edward Davey | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Paul Holmes | | Dr Evan Harris |
| Line 1, at end insert `by a Liberal Government'. |
| Line 1, after `pension', insert `, based substantially on the work of Charles Booth the great philanthropist and social reformer who lived at Grace Dieu Manor in North West Leicestershire,'. |
| Geraldine Smith | | Mr Jim McGovern | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Joan Walley | | Colin Burgon | | David Lepper |
| | Shona McIsaac | Mr Barry Sheerman |
| That this House notes that the Labour Party Conference 2008, with the backing of Ministers, supported a vision of a wholly publicly-owned, integrated Royal Mail Group; welcomes the conclusion of the Hooper Report that the current universal service obligation offered by Royal Mail, including six days a week delivery, must be protected and that the primary duty of a new regulator should be to maintain it; further welcomes the recommendations in the Report that the Government should take responsibility for the pensions deficit which followed an extended contributions holiday; endorses the call for a new relationship between management and postal unions and welcomes the commitment of the Communication Workers Union to negotiate an agreement which would support the modernisation of the industry; observes that in 2007 the Government agreed to a £1.2 billion loan facility on commercial terms to modernise Royal Mail operations; rejects the recommendation of the Hooper Report to sell a minority stake in Royal Mail which would risk fracturing one of Britain's greatest public services; further notes that the Government is currently advertising for a new Chair of Royal Mail; and urges the Secretary of State to appoint a Chair and management team who are committed to the principles of a modern public enterprise. |
| As Amendments to Geraldine Smith's proposed Motion (Royal Mail): |
| Line 12, leave out from `operations' to end. |
| Line 14, leave out `Chair' and insert `Chairman'. |
| Line 15, leave out `Chair' and insert `Chairman'. |
| 432 | SHELTERED HOUSING WARDENS | 13:1:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Stephen Williams | | Lynne Jones | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House notes with concern reductions in funding for supporting people services; further notes that this is leading to the threat of a removal of warden-supported housing complexes; is concerned that this will have a detrimental effect upon the quality of life of many vulnerable people who rely on warden-supported housing; and calls on the Government to take action to ensure that this vital service remains. |
| 441 | EPILEPSY IN ENGLAND | 14:1:09 |
| Chris McCafferty | | Mr Paul Truswell | | Dr Evan Harris | | Andrew George | | Mr David Amess | | Mr Kevin Barron |
| That this House notes the Epilepsy Action survey of January 2009; agrees that it is time for change for people with epilepsy; recognises that the majority of primary care trusts and acute trusts in England are failing to meet National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines of 2004 for adults and children with epilepsy; congratulates Epilepsy Action for highlighting these issues in its campaign Epilepsy in England: time for change; believes that all health commissioners should carry out a review of their implementation of the NICE epilepsy guidelines and develop plans to ensure these are met; and calls on the Government to take a lead in driving improvements in epilepsy service provision and appoint a national clinical director to review service provision in England and lead change. |
| 458 | EQUALITY BILL AND AGE DISCRIMINATION | 14:1:09 |
| Mr Gordon Marsden | | John Bercow | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Hywel Williams | | John Mason | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| | Richard Ottaway | Mr John Grogan | Jim Sheridan |
| That this House notes the Government's manifesto commitment to bring in a single comprehensive Equality Bill within the lifetime of this Parliament; welcomes the Government's commitment to banning age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services as part of this Bill; urges all hon. Members to support this Bill; recognises that health and social care is one of the key areas in which older people face unfair discrimination; is concerned that this discrimination has a major impact on their quality of life and, in extreme circumstances, can deny them potentially life-saving treatment; understands that the Government intends to introduce provisions on age discrimination in health and social care by secondary legislation; and is concerned that the provision for this and detailed guidance should be brought forward as soon as possible after Second Reading of the Bill and not be subject to a lengthy delay before enactment. |
| 481 | PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE HUNTING ACT 2004 | 15:1:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Miss Ann Widdecombe | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Mr Elliot Morley | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House reaffirms its support for the Hunting Act 2004; notes the Ipsos MORI poll in September 2008 highlighting that three out of every four people in Britain do not want fox-hunting to be made legal again, and that 71 per cent. of the rural community backs the ban on fox-hunting; notes that the rule of law applies to all individuals; and calls upon the Government to ensure the Act is enforced consistently. |
| 487 | GARY MCKINNON EXTRADITION | 19:1:09 |
| Mrs Janet Dean | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Evan Harris | | Mr Gordon Marsden | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House notes the likely extradition to the United States of Mr Gary McKinnon, a man recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, on charges of computer misuse; further notes that the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome was made subsequent to the judgments of the Magistrates' Court, Divisional Court and the House of Lords; regrets that this new evidence has not been taken into account; calls for Mr McKinnon's diagnosis to be considered in any legal proceedings relating to his extradition; and supports the National Autistic Society's campaign for Mr McKinnon's Asperger's syndrome to be considered. |
| 490 | SIR KEITH PARK MEMORIAL CAMPAIGN | 19:1:09 |
| Mr Mark Field | | Dr Gavin Strang | | Dr Vincent Cable | | Mr Mark Francois | | Lembit Öpik | | Mr Brian H. Donohoe |
| That this House commends the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign on the continuing success of its aims to erect a statue of Battle of Britain hero, New Zealander Sir Keith Park, temporarily on the Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square in 2009 and permanently in Waterloo Place in 2010; notes that since March 2008 the campaign has received the support of 64 hon. Members, Battle of Britain veterans, members of the Park family, noble Lords, senior Royal Air Force officers, the leaders of all major political parties in New Zealand, the Mayor of London and many thousands of public supporters in the UK, New Zealand, the Commonwealth and around the world; states that achievement of the campaign's aim would constitute a long-overdue and fitting memorial to a great man whose leadership in large part ensured our victory in the Battle of Britain; and further notes the significance of 2010 as the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and one of the few remaining commemorations at which surviving veterans of the Battle of Britain will be able to attend. |
| 496 | SHARED SURFACES AND DISABLED PEOPLE | 19:1:09 |
| Roger Berry | | Mr David Amess | | Mr Paul Burstow | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Mrs Joan Humble |
| | Mr John Gummer | Sir John Butterfill | Mr Barry Sheerman | | | Mr George Galloway | Mr Eddie McGrady | Pete Wishart | | | Dr Richard Taylor |
| That this House supports the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs) and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee in calling for a moratorium on new shared surface schemes in our towns and cities until the Department for Transport has published the results of its forthcoming research; recognises that in these schemes it is not possible for certain groups of vulnerable road users to use such areas independently because they cannot tell where the pavement ends and the road begins; and welcomes the research that Guide Dogs has already carried out to highlight the issue and to try to find an effective solution. |
| 522 | TIME TO CHANGE CAMPAIGN TO END MENTAL HEALTH DISCRIMINATION | 20:1:09 |
| Lynne Jones | | Paul Rowen | | Mr Kevin Barron | | Mark Fisher | | Tim Loughton | | Bob Russell |
| That this House supports Time to Change, England's biggest and most ambitious campaign to end mental health discrimination; notes that one in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime; further notes that nine out of 10 people with mental health problems have been discriminated against at home, work or in the community; acknowledges that the stigma surrounding mental health problems must be challenged at every level of society; encourages greater and more open discussions in Parliament of the ways in which mental illness has impacted on the lives of hon. Members, their families and friends; and calls on the Government to speak out publicly in support of the Time to Change initiative. |
| 545 | SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES ON ANIMALS AND THE USE OF NON-ANIMAL ALTERNATIVES | 21:1:09 |
| Martin Horwood | | Mr Oliver Letwin | | David Taylor | | Bob Russell | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Simon Burns | Gwyn Prosser | Stephen Pound | | | Mr Don Foster | Mr Gary Streeter | Mr Roger Godsiff | | | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Michael Clapham | Mr Fraser Kemp | | | Mr Chris Mullin | Ann Clwyd | Mr Charles Kennedy | | | Angela Watkinson | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House is concerned that for the sixth successive year the number of scientific procedures on animals has steadily increased, reaching over 3.2 million in 2007, the highest level since 1991; notes that the use of animals in scientific procedures continues to outstrip the development of non-animal alternatives in spite of the valuable work of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and other organisations involved in the development and promotion of non-animal alternatives, replacing the need for animal testing and offering hope of humane scientific research; further notes that this year it is 50 years since the 3Rs approach (replacement, refinement and reduction) was first advocated; considers that progress towards implementing the 3Rs has been desperately slow; and urges the Government to introduce measures to deal with barriers to implementing non-animal alternatives, halt increases in the numbers of animals used, and encourage more widespread implementation of non-animal alternatives across all sectors involved in research. |
| 554 | PLAIN PACKAGING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS | 22:1:09 |
| Dr Richard Taylor | | David Taylor | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Mr Kevin Barron | | Charlotte Atkins | | Dr Howard Stoate |
| That this House notes the recently adopted Article 13 guidelines to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which define tobacco packaging and display as a means of advertising and promotion; acknowledges that research has found that current tobacco packaging is misleading by implying that some tobacco products are less harmful than others; believes that misleading packaging is in contravention of the EU directive on tobacco products and that research also shows that removing colours and brand imagery from packs increases the effectiveness of health warnings; supports the prohibition of retail display of tobacco products; and urges the Government to introduce measures to require plain packaging of all tobacco products by regulation. |
| 560 | GROCERY MARKET OMBUDSMAN | 22:1:09 |
| Andrew George | | Mr David Drew | | Daniel Kawczynski | | Hywel Williams | | Mr Colin Breed | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Richard Bacon | Martin Horwood |
| That this House welcomes the recommendations of the Competitions Commission's Grocery Market Inquiry that a strengthened Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) monitored and enforced by an independent Ombudsman should be established; notes that the Commission found supermarket practices which `transfer excessive risk' to suppliers, such as retrospective unilateral changes to the terms of supply agreements, charges for loss or damage to goods after delivery and withholding payment without cause could have `an adverse effect on investment and innovation in the supply chain, and ultimately on consumers'; believes that the current recession has increased pressure on suppliers but further notes that United Kingdom supermarkets continue to report healthy profits from their grocery business; recognises that fair treatment of primary producers is crucial to achieving United Kingdom commitments to eradicating poverty in the developing world and guaranteeing food security for the United Kingdom; hopes that supermarkets will recognise that the establishment of an Ombudsman offers the opportunity for independent verification of their commitment to the principles of fair trading and that they will agree undertakings with the Commission; urges the Commission to implement its recommendation to give primary producers and other suppliers to intermediaries the right to submit complaints to the Ombudsman regarding the conduct of grocery retailers; and calls upon the Government to respect the considered recommendations of the Competition Commission and to confirm that it is prepared to introduce the necessary legislation to establish the proposed Ombudsman if a voluntary agreement cannot be achieved between the Commission, supermarkets and suppliers. |
| 563 | REGISTER OF LOBBYISTS | 26:1:09 |
| Mr Gordon Prentice | | Paul Flynn | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Peter Bottomley | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dr Evan Harris |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Gordon Banks |
| That this House notes with approval the recent Report of the Public Administration Select Committee on lobbying which calls for a mandatory register of lobbying activity provided for in statute, independently managed and enforced, and which would include information provided by both lobbyists and those being lobbied; and calls on the Government to bring forward the necessary legislation as a matter of urgency. |
| 565 | RETRO-REFLECTIVE MARKINGS ON HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES | 26:1:09 |
| Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Robert Goodwill | | Mr John Leech | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Nigel Waterson | | Mr Alistair Carmichael |
| That this House is concerned that the most recent road accident statistics show that in 2007 the number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) increased despite a drop in the overall number of accidents; notes that although HGVs make up just 5.7 per cent. of road traffic, they are involved in 15 per cent. of all fatal road accidents; recalls that a report commissioned by the Department for Transport concluded that fitting retro-reflective markings to the sides and back of HGVs increases conspicuity and reduces fatalities and that there is a cost-benefit to making this measure mandatory on all newly registered HGVs; understands the financial pressures currently facing the haulage industry, but notes that this measure would cost approximately 0.001 per cent. of the price of a new vehicle; is dismayed that despite an undertaking to introduce such a measure for all newly registered HGVs by 10 October 2009, under the draft statutory instrument published by the Department for Transport, only around five per cent. of newly registered vehicles will be required to have conspicuity markings; and calls on the Government to ensure that all newly registered vehicles and their trailers are fitted with conspicuity markings from that date, and to use the annual HGV test to enforce this measure. |
| 566 | FREE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR LONG-TERM CONDITIONS | 26:1:09 |
| John Bercow | | Mr Neil Gerrard | | Norman Lamb | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr David Amess | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mr James Plaskitt | | | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Eric Martlew | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House is concerned that large numbers of people with long-term conditions are struggling to afford vital medication and that some are unable to pay; welcomes the commitment given by the Prime Minister in September 2008 to abolish prescription charges for people with cancer from April 2009 and for people with long-term conditions over the next few years; notes that the new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme will deliver substantial savings to the NHS drugs budget; further welcomes the announcement that Professor Ian Gilmore will conduct a review to consider how to implement this policy; and supports the Campaign for Free Prescriptions for Long-term Conditions in urging the Government to abolish prescription charges for all people with all long-term conditions before the next General Election. |
| As an Amendment to John Bercow's proposed Motion (Free Prescriptions for Long-term Conditions): |
| Mr Angus MacNeil | | John Mason | | Mr Mike Weir | | Angus Robertson | | Pete Wishart | | Stewart Hosie |
| Line 10, at end add `, and notes the steps taken by the Scottish National Party-led Government in Scotland in this regard.'. |
| 569 | SAFETY OF MEDICINES | 26:1:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr David Amess | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Dr Desmond Turner |
| | Mr Eric Martlew | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House believes that the safety of medicines should be established by the most reliable methods available in order to reduce the large and increasing toll of serious adverse drug reactions; and calls on the Government to initiate an unprecedented comparison of currently required animal tests with a set of human biology-based tests, as required by the Safety of Medicines (Evaluation) Bill, to see which is the most effective means to predict the safety of medicines for patients. |
| 581 | FOOD LABELLING AND THE WELFARE OF CHICKENS | 26:1:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George |
| | Tony Baldry | Mr Tim Yeo | Joan Ryan | | | Mr Adrian Bailey | John Battle | Eric Joyce | | | Mr Peter Bone |
| That this House believes that all chicken meat, including imported chicken meat, should be labelled as to farming method and preferably stocking density; further believes the labelling regulation that requires packs of shell eggs to be labelled as to production method should be extended to chicken meat; congratulates Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Compassion in World Farming on their Chicken Out! campaign calling on supermarkets to introduce labelling as to farming method to allow consumers to make informed choices; notes that most UK chickens are still reared intensively in overcrowded conditions and have been bred to grow so quickly that many suffer from lameness and heart problems; and calls on the Government to make it a requirement for all chicken producers to meet the conditions of the RSPCA's Freedom Food scheme. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Mike Hancock's proposed Motion (Food Labelling and the Welfare of Chickens): |
| Line 9, after `Government', insert `to work with the European Union to'. |
| 588 | BLINDNESS PREVENTION AND PEOPLE WITH DIABETES | 26:1:09 |
| Mr George Howarth | | Helen Southworth | | Rosemary McKenna | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Peter Bottomley | | Graham Stringer |
| That this House regrets that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among the working age population in the UK; considers that all people with diabetes should have access to free annual retinal screening with a digital camera; welcomes the progress made by many primary care trusts across England in implementing retinal screening programmes for people with diabetes, but is concerned that the latest figures from the Department of Health show that 28 per cent. of people with diabetes are at risk of losing their sight because they have not received screening and 6.9 per cent. of these have not even been offered it; commends the ongoing campaign from Diabetes UK that calls for everyone with diabetes to have access to high quality, annual retinal screening and appropriate follow-up treatment as necessary; and calls on primary care trusts to do more to reduce the number of people who do not respond to screening invitations. |
| 653 | REPORT ON MAP OF GAPS: FUNDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SERVICES | 2:2:09 |
| Julie Morgan | | John Bercow | | Lynne Featherstone | | Mr Terry Rooney | | Peter Bottomley | | Judy Mallaber |
| That this House welcomes the `Map of Gaps' report and website by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the End Violence Against Women coalition; notes with alarm that three million women across the UK experience violence each year; further notes that over a quarter of local authority areas across Britain have no specialised violence against women support services such as rape crisis centres, refuges, domestic violence outreach projects and services for black and minority ethnic women; recognises the need for local authorities and other public bodies to undertake needs assessments under their gender equality schemes and to ensure both sufficiency and diversity of provision; encourages local strategic partnerships to prioritise tackling violence against women, including within local area agreements; welcomes the Government's commitment to consult on a Violence Against Women strategy; and calls on the Government urgently to establish a funding strategy and work with local strategic partnerships to ensure that women's access to support does not depend on where they live. |
| 660 | PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY OF TRIDENT REPLACEMENT | 3:2:09 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Mr Dai Davies | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| | Mr Barry Sheerman | Mr Eddie McGrady |
| That this House recalls the commitment given during the parliamentary debate on the prospective programme for the replacement of the Trident system on 14 March 2007, Official Report, column 309, by the then Foreign Secretary, the right hon. Member for Derby South, that the Government would ensure regular reports to Parliament as the programme proceeds; contrasts this with the answer given by the Permanent Under Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Sir Bill Jeffrey, in oral evidence to the Public Accounts Committee on 19 November 2008, when it was highlighted that the Ministry of Defence had announced its intention to conclude the Initial Gate decision in September 2009, during the parliamentary recess, that these would normally be decisions taken by Ministers; notes that the Secretary of State for Defence said in a written Answer on 10 December 2008, Official Report, column 341W, that decisions will be taken on the Initial Gate in autumn 2009 and that the Government proposed to update Parliament on progress after Initial Gate; believes this undermines the commitment made to Parliament by the Foreign Secretary in March 2007; and requests that the Initial Gate decision be delayed until Parliament is in session and can be presented with the report for scrutiny. |
| 671 | CLOSURE OF CHURCHES IN RANGOON | 3:2:09 |
| John Bercow | | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | Mr Stephen Crabb | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House expresses deep concern at recent events in Burma with authorities in Rangoon ordering that services cease in at least a 100 local churches with a threat of prison for non-compliance; notes the concern of some of the local Christians who believe that the immediate cause of the crackdown is church involvement in providing relief for victims of Cyclone Nargis; further notes continued widespread discrimination against religious minorities and in some places violent persecution of Christians and Muslims in other parts of Burma; calls on the Government to raise concerns about religious freedom with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); urges the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief to investigate violations of religious freedom in Burma; and calls on the United Nations Secretary General to increase and intensify efforts to urge the SPDC to cease its widespread violation of human rights, including violations of religious freedom, to release all political prisoners, to open all parts of the country to unhindered access for international humanitarian organisations and to engage in meaningful tripartite dialogue with the National League for Democracy and the ethnic nationalities. |
| 678 | PROTECTION FOR SEALS | 3:2:09 |
| Paddy Tipping | | Mr David Amess | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | David Taylor |
| That this House recognises the UK's international obligations to maintain its globally important seal populations at a favourable conservation status; notes that seal populations remain depleted and are threatened by further outbreaks of the phocine distemper virus and remain under increasing threat from climate change, depletion of prey species pollution and deliberate killing; notes with extreme concern scientific reports of a frightening decline in the population of common seals in UK waters; further notes that an estimated 5,000 seals are shot in Scottish waters by the salmon industry; believes that the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 is outdated and in urgent need of review or replacement; and calls on the Government to implement an immediate and comprehensive ban on the deliberate killing of all seals, to replace the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 with legislation for the comprehensive protection of seals in the forthcoming Marine Bill and to liaise with the Scottish Executive to this end. |
| 685 | ASSESSMENT AND TESTING IN SCHOOLS | 4:2:09 |
| Mark Fisher | | Paul Holmes | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones | | Mr David Crausby |
| That this House notes the Government's attempt, through the School Report Card, to shift the emphasis from school league tables of test and examination results to more meaningful performance and accountability measures, but is concerned that the proposals may create even more unnecessary accountability burdens on schools; whilst welcoming the decision to abolish National Curriculum tests at Key Stage 3, believes it is incomprehensible that teacher assessment is deemed appropriate for secondary and not primary schools; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce a similar system to that in Wales by removing high stakes end of key stage tests at age seven and 11, replacing them with meaningful assessments which inform teaching and learning. |
| Colin Challen | | John Hemming | | Mr David Chaytor | | Kate Hoey | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Peter Ainsworth |
| | Mr Keith Simpson | Mike Gapes | Mr John Grogan | | | Geraldine Smith | Mr Martyn Jones | Bill Wiggin | | | Mr Philip Dunne | Grant Shapps | John Penrose | | | Gordon Banks |
| That this House welcomes the launch of the We Support Solar campaign; notes that globally solar photovoltaic (PV) will be a key climate change mitigation technology and that solar PV in the UK can play an important role in contributing to the UK 2020 renewable energy target; expresses its concern at the negative treatment of solar photovoltaics in the Government's 2008 renewable energy strategy consultation; and urges Ministers to ensure that the potential of the technology to deliver significant carbon dioxide reductions in the built environment, to make a significant contribution to the 2020 target and to deliver many tens of thousands of new green UK jobs is supported in the final renewable energy strategy document. |
| 713 | BRITISH MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO COLOMBIA | 5:2:09 |
| Tony Lloyd | | Mr Frank Doran | | John Bercow | | Mr Edward Davey | | Peter Bottomley | | Jim Dobbin |
| | Stephen Pound | Judy Mallaber | Alun Michael |
| That this House notes with concern the increase in trades unionists assassinated in Colombia during 2008 as compared to the number killed in 2007; further notes the recent statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that she believes the Colombian security forces to be involved in `widespread and systematic' killings of civilians; welcomes the findings of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in relation to British policy towards Colombia, and specifically draws attention to the Committee's conclusion that UK military assistance to Colombia is `inappropriate' given the `serious' human rights situation in Colombia; and calls on the Government to freeze UK military assistance to Colombia until the Colombian regime fully implements the repeated human rights recommendations made by the UN. |
| 735 | BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR PARENTERAL AND ENTERAL NUTRITION'S REPORT ON COMBATING MALNUTRITION | 9:2:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Mark Hunter | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House welcomes the report Combating Malnutrition by the Advisory Group on Malnutrition led by British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; thanks the Advisory Group's members for giving up their time to identify the steps which can be taken by the Government and by all those with caring responsibilities to address the condition; expresses concern over the Advisory Group's finding that three million people are malnourished in the UK at any one time and that the total costs to the public purse of disease-related malnutrition are in excess of £13 billion per annum; notes the findings of the Advisory Group that malnutrition is closely linked to socio-economic factors such as deprivation and that as a result the burden of malnutrition exacerbates health inequalities; endorses the Advisory Group's recommendation for joined-up action by the Government, the NHS, the voluntary sector and other parties to work together to tackle malnutrition; calls on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider the case for including malnutrition in the Quality and Outcomes Framework of the General Medical Services contract from 2010-11; and further calls on the Government to ensure that as many of the Advisory Group's recommendations are implemented in full and as soon as possible, including the requirement to undertake nutritional screening in line with the recommendations already made by NICE. |
| 748 | CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY | 10:2:09 |
| Mr Mark Prisk | | John Penrose | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | | Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown | | Grant Shapps | | Mr Brian Binley |
| | Angela Watkinson | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House notes the importance of the construction industry to the United Kingdom economy and to jobs; is concerned at the collapse of house building and other construction activity; is further concerned that the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors estimates some 300,000 jobs will be lost as a result; and calls on the Government to reduce red tape, simplify business taxes and implement an effective national loan guarantee scheme for viable firms in construction at the earliest opportunity. |
| 768 | SALE OF TOBACCO FROM VENDING MACHINES | 11:2:09 |
| Chris Ruane | | Mr Roger Williams | | Dr Howard Stoate | | Mr Brian Binley | | Bob Russell | | Andrew Miller |
| | Derek Twigg | Mrs Joan Humble | Mrs Louise Ellman | | | Mrs Anne McGuire | Dan Rogerson | Danny Alexander |
| That this House supports the call of over 100 health organisations for urgent action to ensure a new generation of young people do not become smokers; believes that children's easy access to cigarettes through tobacco vending machines undermines other important tobacco control measures; notes that the British Heart Foundation estimates that over 46,000 11 to 15 year-old regular smokers bought cigarettes through vending machines in England and Wales in 2006; recognises that this number may now be higher as the age limit for purchasing tobacco has been extended from 16 to 18 years; expresses concern that age verification systems for vending machines using remote-controls, tokens, identity cards or other means are insecure; further notes the UK's commitments as a party to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its guidelines which recommend banning sales of tobacco from vending machines as they constitute a means of advertising and promotion for smoking; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to bring an immediate end to all sales of tobacco products from vending machines in England and Wales through the Health Bill. |
| 779 | THALIDOMIDE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (No. 2) | 11:2:09 |
| Mr Martin Caton | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr John Leech | | Dr Desmond Turner | | David Taylor |
| | Mr Andrew Mackay | Dr Phyllis Starkey | Sir Peter Viggers | | | Mr Tim Yeo | Sir Michael Spicer | Mr Adrian Bailey | | | Mr Dennis Skinner | Andrew Miller | Mr David Crausby | | | Mr David Chaytor | Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas | Mr Peter Kilfoyle | | | Malcolm Bruce | Mr Eddie McGrady | Mr Mike Weir | | | Jenny Willott | Philip Davies |
| That this House recalls that side effects of the drug Thalidomide, prescribed for prevention of morning sickness in the 1960s and 1970s, caused nearly 500 babies to be born with a range of severe disabilities; pays tribute to the campaign by journalists, politicians and others that eventually resulted in the manufacturers having to increase their compensation offer tenfold; nevertheless recognises, however, that this could not take account of unforeseen future problems arising from Thalidomide; notes that, as the surviving victims enter their 40s and 50s, many of them face a host of new problems as their bodies suffer from the wear and tear that the overuse of certain muscles has caused, dramatically restricting movement and pushing the cost of mobility up; believes that these people should now receive direct help from the state; and calls on the Government to introduce a financial assistance package to improve the lives of Thalidomide victims. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Martin Caton's proposed Motion (Thalidomide and Financial Assistance (No. 2)): |
| Frank Cook | | Mark Durkan | | Mrs Iris Robinson | | Mr Phil Willis |
| Line 11, at end add `at the earliest date.'. |
| 803 | EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND THE FOOD INDUSTRY | 12:2:09 |
| Joan Walley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Dr Brian Iddon | | David Taylor | | Andrew George | | Mr Roger Godsiff |
| That this House welcomes the Children's Food Campaign report Through the back door; notes with concern its findings that many organisations within the food industry are producing educational materials that promote food to children and contain incorrect and misleading nutritional information designed to be taught in schools as fact; further welcomes the condemnation of these packs by the Minister of State for Health; and calls on the Department for Children, Schools and Families to introduce stronger regulation of educational materials produced by companies and trade bodies as soon as possible. |
| 814 | DEPORTATIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 23:2:09 |
| Dr Rudi Vis | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Alan Meale | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Bob Laxton | Julie Morgan |
| That this House believes that in spite of the decision made by immigration judges to refuse to accept the compelling evidence of ill-treatment of asylum seekers who are forcibly returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the recent Country Guidance case, there is information from reliable sources demonstrating that there is very real persecution by the security services at the behest of President Kabila himself of anyone perceived to be in opposition to his regime, including arrest, torture and extrajudicial execution, particularly in the Kinshasa, Bas-Congo and Equateur areas; further believes that asylum seekers sent back from the UK will be viewed as political dissidents and that their physical integrity will be at risk if deported; and further believes that given the gravely unstable conditions in the country as a whole, the appalling human rights record and the fact that average life expectancy is below 40 years old, there should be an immediate moratorium on forced returns to that country. |
| 826 | STEPS RESEARCH INTO DEVELOPMENT DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP | 23:2:09 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Ian Stewart | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Dr Desmond Turner | | Mr Gordon Prentice |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Colin Challen |
| That this House warmly welcomes Baby Hip Health Awareness Week from 23 to 28 February 2009, organised by the STEPS charity, which provides support and information for lower limb conditions in children and young adults; notes that the aim of the national screening policy is to identify and treat infants with a hip abnormality at an early stage, with a post-birth hospital check and another check at six to eight weeks, because late diagnosis can lead to complex surgery and lifelong problems, often impacting on psychological development; further notes that up to 2,000 children a year are diagnosed with development dysplasia of the hip (DDH) which requires treatment involving splints and plaster body casts; is concerned, therefore that a STEPS survey of acute trusts and of primary care trusts (PCTs) showed a staggering gap in health policy which, if it were correctly followed, could detect DDH at an early age and prevent years of pain and emotional distress; is disappointed that many PCTs refuse to take responsibility for checking babies' hips, leaving it to GPs and creating massive inconsistency in procedure; further welcomes the STEPS survey of parents with children affected by lower limb conditions which shows that while many praised the care received during treatment for DDH, the majority felt that they were not informed about the condition, which was not clearly explained to them; and urges the Government to meet STEPS to investigate how these shortcomings can be overcome. |
| 845 | DEFORESTATION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVESTOCK | 23:2:09 |
| Andrew George | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Mr David Drew | | Tony Baldry |
| That this House notes that global livestock and animal feed production contributes to 18 per cent. of global greenhouse gas emissions and is currently the most significant driver of biodiversity loss worldwide; further notes that the large-scale conversion of forests and other valuable habitats into croplands for the production of animal feeds such as soy for intensive livestock farming is a cause of particular concern; recognises the associated impacts on small farmers and communities in developing countries who are often forced off their land; urges the Government to undertake an assessment of the scale and impact of this trend and the UK's role in it, and to gauge whether the UK's livestock industry has become overly dependent on soy-based animal feed which has such an unwelcome and unsustainable impact upon the environment; and calls on the Government to bring forward the measures necessary to reduce the UK's impact on global greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss from the livestock sector whilst avoiding the export of these impacts overseas and supporting a viable, sustainable and thriving UK farming industry. |
| 858 | ELIZABETH PROSSER | 24:2:09 |
| Mark Williams | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Hunter | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House notes with concern that US authorities have made a request to extradite Mrs Elizabeth Prosser on charges of child abduction and obtaining money by deception; further notes that Mrs Prosser is charged with abducting her own daughter and that as such the case is highly emotive, that there are significant mitigating factors and that the sums of money involved are negligible; acknowledges that because of concerns over Mrs Prosser's health, the Home Office has delayed its decision; further notes that recent medical reports show that her condition would be worsened and that substantial damage to her health would be done by extraditing her; recognises that the Government has rejected attempts to extradite Mrs Prosser previously; believes that given her health problems and the mitigating factors surrounding the offences of which she is accused, extraditing Mrs Prosser would neither be humane nor in the public interest; and urges the Home Office to intervene. |
| 864 | SEND MY FRIEND TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN 2009 | 24:2:09 |
| John Battle | | Mark Durkan | | Bob Russell | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House welcomes the launch of Send My Friend to School 2009 organised by the Global Campaign for Education; notes that on 22 April millions of people in over 100 countries will take part in The Big Read to highlight the importance of literacy; calls on world leaders to redouble their efforts to meet the promise made in 2000 that every child in the world would complete a quality education by 2015; notes that over 70 million children still do not get a chance to go to school; and urges the Government to live up to its spending commitments on education in developing countries to ensure that £1 billion per year is spent between 2010 and 2015, and that those countries furthest from achieving education for all by 2015 are prioritised for funding. |
| 868 | TARGETS FOR 2020 IN THE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT 2008 | 24:2:09 |
| Nigel Griffiths | | John Battle | | Paddy Tipping | | Janet Anderson | | Colin Burgon | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House welcomes the Climate Change Act 2008 as the world's first example of a government adopting a legally binding target based on the scientific evidence of the scale of greenhouse gas emissions reductions required to avoid dangerous climate change; welcomes the Committee on Climate Change's advice for an intended 42 per cent. 2020 target; believes adopting this target now would show continued international leadership on climate change legislation; and calls on the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to adopt an immediate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions within the UK by 42 per cent. by 2020. |
| 879 | ACTION MESOTHELIOMA 2009 CAMPAIGN | 24:2:09 |
| Mr Michael Clapham | | Jim Sheridan | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Bob Russell | | Mr Dennis Skinner | | Gwyn Prosser |
| That this House welcomes the Action Mesothelioma campaign to improve treatment and conditions for people with the asbestos-related chest cancer; further welcomes the positive assessment that has been made by many patients of their medical care in the British Lung Foundation's survey of people affected by mesothelioma; notes with concern that many patients say they have not received guidance in relation to end of life care or been given the option to take part in medical trials; further notes the results of a British Lung Foundation audit of cancer networks, which shows the the Mesothelioma Framework has a positive impact on cancer networks throughout England; further notes with concern that many clinicians and nurses do not have the time or resources fully to implement this guidance; recognises that national guidelines are needed in order to ensure that coroners' inquiries following a death from mesothelioma are carried out in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the bereaved; and calls on the Government to ensure that the proposals contained in the Coroners and Justice Bill will lead to effective action to improve the standards of coroners' investigations across England and Wales. |
| 880 | ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND AND CLIMATE CHANGE | 25:2:09 |
| Martin Horwood | | Mark Durkan | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones | | John McDonnell |
| | Sir Gerald Kaufman | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that one of the most significant outcomes of the recent financial crisis has been the Government's acquisition of a majority stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS); further notes that RBS has been identified by campaign groups People and Planet and Platform as the UK bank that is the most heavily involved in financing the expansion of fossil fuel projects around the world, and that the carbon dioxide emissions embedded in RBS's project finance in 2006 were calculated to be greater than the carbon dioxide emissions of Scotland itself; believes that the fact that banks play such a large role in providing finance to projects that are exacerbating climate change has been wholly unaddressed in Government policy; further believes that there is an urgent need for the Government's new banking regulations to include environmental concerns as well as financial concerns; calls on the Government to use its majority share in RBS to prioritise climate change as a principal concern in RBS's lending decisions; further calls on the Government to require RBS to calculate, publish and cap embedded emissions resulting from its lending to fossil fuel projects, and to set annual targets for reducing these emissions; and further calls on the Government to promote RBS investments in renewable energy, new green jobs and the infrastructure needed to decarbonise the economy. |
| 885 | DISPLAY OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS | 25:2:09 |
| Mike Penning | | Mr Mark Prisk | | James Brokenshire | | Justine Greening | | Mr David Burrowes | | Mr Greg Hands |
| | Mr Robert N. Wareing | Mr George Galloway | Mark Williams |
| That this House acknowledges the hard work of small and independent retailers; congratulates them on the vital role they play in many diverse communities across the country; recognises the ongoing economic and commercial pressures threatening their viability and survival; is concerned that the regulatory burden placed upon them should be maintained at an appropriate level; expresses its concern that proposed measures to ban the display of tobacco products in small shops are not balanced, proportionate or firmly evidence-based; calls upon the Government to further consider the effects of the measures on the viability of small shops and the market in illicit tobacco; welcomes Government action to address illegal sales of tobacco; and urges the Government to pursue the most effective and proven measures by which under-18 year olds can be deterred from smoking. |
| As an Amendment to Mike Penning's proposed Motion (Display of Tobacco Products): |
| David Taylor | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | John Austin |
| Line 5, leave out from `level' to `tobacco' in line 8 and insert, `notes that, according to small shop owners, tobacco sales typically account for 25 per cent. of turnover but only account for around four per cent. of their net profits; further welcomes the long-term decline in smoking prevalence in England to 22 per cent. in 2006 and to six per cent. amongst 11 to 15 year-olds in 2007, the lowest levels since records began; and congratulates the Heart of England Co-operative on their policy of donating to charity the profits they make from tobacco sales.'. |
| 909 | INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY | 26:2:09 |
| Colin Challen | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones | | John McDonnell | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House regrets that the UK is not giving the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) its wholehearted support; notes that global subsidies to renewable energy have amounted to one-eighth of those given to fossil fuels and that a global approach to the promotion of renewable energy is urgently called for; and therefore urges the Government to recognise that it cannot claim to be a global leader on tackling climate change if it is not prepared to will the means to mitigate it and join with 76 other signatory countries seeking to make IRENA work. |
| 916 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL JOURNALISM | 26:2:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Mr Dai Davies | | Mr Don Foster | | Mr David Chaytor | | Hywel Williams | | Paul Holmes |
| That this House regrets the trend of cutbacks and lack of investment in local journalism by the owners of local news providers; notes that since the summer of 2008 over 1,000 editorial posts in local news have been cut or left unfilled and that dozens of local newspaper offices have closed despite local newspapers remaining viable and profitable businesses from which huge sums having been returned to shareholders over a number of years and where the pay of directors has rocketed; further notes that local journalists are over-worked, often being forced to cover wider areas owing to staffing cutbacks; further notes that coverage of court trials, council meetings and local elections is in massive decline; re-affirms a commitment to high quality local journalism as an integral part of engaging people in their community, strengthening local identities and democracy; believes that Government action in this area must focus on supporting local journalism not simply propping up companies that have already extracted millions of pounds from their businesses whilst cutting investment in editorial resources; and therefore calls on the Government to explore innovative solutions to preserve local journalism and to ensure that state support, either in the form of deregulatory measures or financial help, is given only where firm guarantees on investment in local journalism are secured. |
| 918 | NATIONAL HOUSING FEDERATION AND PREPAYMENT METER CUSTOMERS | 26:2:09 |
| John Austin | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Paul Holmes | | Lynne Jones | | John McDonnell |
| That this House welcomes Government assurances that, if necessary, legislation would be introduced to outlaw the overcharging of prepayment meter customers; notes that E.ON, Scottish Power and npower have equalised charges which they make to their prepayment meter customers with those who pay by quarterly bill, but that British Gas, EDF and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) continue to charge their prepay customers more; further notes that the National Housing Federation calculates that British Gas, EDF and SSE will overcharge their 1.7 million prepay customers by £8.6 million every month over the next year, with British Gas charging its prepayment customers £77 more over 2009 than those on quarterly bills, SSE charging £38 more and EDF charging £19 more; refutes the claim by Ofgem that it has been successful in its campaign to stop this overcharging; congratulates the National Housing Federation on championing the cause of some of the most vulnerable people on low incomes; and believes it is time for the Government to introduce legislation to equalise prepay bills with those charged to people on a quarterly basis. |
| 924 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Colour Sergeant John Cecil, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 35, from Plymouth, Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 24 from Llandudno, Captain Philip Stuart Guy, Royal Marines, aged 29, from Skipton, Yorkshire, Marine Sholto Hedenskog, Royal Marines, aged 26, from Cape Town, South Africa, Sergeant Les Hehir, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 34, from Poole in Dorset, Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour RN, 148 Commando Battery Royal Artillery, aged 29, from Poole in Dorset, Warrant Officer Second Class Mark Stratford, Royal Marines, aged 39, from Plymouth, Major Jason Ward, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 34, from Torquay in Devon, Lieutenant Philip Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall, Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall, Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, Flight Lieutenant Kevin Barry Main, Pilot, IX (B) Squadron and Flight Lieutenant David Rhys Williams Navigator, IX (B) Squadron. |
| 925 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 2) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Sapper Luke Allsopp, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), aged 24 from North London, Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), aged 36 from Essex, Sergeant Steven Roberts, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, aged 33 from Bradford, Lance Corporal Barry Stephen, 1st Battalion The Black Watch, aged 31 from Perth, Corporal Stephen Allbutt, aged 35 from Stoke-on-Trent, and Trooper David Clarke, aged 19 from Littleworth, Staffordshire both from the Queen's Royal Lancers, Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, Household Cavalry Regiment, aged 25 from Windsor, Major Steve Ballard, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, aged 33, from Swindon, Marine Christopher Maddison, 9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, aged 24 from Scarborough, Lance Corporal Shaun Brierly, 212 Signal Squadron, 1 (UK) Armoured Division and Signal Regiment, aged 28 from West Yorkshire, Staff Sergeant Chris Muir, Army School of Ammunition, Royal Logistic Corps, aged 32 from Romsey in Hampshire, Lieutenant Alexander Tweedie, aged 25, and Lance Corporal Karl Shearer, both from the Household Cavalry Regiment, Fusilier Kelan Turrington, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged 18, Lance Corporal Ian Malone, 1st Battalion, aged 28 from Dublin, and Piper Christopher Muzvuru, aged 21 from Zimbabwe both from the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. |
| 926 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 3) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Lance Corporal James McCue, 7 Air Assault Battalion, REME, aged 27 from Paisley, Private Andrew Kelly, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, aged 18 from Tavistock, Gunner Duncan Pritchard, 16 Squadron RAF Regiment, aged 22, Corporal David Shepherd, Royal Air Force Police, aged 34, Mr Leonard Harvey, aged 55, based at Wattisham in Suffolk, Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, aged 41 from Chessington, Corporal Russell Aston, aged 30 from Swadlincote, Corporal Paul Long, aged 24 from Colchester, Corporal Simon Miller, aged 21 from Washington, Tyne and Wear, Lance-Corporal Benjamin Hyde, aged 23 from Northallerton in Yorkshire, Lance-Corporal Thomas Keys, aged 20 from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala in Wales, all of 156 Provost Company, Captain James Linton, 40 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, aged 43 from Warminster, Private Jason Smith, 52nd Lowland Regiment, aged 32 from Hawick, Captain David Jones, Queen's Lancashire Regiment, aged 29 from Louth in Lincolnshire, Major Matthew Titchener, 150 Provost Company, aged 32 from Southport, Merseyside, Company Sergeant Major Colin Wall, 150 Provost Company, aged 34 from Crawleyside, County Durham, Corporal Dewi Pritchard, 116 Provost Company, aged 35 from Bridgend, Fusilier Russell Beeston, 52nd Lowland Regiment, aged 26 from Govan, Sergeant John Nightingale, 217 Transport Squadron, aged 32 from Leeds, Corporal Ian Plank, Royal Marines, aged 31 from Poole, and Private Ryan Thomas, Royal Regiment of Wales, aged 18 from Resolven, near Neath in Glamorgan. |
| 927 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 4) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Major James Stenner, Welsh Guards, aged 30 from Monmouthshire, Sergeant Norman Patterson, Cheshire Regiment, aged 28 from Staffordshire, Lance Corporal Andrew Craw, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, aged 21 from Clackmannanshire, Rifleman Vincent Windsor, Royal Green Jackets, aged 23 from Oxfordshire, Sapper Robert Thomson, Royal Engineers, aged 22 from West Lothian, Corporal Richard Ivell, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, aged 29 from near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Fusilier Gordon Gentle, Royal Highland Fusiliers, aged 19 from Glasgow, Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover, 33 Squadron RAF, aged 30, Private Christopher Rayment, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, aged 22 from London, Private Lee O'Callaghan, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, aged 20 from London, Private Marc Ferns, The Black Watch, aged 21 from Glenrothes in Fife, Lance Corporal Paul Thomas, The Light Infantry, aged 29 from Welshpool, Fusilier Stephen Jones, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, aged 22 from Denbeigh, Corporal Marc Taylor, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, aged 27 from Ellesmere Port, Gunner David Lawrence, Royal Artillery, aged 25 from Walsall, Private Kevin McHale, The Black Watch, aged 27 from Lochgelly in Fife, Staff Sergeant Denise Michelle Rose, Royal Military Police, aged 34 from Liverpool, Sergeant Stuart Gray, The Black Watch, age 31 from Dunfermline, Fife, Private Paul Lowe, The Black Watch, aged 19 from Fife, and Private Scott McArdle, The Black Watch, aged 22 from Glenrothes. |
| 928 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 5) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Private Pita Tukutukuwaqa, The Black Watch, aged 27 from Fiji, Sergeant Paul Connolly, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, aged 33 from Crawley in West Sussex, Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, Headquarters Strike Command, aged 39, Flight Lieutenant David Stead, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 35 from Yorkshire, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 25, Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 35, Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 42, Chief Technician Richard Brown, RAF Lyneham, aged 40, Flight Sergeant Mark Gibson, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 34, Sergeant Robert O'Connor, RAF Lyneham, aged 38, Corporal David Williams, RAF Lyneham, aged 37, Acting Lance Corporal Steven Jones, Royal Signals, aged 25 from Fareham, Private Mark Dobson, Tyne-Tees Regiment, aged 41 from County Durham, Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield, 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, aged 24 from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury, The King's Royal Hussars, aged 21 from East Riding, Yorkshire, Signaller Paul William Didsbury, 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), aged 18, Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, aged 26 from Nuneaton, Private Leon Spicer, aged 26 from Tamworth, and Private Phillip Hewett, aged 21 from Tamworth, all from the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment. |
| 929 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 6) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Fusilier Donal Anthony Meade, aged 20 from Plumstead in South East London, and Fusilier Stephen Robert Manning, aged 22 from Erith, Kent both from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Major Matthew Bacon, Intelligence Corps, aged 34 from London, Captain Ken Masters, Royal Military Police, aged 40, Sergeant Chris Hickey, 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards, aged 30, Sergeant John Jones, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged 31, from Castle Bromwich, Lance Corporal Allan Douglas, Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), aged 22 from Aberdeen, Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, aged 31, Trooper Carl Smith, 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) aged 23 from Kettering, Captain Richard Holmes, aged 28 and Private Lee Ellis, aged 23, both from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, Lieutenant Richard Palmer, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, aged 27, Wing Commander John Coxen RAF, aged 46 from Liverpool, Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman, Fleet Air Arm aged 40, Captain David Dobson, Army Air Corps, aged 27, Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill RAF, aged 32 from Canterbury, Marine Paul Collins, aged 21, Private Joseva Lewaicei, aged 25 from Lautoka, Fiji, and Private Adam Morris, aged 19 from Leicester, both from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall, aged 26 from Battersea, and Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly, aged 27 from Runcorn, both from the Queen's Dragoon Guards. |
| 930 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 7) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Corporal John Johnston Cosby, 1st Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, aged 28 from Belfast, Corporal Matthew Cornish, of 1 LI killed in Iraq, aged 29 from Yorkshire, Gunner Samuela Vanua, aged 27 from Fiji, and Gunner Stephen Robert Wright, aged 20 from Preston, Lancashire, both from 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, Gunner Lee Thornton, 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 22 from Blackpool, Lance Corporal Dennis Brady, Royal Army Medical Corps, aged 37 from Barrow-in Furness, Lieutenant Tom Tanswell 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 27 from London, Kingsman Jamie Lee Hancock, 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 19 from Wigan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, aged 35 from Wellingborough, Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, Intelligence Corps, aged 34 from Ipswich, Corporal Ben Nowak, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 27 from Liverpool, Marine Jason Hylton, 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, aged 33 from Burton on Trent, Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth, the Parachute Regiment, aged 35, Sergeant Graham Hesketh, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 35 from Liverpool, Sergeant Wayne Rees, The Queen's Royal Lancers, aged 36 from Nottingham, Kingsman Alex Green, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 21 from Warrington and Private Michael Tench, 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, aged 18 from Sunderland. |
| 931 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 8) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Second Lieutenant Jonathan Carlos Bracho-Cooke, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 24 from Hove, Private Luke Daniel Simpson, 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, aged 21 from Howden, near York, Rifleman Daniel Lee Coffey, Second Battalion The Rifles, aged 21 from Exeter, Private Johnathon Dany Wysoczan, First Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment, aged 21 from Stoke on Trent, Kingsman Wilson, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 28 from Workington, Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, of the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, aged 18 from Durham, Second Lieutenant Joanna Yorke Dyer, aged 24 from Yeovil, Corporal Kris O'Neill, Royal Army Medical Corps, aged 27 from Catterick, Private Eleanor Dlugosz, Royal Army Medical Corps, aged 19, from Southampton, Kingsman Adam James Smith, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 19 from the Isle of Man, Colour Sergeant M L Powell, aged 37 from South Wales, Sergeant Mark J McLaren, Royal Air Force, aged 27 from Northumberland, Corporal Ben Leaning, The Queen's Royal Lancers, aged 24 from Scunthorpe, Trooper Kristen Turton, The Queen's Royal Lancers, aged 27 from Grimsby, Kingsman Alan Joseph Jones, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 20 from Liverpool, Rifleman Paul Donnachie, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, aged 18 from Reading, and Major Nick Bateson, Corps of Royal Signals, aged 49 from Kent. |
| As an Amendment to Paul Flynn's proposed Motion (Fatalities in Iraq (No. 8)): |
| David T. C. Davies | | Adam Price |
| Line 15, at end add `and Jamie Gunn, aged 21 from Monmouth, of the 1st Battalion The Rifles.'. |
| 932 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 9) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mr Alex Salmond |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Private Kevin Thompson, Royal Logistic Corps, aged 21 from Lancaster, Corporal Jeremy Brookes, 4th Battalion the Rifles, aged 28 from Birmingham, Corporal Rodney Wilson, aged 30, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, Lance Corporal James Cartwright, aged 21, from Badger Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, Major Paul Harding 4th Battalion The Rifles, aged 48, from Winchester, Corporal John Rigby 4th Battalion The Rifles, aged 24 from Rye, Corporal Paul Joszko, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh (The Royal Regiment of Wales), aged 28 from Mountain Ash, Wales, Private Scott Kennedy, Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, aged 20 from Oakley, Dunfermline, Private James Kerr, Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, aged 20 from Cowdenbeath, Rifleman Edward Vakabua 4th Battalion The Rifles, aged 23 from Fiji, Lance Corporal Ryan Francis 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, aged 23 from Llanelli, Corporal Christopher Read, of 158 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, aged 22 from Poole, Dorset, Senior Aircraftsman Matthew Caulwell, aged 22 from Birmingham, Senior Aircraftsman Christopher Dunsmore, aged 29 from Leicester, Senior Aircraftsman Peter McFerran, aged 24 from Connah's Quay, Lance Corporal Timothy Darren `Daz' Flowers of The Corps of Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, aged 25, and Corporal Steve Edwards of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, aged 35 from Thrapston, Northamptonshire. |
| 933 | FATALITIES IN IRAQ (No. 10) | 2:3:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House salutes the bravery of the armed forces serving in Iraq and records with sorrow the deaths of Private Craig Barber, of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, aged 20 from Ogmore Vale, Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard of No. 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, aged 20 from Rainworth, near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, Lance Sergeant Chris Casey, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards aged 27 from London, Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards aged 22 from Romford, Sergeant Eddie Collins, The Parachute Regiment, aged 33, Sergeant Mark Stansfield, 32 Close Support Squadron, UK Logistic Battalion, aged 32 from Oxfordshire, Lance Corporal Sarah Holmes, 29 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment, aged 26 from Wantage, Oxfordshire, Corporal Lee Fitzsimmons from Peterborough, Sergeant John Battersby from Lancashire, Guardsman Stephen Ferguson, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, aged 31 from Lanarkshire, Sergeant Duane `Baz' Barwood, 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, Royal Air Force, aged 41 from Carterton, Oxfordshire, Lance Corporal David Kenneth Wilson, 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, aged 27, from Huddersfield, Corporal Lee Churcher, 20th Armoured Brigade, aged 32, from Nuneaton, and Private Ryan Wrathall, 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, aged 21 from Surbiton, Surrey. |
| 937 | ARREST AND TRIAL OF BAHÁ'ÍS IN IRAN | 2:3:09 |
| Lembit Öpik | | Peter Luff | | David Lepper | | Ian Stewart | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Jim Cunningham | Sir Gerald Kaufman | Mr Eric Martlew | | | Mr Peter Robinson | Martin Horwood |
| That this House notes the arrests in March and May 2008 of Mahvash Sabet, Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm, members of an informal leadership council of the Iranian Bahá'i community; further notes with concern the announcement of 12 February 2009 by the deputy-prosecutor of Tehran that these seven Bahá'is are to face a revolutionary court to answer charges including, espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic, despite no evidence produced against them to date; observes that such accusations can merit capital punishment under Iranian law; is concerned that the charges against these Bahá'i community leaders may be motivated by a growing culture of anti-Bahá'i repression in Iran; and calls on the Government to protest to the Iranian authorities and press for the immediate release of these seven individuals. |
| 944 | INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND EQUAL PAY | 2:3:09 |
| Ms Katy Clark | | Chris McCafferty | | Lynne Jones | | Mrs Janet Dean | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Ms Diane Abbott |
| That this House recognises the importance of International Women's Day on 8 March which has been commemorated by the trades' union movement since 1908, when thousands of women garment workers in New York took to the streets to demand trade union rights and better pay and conditions, and is now an annual event on which to celebrate women's progress towards equality around the world and to highlight the inequalities that still persist between men and women; notes with concern that women in the civil service earn on average 14 per cent. less than their male counterparts, meaning that Government employees suffer greater pay inequality than the national average; further notes that there are over 200 delegated pay negotiations in the civil service which perpetuate the pay differences and sex bias both between and within Government departments; further notes that the new Equality Bill is aimed at bringing together existing discrimination laws into one single Act which will include current equal pay laws and the gender equality duty; and believes that in order to make progress on closing the gender pay gap, cross-departmental equal pay audits must be made a legal requirement, central funding must be made available to departments to address pay inequality, and the gender equality duty must be extended to the private and voluntary sectors, and enforcement improved. |
| 948 | ANIMAL WELFARE IN CIRCUSES | 3:3:09 |
| John Austin | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Lee Scott | | Bob Russell | | Lynne Jones | | Mark Hunter |
| That this House shares the RSPCA's deep concern at the recent introduction of elephants into a circus in Nottinghamshire; hopes that the public will boycott the circus in protest; believes that the Government should intervene in this case and state categorically that it opposes the use of wild species in circuses; and urges the Government to bring forward proposals to ban the use of wild animals in circuses without further delay. |
| 960 | LET THEM WORK CAMPAIGN | 3:3:09 |
| Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan | | Bob Russell | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House welcomes the Let Them Work campaign to allow asylum seekers permission to work while they are waiting for a decision about their claim; notes with concern that asylum seekers who fled persecution in their own countries are among the most vulnerable people in the UK and are being denied the opportunity to work to support themselves and their families, to pay taxes, and to contribute to the economy; is additionally concerned about the situation of those asylum seekers without status who are unable to return home, many of whom spend years in limbo and are reliant on charity hand-outs or forced into illegal work just to survive; is alarmed that this leaves already vulnerable people open to destitution and exploitation; and therefore calls on the Government to allow asylum seekers to work if they have been waiting longer than six months for a full resolution on their asylum claim and to ensure that permission to work remains for people whose claim for asylum is refused, but who are unable to return home immediately through no fault of their own. |
| 963 | ARCHER REPORT INTO CONTAMINATED BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS | 3:3:09 |
| Mr Edward O'Hara | | Jenny Willott | | Charlotte Atkins | | Bob Spink | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| | Mike Gapes | Mr Adrian Bailey |
| That this House welcomes the publication of the Archer Report on the use of contaminated blood and blood products in NHS treatments and hopes that the victims of the use of such products will receive swift and appropriate recompense; and calls on the Government to make a full and speedy response to the report's findings and to make a commitment to implement its recommendations as soon as possible. |
| 976 | ANIMAL WELFARE IN CIRCUSES (No. 2) | 4:3:09 |
| Mark Pritchard | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | David Taylor | | Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House notes with concern the continuing use of non-domesticated animals in circuses and more recently the re-introduction of elephants by the Great British Circus; is increasingly concerned by the delay of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in reporting on increasing amounts of evidence surrounding poor animal welfare standards in circuses; believes that the report of the Chair of the Circus Working Group fails to provide reliable information on this subject; supports the work of the Captive Animals Protection Society and others in achieving an end to animal use in circuses; and urges the Government to maintain its commitment to ban the use of non-domesticated animals in travelling circuses and to limit the use of domesticated species under a strict, accountable and open licensing system. |
| 979 | BRISTOL TO LONDON RAIL LINE ELECTRIFICATION | 4:3:09 |
| Stephen Williams | | Mr Don Foster | | Steve Webb | | Mr David Heath | | Norman Baker | | Mr David Drew |
| That this House notes that the Great Western main railway line uses diesel trains originally brought into service in the 1970s and designed to travel at 125 miles per hour; believes that in the 21st century modern rolling stock travelling at higher speeds than those envisaged 40 years ago is a reasonable expectation for passengers; and further believes that the journey should be along a sustainable electrified line and that investment in high-speed rail for the West Country and other regions is preferable to an unsustainable expansion of aviation and a third runway at Heathrow Airport. |
| As an Amendment to Stephen Williams's proposed Motion (Bristol to London Rail Line Electrification): |
| Line 5, leave out from `line' to end. |
| 985 | WATER CHARGES FOR SCOUT GROUPS | 4:3:09 |
| John Battle | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | David Taylor | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews |
| That this House notes the enormous contribution scout groups and other voluntary organisations make in helping local communities; notes with dismay the water regulator Ofwat's decision to change the way water companies charge small charities and community groups for surface water run-off, and the impact that this will have on the financial future of organisations that rely on fund-raising and members' subscriptions for income, and are therefore particularly ill-placed to afford the huge increases in bills as a result; considers that this highlights the need to protect the ability of such organisations and the communities they serve to access water services; and therefore calls on Ofwat to support the Scout Association's call for a social tariff regime for community and voluntary groups by enabling such a pricing system to be used by water companies. |
| 994 | JOBS AND BUSINESSES IN THE UK LOGISTICS SECTOR | 5:3:09 |
| Gwyn Prosser | | Mr Greg Knight | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Paul Rowen |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Willie Rennie |
| That this House supports the goals of the Every Penny Counts campaign which is supporting jobs and businesses in the road freight sector; notes that the success of the British economy is dependent on the success of its logistics sector, which directly employs some 2.3 million people and indirectly supports the work of many millions of others; recognises that the current economic downturn has had a severe and highly damaging impact on the logistics sector, causing insolvencies in the sector to double from fourth quarter 2007 to fourth quarter 2008; notes with concern that increases in costs to the logistics sector's operations, such as increases to fuel duty and road vehicle testing charges are specifically targeting UK logistics companies that are struggling to stay afloat; and calls on policymakers to give greater priority to the impact of economic measures on the freight sector before more companies are forced out of business and more jobs are lost. |
| 1005 | FAIRTRADE CERTIFICATION FOR CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS | 9:3:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Malcolm Bruce | | Mr Andrew Mitchell | | Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Angela Watkinson | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House believes that the engagement of companies in Fairtrade initiatives is necessary to advance measures to improve the situation of food producers in developing countries; congratulates the Fairtrade Foundation on securing a commitment to Fairtrade certification for Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate; notes the positive impact this will have on cocoa-farming communities in Ghana; welcomes the work of the Fairtrade Foundation in gaining the support of such an iconic and popular British brand; calls on the Government to do all it can to promote Fairtrade products; and urges other British companies to follow Cadbury's lead through its work on the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership and in working with the Fairtrade movement, and to promote the important role that Fairtrade plays in improving the lives of food producers around the world. |
| 1010 | GREEN ENERGY BILL | 9:3:09 |
| Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Dr Alan Whitehead | | Colin Challen | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Simon Hughes | | Mr Oliver Letwin |
| | Miss Anne McIntosh | Mr Denis Murphy | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House supports the provisions contained within the Green Energy Bill introduced by the hon. Member for East Surrey and a cross-party group of hon. Members, on promoting the revision of the Government's microgeneration strategy, reforming planning law, and exempting microgeneration developments and energy efficiency measures from a potential council tax and business rate penalty, thereby ensuring that a range of measures designed to promote green energy through small scale renewable and sustainable sources will enable people and businesses to benefit from generating their own energy; recognises the need to use green energy to protect the environment and to slow down climate change; and therefore calls on the Government to support the Bill. |
| 1013 | LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENTAL CLOSURES | 9:3:09 |
| Mr Peter Kilfoyle | | Ann Clwyd | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Mr David Crausby | | Geraldine Smith | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House deplores the intention of the University of Liverpool to close down three departments - Philosophy, Politics and Communications and Statistics without any meaningful consultation; supports the resistance of staff and students to the threatened closures; and calls on the University Senate to reject these short-sighted plans of the university's strategic management team. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Peter Kilfoyle's proposed Motion (Liverpool University and Departmental Closures): |
| Line 4, leave out from `closures;' to end and add `and recognises that this is a natural consequence of an unregulated market in a publicly-funded service; and calls on the Government, through the Higher Education Funding Council for England, to exert more control over what courses are provided at public expense when there is a public interest in so doing'. |
| 1020 | WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY | 9:3:09 |
| Mr Michael Clapham | | Harry Cohen | | Mr Stephen Hepburn | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David S. Borrow | | Mr Frank Doran |
| That this House is alarmed and concerned to learn from the Information Commissioner's report that the blacklisting of trade union members is widespread in the construction industry; condemns the major construction contractors who subscribed to the Consulting Association and also provided it with information about workers and employees; notes that many of the companies who donated to the Consulting Association are currently engaged on publicly-procured work projects worth billions of pounds; considers that there may be legal implications where for example an employee or worker believes they were dismissed because they were on the list and requests that the Information Commissioner gives a reasonable time for people to make the appropriate checks; and calls on the Government to enact immediately legislation to prohibit the compilation of a blacklist containing the details of workers and employees with a view to them being used by employers or employment agencies to discriminate in relation to employment and to make it a criminal offence for an employer to commission such information. |
| 1042 | EXPERIMENTS ON PRIMATES | 10:3:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | David Taylor | | Mr Mike Weir | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House is concerned to note that thousands of primates are used in experiments across Europe each year; further notes with deep regret that the European Commission refuses to implement a ban on live primate experiments across Europe; further notes that this is contrary to the wishes of 80 per cent. of the population; and therefore calls on the Government to promote strongly a timetabled replacement of all primate experiments in Europe. |
| 1060 | NATIONAL DEMENTIA STRATEGY | 11:3:09 |
| Robert Key | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Greg Mulholland | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Mr Gordon Marsden | | Dr Richard Taylor |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Miss Anne Begg | Gordon Banks |
| That this House welcomes the publication of the National Dementia Strategy; is concerned that within 30 years dementia will affect 1.4 million people in the UK alone, costing the economy at least £50 billion annually; agrees with the Alzheimer's Research Trust that dementia research must have substantially more financial support than its current 2.5 per cent. share of the medical research budget; and urges the Government to increase support for the UK's world-class dementia scientists in their search for new prevention, treatments and cures for Alzheimer's and other dementias. |
| As Amendments to Robert Key's proposed Motion (National Dementia Strategy): |
| Line 5, after `budget' insert `where funding bodies, through peer review, agree that the quality of applications merits funding approval.'. |
| Line 7, at end add `; and recognises the important part played by animal research in such work as well as the potential of embryonic stem cell science.'. |
| 1061 | IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 2007 | 11:3:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Nick Hurd | | Julia Goldsworthy | | David Taylor | | Mr Marsha Singh | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Denis Murphy | Mr Elfyn Llwyd |
| That this House notes the words of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the hon. Member for Salford, spoken when launching the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 at the Local Government Association Conference on 14 October, that `this Act is about changing the way we do business in this country'; notes especially her words regarding the duty on the Secretary of State not just to consult but also to try to reach agreement with the Local Government Association regarding what action she should take to help councils promote local sustainability; and accordingly hopes that this co-operative method of governance will be adopted by her and her Department when implementing this Act. |
| 1063 | SEXUAL EXPLOITATION | 11:3:09 |
| Mr Alan Meale | | Bob Spink | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Marsha Singh | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| That this House is aware that last year the nation celebrated the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade; is however concerned that today a modern form of slavery exists in Britain and elsewhere, involved with the sexual trafficking of people forced into off-street prostitution; believes now is the time to take appropriate action to end such exploitation; and calls on the Government immediately to begin legal and other processes to achieve these objectives. |
| 1064 | LOCAL SPENDING REPORTS AND THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 2007 | 11:3:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Nick Hurd | | Julia Goldsworthy | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Tony Baldry |
| | Mr Bernard Jenkin | Sir Peter Viggers | Mr James Arbuthnot | | | Mr Michael Fallon | Tim Loughton | Stephen Pound | | | Dr Liam Fox | Mr Roger Godsiff | Mr David Curry | | | Mr Denis Murphy | Malcolm Bruce | Mr Mark Prisk | | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | Andrew Selous | Angela Watkinson | | | Mr Paul Goodman | Mr Brooks Newmark | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Mr David Burrowes | Mr Mark Lancaster | Mr Richard Benyon | | | Mr Stewart Jackson | Philip Davies | Stephen Hammond |
| That this House welcomes the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 requiring the publication of local spending reports; believes that people have a right to know how their money is spent by public bodies; especially welcomes the assurances given by the Minister for Local Government, the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth, that the local spending reports will include all public agencies; further welcomes the Minister's assurance that the purpose is to achieve a report that identifies how much will be spent in each area by the authorities; is therefore very alarmed that the consultation now issued on the local spending reports proposes only to include local authorities, including fire authorities and police authorities, and primary care trusts, and to exclude all other public bodies despite the assurances of the Minister; believes it to be unacceptable that this document is now in blatant contravention of the expressed assurances of the Minister; and calls for proper local spending reports to be published, which give effect to those assurances. |
| 1069 | FUEL POVERTY BILL | 11:3:09 |
| Alan Simpson | | Mark Williams | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr David Drew | | David Taylor | | Nick Ainger |
| | Shona McIsaac | Mr Denis Murphy | Mr Eddie McGrady |
| That this House notes that 418 hon. Members of all parties supported the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 during its passage through Parliament; notes that the Act brought about a statutory duty to end fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and in the rest of the sector by 2016; regrets therefore that a recent High Court judgment ruled that that statutory duty set pursuant to the Act was merely a duty to make efforts and that the targets were merely aspirations; further notes with concern that five million UK households will be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter and that a recent Help the Aged survey found that 4.5 million pensioners were planning to live in one room to keep warm; welcomes the introduction with cross-party support by the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome of the Fuel Poverty Bill, which reinstates the statutory duty to end fuel poverty by requiring the homes of the fuel poor to be brought up to the energy efficiency standards currently required for new homes and by the use of social tariffs for vulnerable customers in the short term; and calls on the Government to support this Bill and do everything that it can to ensure that it becomes law in this session of Parliament. |
| 1071 | EVIDENCE-BASED DRUG TREATMENT | 12:3:09 |
| Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Peter Lilley | | Lynne Jones | | Paul Rowen | | John Mann | | Mr Kevin Barron |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House welcomes the progress made to improve the availability and quality of drug treatment and the contribution made by drug service providers to the health and well-being of the nation; recognises that drug treatment is cost-effective and brings significant benefits to individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities; believes that an effective treatment system must provide a range of evidence-based services, as different approaches will suit different people at different points in their journey out of drug dependency; and urges hon. Members to commit to continued public investment in drug treatment, informed by the best available research. |
| 1081 | 30th ANNIVERSARY OF HEADWAY THE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION | 12:3:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Angela Watkinson | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House congratulates Headway, the brain injury association, for providing outstanding help and support to brain injury survivors and their families for the last 30 years; acknowledges the vital role that the charity plays in helping to improve quality of life after brain injury; notes that half a million people live with the long-term effects of brain injury; wishes the charity well in its future endeavours; and encourages hon. and right hon. Members to support the charity on a local and national level. |
| 1082 | POST BANK COALITION | 12:3:09 |
| Jon Cruddas | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Colin Burgon | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Charlotte Atkins | Joan Walley | Mr Bill Olner | | | Mr Adrian Bailey | Stephen Williams | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates the Post Bank Coalition of the Communication Workers Union, Federation of Small Businesses, New Economics Foundation, Unite the Union, National Convention of Pensioners and Public Interest Research Centre, on its plans for a new state-owned Post Bank based on the Post Office network; recognises the importance such a Bank could have in underpinning the future sustainability of the Post Office network; and calls on the Government, as a matter of urgency, to set up a Post Bank to combat financial exclusion and allow communities and local businesses to access a fair and trusted banking system. |
| 1085 | 2009 REVIEW OF UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT FINANCE | 13:3:09 |
| Paul Farrelly | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Jon Cruddas | | Mike Wood | | Mr David Drew | | Ms Diane Abbott |
| | Norman Baker | Andrew Miller | Mr Edward O'Hara | | | Dr Gavin Strang | Dr Richard Taylor | Willie Rennie |
| That this House believes that the forthcoming review of university and student finance must involve a broad debate about how higher education is and should be funded; notes that the National Union of Students, as the leading voice of students, must be fully involved in this review; further believes that it should encompass full consideration of both student support and tuition fees, should aim to ensure that students are supported according to their needs while they study, and that their contribution to the costs of higher education should reflect its true benefits after graduation; considers that the review must recognise that unmanageable levels of debt are bad for both the borrower and the lender, act as a barrier to wider participation in higher education and should be avoided wherever possible; and further believes that it must examine the proper balance of contributions between the state, individuals and employers to ensure that the future funding of higher education is fair for all. |
| As Amendments to Paul Farrelly's proposed Motion (2009 Review of University and Student Finance): |
| Line 6, leave out from `study' to `considers' in line 7 and insert `and that it should reflect the principles that no-one should be required to pay tuition fees for first degrees, whether studied for full-time or part-time.'. |
| Line 10, leave out from `must' to end and add `fully reflect the responsibility of the state in providing access to higher education.'. |
| 1090 | DISABLED PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT | 13:3:09 |
| John Robertson | | Miss Anne Begg | | Jim Sheridan | | Mr Mike Weir | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Dai Havard |
| That this House notes that in 2007 around 350,000 people moved from employment on to incapacity benefit and that a fifth of these, 70,000 people, were on this benefit for less than three months; believes that with early intervention and the right help and support many of these people could have been supported to retain their employment; further believes that more advice and support is needed to assist employers in understanding and acting on their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to make reasonable adjustments to help employees who experience ill health or disability stay in work; and therefore welcomes measures contained in the Employment Retention Bill to put in place a framework of rights, advice and support, ensuring that people who experience ill-health or disability whilst in work, and their employers, are supported to retain that employment whenever possible. |
| 1099 | NATO 60th ANNIVERSARY | 16:3:09 |
| Mr Bruce George | | Sir Peter Viggers | | Sir Menzies Campbell | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Denis MacShane | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Shona McIsaac |
| That this House recognises and commemorates the 60th anniversary of NATO on 4 April 2009; pays tribute to NATO's historic role in safeguarding the security and freedom of its members and, with the end of the Cold War, in promoting and extending stability and security to its new members; acknowledges the UK's role in establishing NATO and its continued commitment to the Alliance; welcomes the close co-operation between NATO and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and acknowledges the important role of Parliamentarians; stresses the importance of a co-operative relationship between NATO and the Russian Federation based on their common strategic interests; welcomes the accession of new member states to the Alliance and supports the Bucharest Summit Declaration which kept NATO's door open for future enlargement with European democracies which are willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of membership; underlines NATO's crucial role in assisting Afghanistan to establish a secure environment for political and economic development; calls for a more equitable distribution of responsibilities across NATO's member states; highlights NATO's engagement around the world to build security and foster stability, from the Balkans to Darfur and to relief support following the Pakistan earthquake; and acknowledges the important role NATO plays in strengthening the Allies' common values of democracy, human rights, individual liberty and the rule of law and reaffirms NATO's irreplaceable role as the guarantor of its members' security and an indispensable promoter of stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond. |
| 1104 | PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS ONLINE | 17:3:09 |
| Jo Swinson | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr John Leech | | Stephen Williams |
| That this House notes the imperative to maximise turnout at general elections and address the issues behind instances of low turnout, particularly among young people; believes that the public's engagement with politics would be improved by wider viewing of proceedings in Parliament; notes that there is currently a ban on the posting of parliamentary video clips on websites described by the relevant authorities as third party hosting websites; believes that video footage of parliamentary proceedings should be made available to the public on video hosting websites such as YouTube; notes that online viewing is increasing in popularity, with a 2006 ICM survey finding that 43 per cent. of people in the UK are watching less television as a result of increased online viewing; and calls for the parliamentary authorities to review their current broadcasting arrangements so that footage of Parliament can be widely viewed by the electorate using the internet. |
| 1105 | PERSONAL SAVINGS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM | 17:3:09 |
| Mr Gregory Campbell | | Bob Spink | | Sammy Wilson | | Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Mike Weir |
| That this House notes that the long-term financial future of the United Kingdom will be much more secure as personal savings increase; calls on the Government and financial institutions to review their commitment to this long-term goal; condemns reports of some banks which are paying as little as 0.1 per cent. interest on individual savings accounts, meaning that an individual putting aside £3,000 would receive the pitiful sum of £3 per year in interest; and further calls on the Chancellor to produce an imaginitive proposal in the Budget to promote tax efficient personal savings. |
| 1107 | ARCHER INQUIRY INTO CONTAMINATED BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS | 17:3:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Weir | | Mr John Leech | | Mr Martin Caton | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House congratulates Lord Archer on his Independent Public Inquiry into Contaminated Blood and Blood Products; welcomes his recommendations on forms of relief for the haemophilia community; notes with concern that these forms of relief are restricted to that community and therefore discriminate against other patient groups that have been similarly affected; and calls on the Government to extend the scope of the relief to include all other patient groups which have been infected. |
| 1112 | TAX CREDIT OVERPAYMENT AND CHILD POVERTY | 17:3:09 |
| Miss Anne Begg | | Danny Alexander | | Ms Karen Buck | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Terry Rooney | | Roger Berry |
| That this House welcomes the Government's pledge to end child poverty by 2020 and acknowledges the progress it has made so far; recognises the recent improvements made to help claimants navigate the tax credit system and to reduce overpayments; is concerned about the continued hardship faced by those who were overpaid tax credits in the first two years of the system's operation, 2003-04 or 2004-05, and who are still dealing with the stress and worry of these debts; is further concerned that the impact of these debts will be more acute in the current economic climate; notes that a recent Citizens Advice debt report found that 15 per cent. of Citizens Advice England and Wales debt clients with children have a tax credit overpayment debt as part of a total debt of over £13,000; and calls on HM Revenue and Customs to write-off all tax credit overpayment debts from these years for those claimants who had an underlying entitlement to the money, whose overpayments have been poorly explained and have become administratively complicated or who are on low incomes, unless the overpayment was caused by fraud on the part of the claimant. |
| Lorely Burt | | Dr Vincent Cable | | Sir Robert Smith | | Chris Huhne | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George |
| | Sir John Butterfill | Dr John Pugh | Martin Horwood | | | Dan Rogerson |
| That this House notes with concern the 10 year anniversary of the Government's implementation of IR35; further notes that the 1.4 million freelancers in the United Kingdom face a perpetual threat of a costly and distressing HM Revenue and Customs investigation under IR35; further notes that IR35 obliges freelancers to spend time and money assessing their status as best they can, with contract reviews, tax investigation insurances and negotiations with clients and agencies, and that this effort would be better spent generating wealth for the UK economy; highlights concerns expressed by the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) that 1,462 of the 1,468 cases known to PCG have resulted in no extra tax being owed; further notes that there is no evidence that IR35 is raising any money for the Exchequer; and calls on the Treasury, in light of the current economic difficulties, to remove unnecessary barriers to enterprise and to abolish IR35 at the earliest opportunity. |
| 1125 | EATING OUT WITH COELIAC DISEASE | 18:3:09 |
| Gordon Banks | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | John Hemming | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| That this House recognises that people with coeliac disease have an autoimmune disease for which the only treatment is a lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet; acknowledges that 58 per cent. of those diagnosed with coeliac disease are most concerned about the lack of safe gluten-free options offered in restaurants and similar places; urges chefs and caterers to improve the availability of gluten-free choices; and commends and supports Coeliac UK for its Eating Out campaign to make eating out possible for people with the condition which will significantly improve their quality of life and create more business for the hospitality sector. |
| 1126 | COASTAL ACCESS FOR DOG WALKERS | 18:3:09 |
| Mr Ian Cawsey | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | David Taylor | | John Hemming | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House recognises the potential for the proposed Marine Bill to increase access to the coastline for the UK's 7.3 million dogs and their owners; appreciates the considerable health benefits that walking a dog can bring; recognises that dog owners have a legal responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to provide their dogs with adequate exercise; notes the environmental benefits of dog owners being able to access land within their local areas without needing to drive; and therefore believes that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill should ensure that dog owners continue to enjoy full access to the coastline. |
| 1154 | TENANTS IN THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR AND REPOSSESSIONS | 23:3:09 |
| Ms Sally Keeble | | Martin Linton | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Colin Breed | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House recognises that tenants in the private rented sector risk losing their homes through repossession when landlords default on mortgages; notes that many tenants are evicted with little or no notice, sometimes only finding out when the bailiff arrives on their doorstep; further notes that many of these tenants could be at risk of homelessness through no fault of their own; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to avert a potential crisis by giving courts the discretion to defer possession and allow tenants sufficient time to find another home. |
| 1165 | MID STAFFORDSHIRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST | 24:3:09 |
| Mr Andrew Lansley | | Mr Stephen O'Brien | | Mike Penning | | Mark Simmonds | | Mr William Cash | | Mr Desmond Swayne |
| That this House calls for an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the failings of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. |
| 1166 | GET WALKING DAY 30 MAY 2009 | 24:3:09 |
| Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Graham Stringer | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House welcomes the Ramblers' second annual Get Walking Day on 30 May 2009, offering thousands of people in England, Scotland and Wales the opportunity to enjoy a short walk with the Ramblers; applauds the Get Walking Day goal to inspire families and individuals of all ages to go for a walk and to continue walking regularly; notes that doctors agree that moderate exercise like walking helps protect people from many illnesses and conditions including obesity, depression, heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, the most common type of diabetes and many cancers; recognises that walking for a total of 30 minutes a day, or 60 minutes for children, meets the Chief Medical Officer's minimum recommendations for physical activity; is alarmed that 70 per cent. of adults and 40 per cent. of children do not meet the target, with serious consequences for public health; further notes that the cost to the NHS of obesity alone will rise to £10 billion a year by 2050 if current trends continue; believes that walking is the easiest form of exercise for the greatest number of people and that almost everyone can do it, anywhere and at any time, for free, with no special equipment or training; and urges hon. Members to support Get Walking Day and to encourage people to join in by going for a local walk. |
| 1171 | UK RELATIONS WITH CUBA | 24:3:09 |
| Mr Ian Taylor | | Paul Holmes | | Robert Key | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Colin Burgon | | Sir Peter Viggers |
| | Joan Ryan | Mr Bob Laxton | Tony Lloyd | | | Geraldine Smith | Mr Denis Murphy | Mrs Anne McGuire | | | Mr Alistair Carmichael | Danny Alexander | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) |
| That this House welcomes the fresh approach to international relations with Cuba including recent legislation in the US to lift family visiting restrictions on Cuban-Americans; notes the recent formal visits to Cuba by the Irish and Spanish Foreign Ministers and Presidents of Chile and Argentina; further notes the recent visit by the Shadow Foreign Secretary to Cuba; welcomes the fact that the UK enjoys excellent relations with Cuba in the fields of sport, biotechnology and the arts; and calls on the Government to send a high level Ministerial delegation to Cuba, led by the Foreign Secretary, to build on UK-Cuba relations and UK interests in the region. |
| 1178 | BEATBULLYING CYBERMENTORS | 24:3:09 |
| Mr Andrew Pelling | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink |
| That this House welcomes Beatbullying's Cybermentors initiative to create an online peer group support network against cyberbullying of young people, noting the project is part funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. |
| 1182 | SHORT-TIME WORKING SUBSIDY | 24:3:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Tony Lloyd | | Mr David Crausby | | Jon Cruddas | | Jim Sheridan | | Jim Dobbin |
| That this House calls on the Government to introduce subsidies to employers moving workers to short-time hours or making temporary lay-offs as a result of the economic difficulties caused by the recession; believes that such support would enable employers to avoid immediate redundancies and retain essential staff and skills, preventing unnecessary job losses; further believes that if linked to training, it would also enable longer-term workforce investment; further believes that such a measure is a quick and effective way to target support to struggling employers and providing financial support to employees during these difficult times; notes that similar subsidy packages have already been introduced in Wales, which has been welcomed by the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, as well as in Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy; welcomes the support of business organisations and trades unions; and calls on the Government to work with business representatives and trades unions to introduce a targeted subsidy package to support the sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, that are in greatest need. |
| 1190 | SHORT TIME WORKING AND TAX CREDITS | 25:3:09 |
| Mr Mike Weir | | Lynne Jones | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Colin Breed |
| That this House notes that many firms have introduced short time working for employees during this time of recession; further notes that many workers who are in receipt of tax credits are facing difficulties as the reduction in hours takes them below the minimum hours required to qualify for tax credits; and calls on the Government to take action to ensure that those who are so affected are deemed to still be working for the minimum hours and that their tax credits are maintained until such time as their hours are reinstated. |
| Martin Horwood | | Mr Richard Benyon | | Mr Russell Brown | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Stephen Hammond |
| That this House notes that over 70 per cent. of UK sharks, skates and rays are categorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as threatened or near threatened with extinction; further notes the recent publication of the European Community Plan of Action for Sharks, and the context of EU legislation EC No. 1185/2003, prohibiting the removal of shark fins at sea; believes the UK Government should build on the foundation of previous shark conservation actions and lead the way in Europe as a champion of shark conservation, promptly implementing effective shark conservation and management measures; further believes that, on no occasion should the UK Government approve any derogation from the shark finning legislation in order to allow UK-registered vessels to remove shark fins at sea; and urges the Government to lead the way in Europe by ceasing provision of special permits to remove shark fins at sea, thus enforcing the original intention of the shark finning legislation, and supporting improved shark fisheries monitoring, management and conservation measures. |
| 1204 | ASBESTOS IN SCHOOLS | 26:3:09 |
| Paul Rowen | | Lorely Burt | | Annette Brooke | | Bob Russell | | Mr Don Foster | | Jenny Willott |
| That this House welcomed the opportunity to debate the issue of asbestos in schools in Westminster Hall; notes the fatal effect that exposure to asbestos continues to have on pupils and teachers exposed to asbestos fibres in school buildings; further notes that the incidence of mesothelioma is rising, with the Association of Teachers and Lecturers citing at least 400 members of the teaching profession who have been exposed to asbestos, recognises that 75 per cent. of all schools across the country have asbestos present in one form or another; notes that in the United States of America and the Republic of Ireland clear policies have been adopted in relation to asbestos in school buildings; calls upon the Government to carry out a confidential national survey of schools, followed by funding from the Department of Children, Schools and Families for any school identified during the survey as needing remedial work; further calls on the Government to implement a policy of replacing all asbestos containing materials in schools as part of a national strategy with clear targets in order to provide safe environments for the nation's pupils to succeed; and welcomes the Government's concession that proper training needs to be provided to all head teachers and school managers regarding their current responsibilities in this area. |
| 1206 | YORK CITY FOOTBALL CLUB | 27:3:09 |
| Hugh Bayley | | Mr John Grogan | | Mr Phil Willis | | Mr John Greenway | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr David Drew |
| That this House congratulates York City Football Club on qualifying for the FA Challenge Trophy final on 9 May 2009 and recognises that this is its first visit to the new Wembley stadium; notes that this provides an excellent opportunity for the football club to represent the city of York by showcasing its sporting talents and the good nature of the supporters; calls on the citizens of York to show their support and appreciation for the players and coaching staff; and wishes the team success in the final. |
| 1210 | NATIONAL PUB DAY | 27:3:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Mr Brian Binley | | Mr Eric Illsley | | David Taylor | | Bob Spink | | Mr Nigel Waterson |
| That this House welcomes the first ever National Pub Day on 4 April 2009; applauds Justice for Licensees and the Save the Great British Pub campaign for this initiative; believes that the British pub is an important part of UK's history and heritage and a community focus for social, sporting and charitable activity; further believes that the public house provides a controlled and sociable drinking environment which encourages responsible drinking; recognises that pubs are currently facing difficult circumstances and require support; believes that more should be done to support and protect pubs and give more power to communities to protect them; and hopes that the first National Pub Day will receive widespread support and become an annual opportunity for celebrating the British pub which is a wonderful and unique institution and something that hon. Members should cherish and celebrate and raise a toast to on 4 April. |
| 1211 | NATIONAL CASK ALE WEEK | 27:3:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Bob Spink | | Mr James Gray | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Nick Harvey |
| That this House welcomes the forthcoming National Cask Ale Week, the world's largest ale festival, from 6 to 13 April 2009, a week of campaigning across the United Kingdom to promote the importance and pleasures of drinking real ale in pubs; supports the aim of National Cask Ale Week to denote 6 April as National Beer Day; notes the economic strength of the cask ale industry as demonstrated by sales figures from the Small Independent Brewers' Association in November 2008; expresses hope that National Cask Ale Week will succeed in entering the Guinness Book of Records for the world's biggest toast, a record breaking attempt which will take place on 11 April 2009; and encourages hon. Members to support their local pub's participation in National Cask Ale Week. |
| 1224 | INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT'S OUR WORLD. YOUR MOVE CAMPAIGN | 30:3:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink |
| That this House fully supports the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world's largest humanitarian network with almost 97 million volunteers across 186 countries; notes that 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the battle of Solferino, which inspired the idea of the Red Cross and modern International Humanitarian Law (IHL); further notes that 2009 is also the 90th anniversary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and 60 years since the adoption of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the cornerstone of IHL; recognises the continued vital importance of the Geneva Conventions and the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement; congratulates the Movement on its achievements and ability to respond to humanitarian need across the world; pays particular tribute to the work of the British Red Cross, its staff and 30,000 UK volunteers, as an invaluable auxiliary to the UK Government in providing humanitarian assistance in times of crisis in the UK and across the world; and further fully supports the Movement's Our World. Your Move campaign, which highlights the challenges faced by people in need throughout the world and the actions that can change their lives. |
| 1230 | UK BEE HEALTH (No. 2) | 31:3:09 |
| Danny Alexander | | Willie Rennie | | Mr Charles Kennedy | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell |
| That this House notes with concern the threat to the UK bee population, valued commercially at approximately £165 million by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, posed by an increase in reported cases of colony collapse disorder and resistance to the chemical treatment for the varroa destructor mite; further notes that Scottish bee farmers, who run 25 per cent. of the UK's commercial hives, are particularly vulnerable as the alternative treatment for the varroa mite requires an ambient temperature of over 15 degrees centigrade; observes that the limited diagnostic and follow-up service for bee health matters in Scotland comprises only four bee inspectors; calls for greater coordination between Westminster and Holyrood to solve this national problem; and welcomes the support of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association and Bee Farmers' Association for greater funding for research into ways of combating the threats to Scottish hives. |
| 1233 | CLIMATE CHANGE (SECTORAL TARGETS) BILL | 31:3:09 |
| Mr Martin Caton | | Mr David Heath | | Joan Walley | | Mr David Chaytor | | Colin Challen | | Mr Michael Meacher |
| | Mr Fabian Hamilton | Mr Denis Murphy | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House welcomes the Climate Change (Sectoral Targets) Bill introduced on 11 February by the hon. Member for Gower, which would require the Secretary of State to set long-term targets for energy efficiency in the domestic and non-domestic sectors, for renewable energy, for microgeneration and for other low carbon sources of energy generation in order to satisfy all of the UK's energy needs, provide for security of supply and also help achieve carbon reduction targets; notes that the Bill would also require a strategy to be drawn up and implemented by the Secretary of State in order to achieve those targets, and believes that such an approach will provide an immediate, flexible, realistic and cost-effective way of delivering the stated objectives of energy policy which would also create jobs and help regenerate the economy. |
| 1234 | SPEEDING NEAR SCHOOLS | 31:3:09 |
| Keith Vaz | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House has serious concerns about the speeding of motorists, particularly in close proximity to schools; notes that between 2005 and 2007, the latest period for which figures are available, police officers attended 14,577 accidents in which someone was seriously injured and speeding was listed as a contributory factor; is alarmed that in 2007 speeding contributed to 727 deaths; welcomes the fact that the Government was forecast to spend £1,815,000 on television advertising to make people aware of the dangers and consequences of driving in excess of the speed limit in 2008-09; and calls on the Government to implement 20 mph speed limits in areas surrounding schools. |
| As an Amendment to Keith Vaz's proposed Motion (Speeding Near Schools): |
| Mr Greg Knight | | John Hemming | | Philip Davies | | Mr Eddie McGrady |
| Line 8, at end add `which is enforced only immediately before, immediately after and during times when the school is in use.'. |
| 1238 | CORNISH TIER OF GOVERNMENT | 31:3:09 |
| Dan Rogerson | | Mr Colin Breed | | Andrew George | | Julia Goldsworthy | | Matthew Taylor | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House notes that Cornwall is going through a significant reorganisation of local government this year; congratulates Cornwall's seven district, borough and county councils on their past 35 years of joint public service to the people and environment of Cornwall; particularly commends the outstanding contribution of the thousands of rank-and-file staff and officers from each of the seven authorities; believes they have a record of which they can be proud; recognises the commitment and dedication of councillors from all parties and none over the years; believes Cornwall should be a distinctive region within the UK, a champion of social justice and an exemplar of environmental policy; further believes that the advent of a new strategic voice for Cornwall presents the Duchy with an opportunity to realise those aims; acknowledges that there will be challenges along the way; and urges everyone with an interest in the future of Cornwall to work together to make the new authority successful and ambitious for Cornwall as the first step to real devolution from Westminster towards a Cornish assembly. |
| 1239 | CONTACTPOINT DATABASE | 31:3:09 |
| Annette Brooke | | Mr David Laws | | Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Graham Brady | Jo Swinson |
| That this House notes the announcement of another delay to the implementation of ContactPoint because of further concerns about the accuracy and security of the database; expresses concern over the safety implications of such a vast database containing potentially sensitive information in the light of security breaches in various Government departments; further expresses concern over the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's recent report stating that the database is almost certainly illegal under human rights and data protection law; further notes continued concerns over the projected cost of ContactPoint; further notes the conclusion of the House of Lords Select Committee on the 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 on the Government to scrap the database. |
| 1245 | ORDNANCE SURVEY | 31:3:09 |
| Ms Katy Clark | | Peter Bottomley | | Paul Holmes | | John McDonnell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| That this House recognises that Ordnance Survey provides a valuable and well respected public service; welcomes the fact that Ordnance Survey exceeded its target for operating profit in the last financial year and is currently a net contributor to public funds; further recognises that in the current economic climate public assets such as Ordnance Survey will have a lower market value; expresses concern that in the forthcoming Budget there will be a report as part of the Operational Efficiency Programme to identify efficiency savings and the concern that there might be proposals to privatise this service; notes with concern the damaging effect which this will have on staff morale; and calls on the Government to continue to provide Ordnance Survey with all the support which it needs to continue to operate at its current high standards in the public sector. |
| 1248 | CONFLICT PREVENTION | 1:4:09 |
| Simon Hughes | | Mr Gary Streeter | | John McDonnell | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | John Hemming |
| That this House recognises that for every dollar spent globally on conflict prevention nearly two thousand times as much is spent on defence and the military; applauds the many local initiatives around the world that help to prevent conflict; calls on the Government to carry out a study into the cost-effectiveness of local and regional peace building initiatives in the run up to the Global Summit on Security and Peace Building in 2010; and encourages the Government through the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to give greater priority to conflict prevention work and in particular to fund from existing resources more local conflict prevention initiatives. |
| 1250 | REPORTING ON CARBON LIABILITIES | 1:4:09 |
| Colin Challen | | Mr Tim Yeo | | Simon Hughes | | Peter Bottomley | | John Hemming | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr Barry Sheerman | Geraldine Smith | Mr Mohammad Sarwar | | | Gordon Banks |
| That this House acknowledges the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change; looks forward to a successful global deal on climate change at Copenhagen later this year; notes that in a future carbon-constrained world businesses will need to account for the carbon intensity of their operations and products, particularly in the oil, gas and power sectors; believes that transparent reporting of the lifecycle carbon impacts of these operations and products as financial liabilities is the best way to enable investors and pension funds to factor in carbon risks to investment analysis and support emissions reductions and low-carbon growth; further notes the massive hidden carbon costs of the exploitation of unconventional fossil fuels such as oil sands, which emit on average three times more carbon dioxide in their extraction and production than conventional oil and represent a significant carbon risk for investors; also notes that new coal-fired power stations have lifespans of over 40 years; and therefore calls on the Government to require all UK-listed companies in the oil, gas and power sectors to report on their total carbon liabilities. |
| 1251 | CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING | 1:4:09 |
| Mr Fraser Kemp | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Mr David Drew | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House welcomes the recent Written Ministerial Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health announcing that the Independent Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening will now formally review all available evidence relating to the issue of screening women under 25 years old and take evidence from interested parties; and congratulates families, individuals and the cervical charity Jo's Trust on their campaigning work; and hopes the results of the review will result in a reduction in the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and the number of women who die from it. |
| 1252 | SATELLITE NAVIGATION DEVICES | 1:4:09 |
| Norman Baker | | Mr John Leech | | Mark Hunter | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | John Hemming |
| That this House is extremely concerned that satellite navigation devices (sat navs) continue to direct large vehicles down narrow and unsuitable routes; notes with regret that this has a serious impact upon other road users and many communities; and calls on the Government to eradicate this problem by ensuring that sat navs take account of the height, width and length of the vehicle before selecting a route. |
| 1264 | SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR LIVING TOGETHER REPORT ON GYPSY AND TRAVELLER SITE PROVISION | 1:4:09 |
| Julie Morgan | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Andrew George | | Mr Andy Slaughter | | Lynne Featherstone | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House welcomes the Gypsies and Travellers: Simple Solutions for Living Together report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission; recognises that investment in adequate site provision can generate income for local authorities and significantly reduce eviction costs, improve community relations and provide safe and decent accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller communities; notes that as little as one square mile of land across all of England would be enough to provide all Gypsy and Traveller families with sufficient authorised sites; further notes that local authorities need to double their rate of progress in order to meet the Government's 2011 target to provide sufficient accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers; and calls on the Government to encourage local authorities to work with Gypsies and Travellers and local residents to find fair and sensible ways to deliver the modest number of authorised sites required for Gypsies and Travellers. |
| 1269 | UPRATING OF BASIC STATE PENSION | 1:4:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Jim Dobbin | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House welcomes the five per cent. increase in the basic state pension for 2009-10; believes that pensioners deserve extra support to help respond to the difficulties faced by the economic downturn; recognises that many pensioners rely on the interest on their savings for the additional income and due to interest rates reductions and a historically low interest rate they have lost out financially; expresses concern that the Government's economic projections show the retail prices index (RPI) as negative in September 2009 and that this figure is used to calculate the basic state pension increase for year 2010-11; notes with concern that in the light of a negative RPI change, the Government will use its discretion to the uprate in the basic state pension; and further believes that, given the impact of the downturn on pensioners, the Government should commit to a state pension uprate for 2010-11 of no less than that introduced for this financial year. |
| 1273 | SUPPLY OF HARM REDUCTION PRODUCTS TO DRUG USERS | 1:4:09 |
| Mike Wood | | Paul Flynn | | Mr Mike Hancock | | John McDonnell | | Mr David Drew | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House notes that section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was intended to prevent the commercial sale of kits and equipment for the preparation and consumption of illicit drugs; further notes that there have only ever been a handful of prosecutions for the commercial sale of drug kits and paraphernalia since 1986 due to the ambiguous nature of section 9A, leading many police forces to abandon enforcement; further notes that on each of the two occasions that the Act has been amended since the insertion of section 9A in 1986 to incorporate newly-developed harm reduction interventions, each amendment has involved a lengthy process of campaigning and legislative change; is concerned that section 9A currently prevents legitimate harm reduction services from providing a number of otherwise innocuous products to their drug-using clients because these items are not explicitly permitted in the legislation; and therefore calls on the Government to consider either a general exemption for all harm reduction products supplied by drug treatment providers and healthcare professionals, or the repeal of section 9A. |
| 1280 | HEALTH SUPPORT IN SCHOOL | 2:4:09 |
| Mr Jim Cunningham | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House notes with considerable concern that the health of around a million children with specified health conditions, including asthma, cancer, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, HIV, mental health problems, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell disease and conditions that can cause stroke, is put at risk because they are not receiving sufficient support at school; further notes that poor support at school stops children from fulfilling their potential; recognises that while guidance on medicines in schools remains voluntary, inequality of experience will continue; and acknowledges that by providing better support, children with medical needs will have improved health outcomes and reduce the financial burden on the NHS. |
| 1282 | NUCLEAR WEAPONS CONVENTION | 2:4:09 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Frank Cook | | Paul Holmes | | Peter Bottomley | | Paul Flynn | | Michael Connarty |
| That this House notes the forthcoming 41st anniversary of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty; further notes the continued failure of the international community to abolish nuclear weapons or prevent their further proliferation; endorses the unanimous opinion of the International Court of Justice that there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith, and bring to a conclusion, negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control; further notes the recent 10th anniversary of the submission of a model nuclear weapons convention by Costa Rica to the United Nations for discussion; and calls upon the Government to work to achieve progress on multilateral negotions with the aim of achieving implementation of a nuclear weapons convention by 2020. |
| 1285 | ALCOHOL LABELLING | 2:4:09 |
| John Mason | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Miss Anne Begg | | Bob Russell | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House notes the recent publication of The Human Cost of Alcohol - Doctors Speak Out by the British Medical Association Scotland; recognises that those in the medical profession have a far greater understanding than most of the true extent and cost of alcohol misuse in the UK; further notes the range of recommendations made in the report to reduce excessive drinking, including steps to control price and availability and increase awareness of the amount of alcohol in drinks; further notes that, 10 years after the drinks industry introduced a voluntary code of practice for alcoholic labelling, only 3 per cent. of products were found to contain all the information required, and 43 per cent. of products contained no information at all; acknowledges previous research from the USA which found that mandatory labels on alcoholic beverages increased knowledge regarding the risks of drink-driving and drinking during pregnancy; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce legislation to make clear and consistent labelling of alcoholic products a legal requirement. |
| 1286 | SAVINGS SUMMARY BOX | 2:4:09 |
| Dr Vincent Cable | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Bob Russell |
| | Mike Gapes | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mrs Anne McGuire |
| That this House recognises that recent cuts in interest rates have led to a significant loss of income for many savers; condemns the fact that most savings statements do not clearly indicate the correct current interest rate of the account and that Bank of England interest rates have changed dramatically over the last six months, leaving many savers confused about the level of interest which they are receiving; notes that there is no technical barrier to publishing a bespoke rate; calls on the Financial Services Authority to give savers the same protection as credit card holders by mandating savings account providers to include a savings summary box in every online and paper statement; further calls on the Financial Services Authority to require that this summary box include the current bespoke interest rate, bonus rates including expiry date, penalties for withdrawal and lay out what institution the account is linked to for the purposes of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme; and anticipates that this simple step will greatly improve the transparency of many savings accounts, enabling hard-pressed savers to ensure they are maximising their savings. |
| 1288 | HELP FOR HEROES | 20:4:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Lee Scott | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Jo Swinson |
| That this House supports the Help for Heroes charity which was established to help those injured in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan; pays tribute to the founders of the charity and the volunteers who help ensure that the money raised goes to those who need it most; notes that the charity has already raised £16 million through high profile events, sponsorship and individual donations since its formation in October 2007; and congratulates The Sun newspaper for backing the charity and helping to raise its profile even further, which will ensure that troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will get the help and support they need. |
| 1291 | WORLD MALARIA DAY 2009 | 20:4:09 |
| Mr Stephen O'Brien | | Dr Evan Harris | | Mr Andrew Mitchell | | Andrew Selous | | Mrs Eleanor Laing | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| | Angela Watkinson | Mr Mark Lancaster |
| That this House notes World Malaria Day 2009 on 25 April 2009, which is being marked with events leading up to and on that day to raise awareness and to rally support for the effort globally to fight, control and ultimately eradicate malaria; calls on governments of malaria-endemic countries, donor country governments and international public and private organisations to work together to combat malaria worldwide; further notes that malaria occurs in more than 90 countries of the world, placing 40 per cent. of the world's population at risk, and that this preventable and curable disease kills a child every 30 seconds and is especially lethal to children under five and pregnant mothers; further notes that between one and three million people are killed every year by the disease; further notes the estimate that approximately 500 to 600 million people are infected each year, with the heaviest burden of malaria being in sub-Saharan Africa, but also afflicting the peoples of Asia, Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Europe; congratulates all those engaged in the global campaign against malaria and further notes a number of countries have reduced malaria deaths by 50 per cent. in the last five years as the resources and implementation of preventative measures and treatments have been scaled up; and further calls on the Government to maintain and enhance its international co-operation, collaboration and co-ordination of action towards the achievement of the UN 2010 and 2015 goals to end suffering and deaths from malaria, the world's most avoidable but devastating scourge. |
| 1293 | NATIONAL PUBWATCH CAMPAIGN | 20:4:09 |
| Mr Nigel Evans [R] | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Jim Dobbin |
| That this House supports National Pubwatch's Court not Cautions campaign; recognises that the campaign is a response to the continuing trend for assaults on staff working in pubs, bars, shops and other licensed premises to be dealt with by way of police caution or fixed penalty ticket; understands that victims of such assaults feel let down by the justice system; believes that current practice is not a sufficient deterrent; and calls on the Government to ensure that the perpetrators of assaults on licensees are rightly pursued in the courts. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1295 | FUNDING FOR SIXTH FORMS | 20:4:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House is concerned by the late and unexpected reductions in funding allocations to schools and sixth form colleges; notes that these reductions place school managements in great difficulty balancing their budgets; is concerned that schools face the prospect of cutting staff, reducing student numbers, or both; and calls on the Learning and Skills Council and the Department for Children, Schools and Families to restore the cut in sixth form funding. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Paul Burstow's proposed Motion (Funding for Sixth Forms): |
| David Taylor | | Mr Ronnie Campbell |
| Line 2, after `allocations', insert `notified by the Learning and Skills Council'. |
| 1296 | MARGARET HAYWOOD AND STANDARDS OF CARE | 20:4:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr John Leech | | Andrew George |
| | Sir Alan Beith | Mr Michael Moore | Tim Farron |
| That this House supports nurse Margaret Haywood who raised issues of concern around poor patient care; believes that Margaret was justified in exposing the worrying conditions at her local hospital and that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) was wrong to strike her off the nursing register; notes the e-petition in support of Margaret Haywood organised by the Royal College of Nursing; calls on the NMC to reverse its decision; and further calls on the Government to take steps to ensure that the procedures and protection afforded to whistleblowers are understood and applied by all in positions of responsibility in the NHS. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Paul Burstow's proposed Motion (Margaret Haywood and Standards of Care): |
| Line 8, at end add `including the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust.'. |
| 1299 | RIGHTS OF TRIBAL AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES | 20:4:09 |
| Martin Horwood | | Mr David Drew | | Harry Cohen | | John Bercow | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell |
| That this House welcomes the 20th anniversary of International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on Tribal and Indigenous Peoples, which recognises and respects the land rights of indigenous peoples; notes that protecting the land rights of indigenous peoples is the most effective way to protect the world's rainforests, crucial in the battle against climate change; further welcomes a memorandum submitted to the Environment Audit Committee by the Department for International Development and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which recognises the importance of ensuring indigenous peoples' rights are respected in terms of ownership of the carbon asset; notes the Government's continued refusal to put these rights on a firm legal footing and ratify Convention 169, on the grounds that there are no indigenous peoples in the United Kingdom; further notes that this has not prevented either the Netherlands or Spain from joining the list of 20 countries, including Brazil, that have ratified the Convention; believes that protecting the rights of indigenous peoples is a matter of international concern; and calls on the Government to ratify Convention 169 without delay. |
| 1308 | SECRET EVIDENCE | 21:4:09 |
| Ms Diane Abbott | | Mr David Drew | | David Lepper | | Sarah Teather | | Lynne Featherstone | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Don Foster | Mr David Chaytor | Martin Horwood | | | Chris Huhne |
| That this House believes the use of secret evidence in UK courts is fundamentally wrong; notes that secret evidence is evidence held by the Home Office against an individual that neither the individual, nor their legal representation, may see; further notes that in recent cases secret evidence has been used to detain individuals in prison for up to three years without charge or trial; further notes that these individuals may also be put under a control order or severe bail conditions, greatly limiting their movements and ability to lead a healthy life; further believes that the use of secret evidence by the state against individuals runs entirely contrary to Habeas Corpus; recognises the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that detaining individuals on the basis of secret evidence is unlawful because detainees had not been able to effectively challenge the allegations against them; and calls on the Government to begin an immediate independent review into the use of evidence that is not ever heard by the defendant or their lawyer but which is used to justify indefinite detention, severe bail conditions or control orders. |
| 1311 | SRI LANKA (No.4) | 21:4:09 |
| Mr Jim Cunningham | | Mr Brian Jenkins | | John Cummings | | Geraldine Smith | | Mr David Hamilton | | Mr Russell Brown |
| That this House notes with concern reports from the International Red Cross that ongoing fighting between Tamil and government forces in Sri Lanka continues to leave a trail of civilian casualties in its wake while depriving access to substantive medical care and hope of evacuation away from areas of conflict; calls on the Sri Lankan government and Tamil forces to work towards a ceasefire to protect the civilian population from further harm as a result of this conflict; and urges the UK Government to work with international partners to do all in its powers to enable full access to humanitarian assistance for the people of Sri Lanka while continuing with exhaustive efforts to achieve a durable ceasefire that will minimise human suffering in that country. |
| 1314 | SPEED LIMIT AND ROAD SAFETY | 22:4:09 |
| Keith Vaz | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House welcomes proposals that would result in speed limits being reduced in areas where there is a high risk of accidents, in particular the recommendation that there be a 20 mph speed limit around schools and in residential areas; notes that between 2005 and 2007, 2,376 people were killed and 14,577 were seriously injured in road accidents where excessive speed was recorded as a contributory factor and that on average eight people die on the road every day; recognises the need for roads to be made safer; and calls for these recommendations to be implemented as soon as possible throughout the country. |
| 1315 | 40 YEARS OF THE PARKINSON'S DISEASE SOCIETY: FUNDING RESEARCH FOR A CURE | 22:4:09 |
| Mark Hunter | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Mark Durkan | | Richard Younger-Ross | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Stephen Williams | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House celebrates the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Parkinson's Disease Society; applauds the all-round support the society gives to the 120,000 people living with Parkinson's disease in the UK and in particular its contribution to advances in Parkinson's disease research; congratulates the society on the commitment of over £40 million of charitable funding into research to date, which has contributed to major breakthroughs such as the discovery of two of the genes associated with inherited Parkinson's disease and the development of highly effective drug treatments for Parkinson's disease; commends the society on opening one of the first Parkinson's disease-dedicated brain banks in the world which provides vital clues in understanding what goes wrong when nerve cells in the brain die; wholeheartedly supports its vision of continuing to fund research until the discovery of a cure for Parkinson's disease; and calls on the Government to continue its support for voluntary sector research grants through funds such as the Charity Research Support Fund. |
| 1317 | WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 2009 | 22:4:09 |
| Mr Bob Laxton | | Mr David Amess | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby |
| | Dr Evan Harris | Stephen Williams |
| That this House notes that 19 May 2009 is World Hepatitis Day; is concerned that more than 500 million people worldwide have either chronic hepatitis B or C which is equivalent to one in 12 of the global population; is deeply concerned that these two diseases kill one million people annually; believes that worldwide action is needed in order to save millions of lives; hopes that World Hepatitis Day will increase public awareness of hepatitis B and C in the UK and internationally; and urges the Government to give its full backing to World Hepatitis Day and to support the resolution calling for a world day for the struggle against viral hepatitis at the 62nd meeting of the World Health Assembly in May 2009. |
| 1320 | ENGLISH NATIONAL ANTHEM | 22:4:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Hugh Bayley | | Mr Greg Pope |
| That this House believes that it is time for England to adopt an appropriate song as the English national anthem to be used by English sporting teams and athletes; further believes that it is quite wrong that England uses the UK national anthem; considers that God Save the Queen should only be used for British or UK teams, for example the British Lions and at the Olympics, including if a Team GB football team competes at the London 2012 Olympics; is concerned that the continued use of God Save the Queen by the English and the failure to make the distinction between England and Britain is inaccurate and confusing and that not making the distinction between England and Britain actually undermines the union; urges the English people to recognise that British and English identity are not the same and that God Save the Queen is the anthem of Britain as a whole; and calls, therefore, for the introduction of a solely English national anthem to be used on occasions when England, as opposed to the UK, is being represented. |
| 1321 | JACK JONES AND THE TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION | 22:4:09 |
| Jim Sheridan | | Tony Lloyd | | Mr Don Touhig | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Clive Efford | | John Robertson |
| That this House expresses its condolences to the family of Jack Jones, former General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, the strongest working-class organisation the UK has ever seen, with more than two million men and women united to secure a better life for all, both at home and internationally; and believes the UK has lost the greatest trades unionist of the entire post-war era, a man whose name will be forever associated with the finest achievements and highest values of the trades union movement. |
| 1323 | ROBOT SCIENTIST PROJECT | 22:4:09 |
| Mark Williams | | Mr Mike Hancock | | John Hemming | | David Taylor | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House recognises the importance of research by higher education institutions into robotics to the scientific community and the UK as a whole; congratulates Professor Ross King of Aberystwyth University and the team of scientists from Aberystwyth and Cambridge led by him on their development of what they believe is the first robotic system, Adam, that can independently discover new scientific knowledge, developing its own hypotheses and testing these through experiments; welcomes the important practical applications this research could have for scientists across many different fields to allow them to carry out research more efficiently; acknowledges the wide coverage and respect that this work has generated for Aberystwyth University globally; further recognises the quality of the university's Computer Science department and the contribution that the department makes to the University's reputation, both nationally and internationally; and looks forward to the next phase of this work, which hopes through the project's second robotic system, Eve, to be able to assist scientists in the search for new drugs to combat diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis. |
| 1326 | OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING SCAMS AWARENESS MONTH | 22:4:09 |
| Mark Williams | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Mike Weir | | Paul Holmes |
| That this House welcomes the events organised as part of the Office of Fair Trading's Scams Awareness Month; notes with concern that an estimated three million United Kingdom consumers fall victim to scams sent by email, internet, post, text and the telephone, collectively losing £3.5 billion; recognises the success of the Scamnesty campaign, run in partnership with nearly 90 Local Authority Trading Standards Services, which calls on consumers to drop scam mailings they have received into designated Scamnesty bins or boxes at local libraries and public areas across the country, and which last year collected more than 15,000 mailings; and believes that widespread advice on how to spot scams will help people avoid being deceived in future. |
| 1333 | 100th ANNIVERSARY OF SUFFRAGETTES' PROTEST | 23:4:09 |
| Jo Swinson | | Lynne Featherstone | | Ms Katy Clark | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Mrs Eleanor Laing | | Mrs Theresa May |
| That this House commemorates the 100th anniversary on 27 April 2009 of the day that Margery Humes, Theresa Garnet, Sylvia Russell and Bertha Quinn, suffragettes from the Women's Social and Political Union, chained themselves to statues in St. Stephen's Hall to protest for the right of women to vote; pays tribute to those and all other heroic women who fought for the rights of women during a time when society, and Parliament, thought them undeserving of equal rights; admires their courage and dedication; encourages women to make full use of the hard-earned right to vote and to stand for election; calls on all parties to encourage women's political participation; and looks forward to a day when gender balance in Parliament becomes a reality. |
| As an Amendment to Jo Swinson's proposed Motion (100th Anniversary of Suffragettes' Protest): |
| Line 9, at end add `without positive discrimination but by the will and support of the electorate at the ballot box.'. |
| 1336 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA | 23:4:09 |
| John Bercow | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Andrew Mackay | | David Lepper |
| That this House expresses profound concern at the desperate and deteriorating human rights situation in Burma; condemns the continuing widespread and systematic use of rape as a weapon of war, torture, forced labour, forced relocation, religious persecution, forcible recruitment of child soldiers and use of human minesweepers by the military regime; further condemns the military offensives in eastern Burma, including attacks on civilians, resulting in the internal displacement of one million people and the destruction of more than 3,300 villages in eastern Burma alone, and the imprisonment of over 2,100 political prisoners and continued detention of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi; calls on Her Majesty's Government to draw these gross violations of human rights to the urgent attention of the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General; urges Her Majesty's Government, along with other governments, to propose the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma; and urges the UN to invoke the principle of Responsibility to Protect in relation to the crisis in Burma. |
| 1339 | ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS | 23:4:09 |
| Paul Rowen | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | David Lepper | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House welcomes the Israeli Defence Force's decision to stop using white phosphorus shells in Gaza in 2009 following evidence that they were injuring civilians; notes that, although phosphorus bombs may be used to create smokescreens, their use as weapons in civilian areas is illegal under the Geneva Conventions; recalls the report Rain of Fire by Human Rights Watch; urges Israel to admit that it acted in contravention of the international law principles of distinction and proportionality by using white phosphorus munitions in areas of high civilian density in the recent Gaza conflict; and concludes that Israel must agree to the investigation of this issue by the UN Human Rights Council. |
| 1341 | BREAST CANCER MORTALITY | 24:4:09 |
| Mr David Crausby | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Jim Dobbin | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Glenda Jackson |
| That this House welcomes the fact that the number of women dying from breast cancer has fallen to its lowest level since records began; recognises the Government commitment to the NHS and improvements in chemotherapy, radiotherapy and screening have all contributed to this; and congratulates the Government in promising to extend screening to include all women aged 47 to 73 years of age by 2012. |
| As Amendments to Mr David Crausby's proposed Motion (Breast Cancer Mortality): |
| Line 4, leave out from `and' to `to' and insert `notes that the Government has promised'. |
| Bob Spink | | Dr William McCrea |
| Line 5, at end add `; and urges the Government to bring forward this date.'. |
| 1342 | WARM FRONT SCHEME (No. 2) | 24:4:09 |
| Mr David Crausby | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Jim Dobbin | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| That this House welcomes the announcement in the recent Budget Statement to increase the level of grant available to householders through the Warm Front Scheme; recognises the maximum grants currently available are £2,700 and £4,000 and will be increased to £3,500 and £6,000 respectively; and calls on the Government to ensure that this increase will be administered exclusively to benefit people in households vulnerable to fuel poverty rather than the Warm Front service provider and the sub-contractors. |
| 1351 | UNITE FOR JOBS CAMPAIGN AND NATIONAL MARCH | 27:4:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Sheridan | | Jim Dobbin | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| | Frank Dobson | Mr Adrian Bailey | Shona McIsaac | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Emily Thornberry | Gordon Banks |
| That this House supports the Unite for Jobs national march organised by Unite; fully supports the union's Unite for Jobs campaign which calls for urgent action to defend jobs across the economy; particularly supports the need for a national strategy for creating and protecting jobs and having a clear road map out of this recession, for speedier access to credit from state-supported banks to ensure immediate cash for businesses and jobs, for the implementation of a temporary short-time working subsidy, for investment in schools, hospitals and homes to create green jobs and to support those most in need during the recession, and for greater protection for UK workers by increasing statutory redundancy pay, giving agency workers full redundancy rights and putting the UK on a level playing field with the rest of Europe; believes that hard working people across the country would significantly benefit from the introduction of these measures; and calls on the Government to work with Unite to ensure their implementation. |
| Mrs Anne McGuire | | Tony Baldry | | Mr Terry Rooney | | Hywel Williams | | Richard Younger-Ross | | Dr Hywel Francis |
| | Gwyn Prosser | Dr Evan Harris | Shona McIsaac | | | Mr Fabian Hamilton | Julie Morgan | Dr Gavin Strang | | | Mr Andrew Pelling [R] | Mr Ben Wallace |
| That this House expresses its gratitude to and respect for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help, care and support to a relative or friend who has an illness or disability; notes that the huge contribution that carers make is often unrecognised by society, communities and sometimes within carers' own families and that as a consequence of this lack of recognition carers go without the support they need; acknowledges that most will provide care at some point in their lives and need to have access to information and services and to be listened to; is concerned that professionals may not always understand the role of a carer, nor offer them appropriate support, which risks damaging carers' own health; further notes that Carers Week, a partnership of 10 national charities, takes place this year from 8 to 14 June, with the theme Carers: the UK's Secret Service; and believes that carers need to have a higher profile across all services and be prioritised alongside other groups at risk of social exclusion at a local and national level. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1356 | HOUSE OF COMMONS CLEANERS | 27:4:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Bob Russell | | John McDonnell | | Bob Spink |
| That this House recognises the invaluable contribution made by the House of Commons cleaners; notes that hon. Members depend on the vital services provided by these workers to ensure the smooth running of the House; expresses concern and disappointment that the House of Commons cleaners are receiving an hourly wage below the London Living Wage and that they have been waiting months for an agreed 45 pence rise in their hourly rate; and calls on KGB Cleaning and Support Services, the cleaners' employers, and the House authorities urgently to resolve this unacceptable situation and give these workers the pay they deserve. |
| 1357 | BLACKLISTING IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY | 27:4:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Colin Burgon |
| That this House expresses its strong support for all those workers who are fighting the heinous blacklist operating against trades unionists in the construction industry and elsewhere; believes that workers who have been victimised by unscrupulous employers and have endured periods of unemployment as a result should be fully compensated and that those responsible for operating the blacklist should be open to prosecution for wilfully bringing about unwarranted hardship; notes that over 40 well-known companies such as Balfour Kilpatrick, Crown House, AMEC, Costain and Wimpy were using the services of Ian Kerr Associates to promote the blacklist in the building industry, exposed by the Information Commissioner; calls upon the Government to immediately enforce the Employment Relations Act of 1999 which made the blacklist unlawful; and believes that in the meantime companies found operating the blacklist should be banned from operating on the Olympic project or any other publicly-funded construction site in the UK. |
| 1360 | ENGLISH HERITAGE AND THE PROPOSED PAY SYSTEM | 27:4:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Bob Russell | | Mark Fisher | | Mr David Drew | | Jim Cousins | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House values the expertise and hard work of English Heritage staff based on sites across the country who preserve heritage sites for future generations; is concerned that over 800 staff who work in visitor operations are facing proposals for a new pay system that will have a drastic impact by introducing a complex pay system which rewards staff on higher salaries and penalises those on lower salaries and in visitor operations by introducing market rates, performance-related bonuses and regionalised levels of remuneration, setting levels for lower bands that are considerably below the current statutory salary; notes that visitor operations are the main source of revenue through on-site shops, membership sales, guide books, events and entry charges, and that visitor operations staff take tours, assist with site conservation and maintenance and educate school children; is concerned that many staff claim benefits to support working for English Heritage and under these proposals may find it financially impossible to do the job they are so proud of; and therefore urgently calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to demand that English Heritage management scrap these proposals and ask HM Treasury for the maximum paybill increase of 3.7 per cent. to address the low pay issues in English Heritage. |
| 1363 | MEMBERS SINCE 1979 | 28:4:09 |
| Mr David Winnick | | Peter Bottomley | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Robert Key | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Jim Cunningham |
| That this House warmly welcomes the publication by the Library of its Research Paper, Members since 1979; and congratulates those responsible for providing such detailed biographical information which will be of assistance both to hon. Members and all those involved in the study of politics and Parliament now and in the future. |
| 1364 | SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND SOCIAL COHESION | 28:4:09 |
| Mark Lazarowicz | | Mark Durkan | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell |
| That this House recognises the important role social enterprises have in the promotion of social cohesion and sustainable development within communities, generating substantial social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits; notes the emergence of community benefit contracts which allow public bodies to legally insist on terms that bring extra benefits to disadvantaged communities such as work and training opportunities; and calls on the Government to deliver guidance for procurement officers on the use of community benefit clauses, demonstrating how social enterprises deliver added social value. |
| 1365 | BREAKTHROUGH BREAST CANCER'S LYMPHOEDEMA SERVICES CAMPAIGN | 28:4:09 |
| Annette Brooke [R] | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Anne Main | | Dr Evan Harris |
| | Dr Howard Stoate | Gwyn Prosser | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | | John Austin | Joan Walley | Mr Adrian Bailey | | | Ian Stewart | Mr Gordon Prentice | Frank Cook | | | Mr Peter Robinson | Paul Farrelly | Dan Rogerson | | | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) |
| That this House believes that people with breast cancer who develop symptoms of lymphoedema should be able to access services which enable them to manage their condition more effectively; notes that current service provision may not in all areas provide the specialist services and treatment needed by people with lymphoedema; further notes that local services are vital to ensuring that the pain and discomfort of lymphoedema can be reduced; further notes that healthcare policies and initiatives have been introduced which if delivered would provide much needed lymphoedema services to those areas where they currently may not exist; further notes that more effective data gathering on the incidence of lymphoedema should be implemented at local and national level to ensure that high quality services can be developed and delivered where needed; and supports Breakthrough Breast Cancer's campaign Constant Reminder? - Living with Lymphoedema, which seeks to improve services for people who develop lymphoedema after breast cancer. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1366 | GANGMASTERS LICENSING AUTHORITY | 28:4:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Geraldine Smith | | Jim Sheridan | | Paul Holmes | | Stephen Pound | | Mark Durkan |
| | Norman Baker | Andrew Miller |
| That this House notes that the Gangmasters Licensing Authority was created in the aftermath of the Morecambe Bay tragedy to protect workers from exploitation in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging; congratulates Gangmasters Licensing Authority staff for the good work they do to safeguard the welfare and interests of workers while ensuring that labour providers operate within the law; further notes that the limitations of the Authority's remit leaves workers in other industries vulnerable as gangmasters are diversifying into construction, textiles, catering and cleaning trades, outside the remit of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority; and therefore calls for a widening of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority remit to incorporate all vulnerable workers whether migrant or casual workers, and improved resourcing to enable the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to carry out its functions to achieve the best results possible. |
| 1370 | ZERO-GRAZED LIVESTOCK | 28:4:09 |
| David Taylor | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Bob Russell | | Stephen Pound |
| | John Austin | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mike Wood | | | Mrs Joan Humble | Mr Alan Reid |
| That this House notes the growing trend towards the zero-grazing of dairy cows, lambs and milk-producing goats; further notes that this process confines animals to sheds for all or most of the year; is concerned that such systems are unduly restrictive and oppressive and that the limited investigations that have so far been carried out point to a higher incidence of health problems such as lameness, mastitis, laminitis, acidosis and infertility; and calls on the Government to commission and make publicly available independent research that assesses the scale of zero-grazing of dairy cattle, goats and sheep in the UK, as well as the physical and behavioural problems associated with this method of livestock farming. |
| 1373 | DEATH PENALTY IN TIBET | 28:4:09 |
| Kate Hoey | | Norman Baker | | Mr Frank Field | | John Mason | | Mr Chris Mullin | | Mr George Howarth |
| | Mr James Plaskitt | Mr Mark Todd | Jim Sheridan |
| That this House opposes the use of the death penalty; condemns the recent imposition of the death penalty by the Lhasa Intermediate People's Court on Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, having found them guilty of arson attacks in Lhasa in March 2008 which led to confirmed deaths; further condemns the recent imposition of the death penalty, each with a two year reprieve, by the same court on Tibetans Tenzin Phuntsok, Kangtsuk and on a 21-year-old Tibetan woman, Penkyi, also for arson attacks in Lhasa in March 2008, which led to confirmed deaths; is concerned that evidence against these individuals is unsound, with one of the convicted found guilty on the basis of a confession only months after the UN Committee Against Torture concluded that China regularly uses torture as a means of extracting confessions in criminal proceedings; is further concerned that the trials of those named above were not conducted in accordance with judicial standards and that the death sentences passed are therefore unsafe; calls on the relevant Chinese authorities to rescind the aforementioned death sentences and to provvide unfettered access to Tibet and all Tibetan-populated regions, including court proceedings, for journalists, consular staff based in Beijing and independent observers; and further calls on the British Government publicly to raise its concerns regarding the cases with the Chinese government. |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| That this House remembers the heroic campaign that followed the landings of allied forces at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, on 25 April 1915; joins with all Australians and New Zealanders in commemorating the bravery of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who, together with their British colleagues and others, sacrificed so much in defence of freedom; expresses its pride at the close association that exists between the people of the three nations, bound together by language, history, culture and in sharing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State; and commends all those involved in the organisation of this year's Anzac Day commemorations in London. |
| 1378 | IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC RECESSION ON VOLUNTARY SECTOR | 28:4:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mark Durkan | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Jim Dobbin |
| That this House notes with concern the wide-ranging and adverse effects of the global economic recession; recognises the growing problem of unemployment facing British workers; commends those unemployed workers who have turned to the voluntary sector as a way to gain new skills, get a head-start in an highly competitive job market and make valuable use of their time out of work; and calls on the Government to further promote the merits of voluntary work and the benefits it offers people seeking a route back into employment. |
| 1380 | YOUNG MAYOR PARLIAMENTARY FORUM | 28:4:09 |
| Tim Loughton | | Annette Brooke | | Mrs Maria Miller | | Mr Tobias Ellwood | | Mr Andy Reed | | Angela Watkinson |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Jo Swinson |
| That this House welcomes young mayors and other representatives from local authorities across England to the first Young Mayor Parliamentary Forum held at Portcullis House on 29 April 2009; thanks the National Youth Agency, Children and Young People Now journal, Young Mayor Network and hon. Members who have made this possible; looks forward to this event encouraging the growing number of local authorities who are creating positions of young mayors and sharing best practice to develop their initiative further across the United Kingdom; and sees young mayors as an excellent way of engaging young people in the democratic process and giving them a real and meaningful voice in their local communities. |
| 1381 | ACOUSTICS IN SCHOOLS | 28:4:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr David Drew | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dan Rogerson | | Glenda Jackson | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Dr Howard Stoate | Dr Vincent Cable | Mr David Heath | | | Malcolm Bruce |
| That this House is deeply concerned that new schools are being built which do not comply with government standards on acoustics; notes that children suffering from deafness are much less likely to get five good GCSEs than hearing children; agrees with the National Deaf Children's Society that deafness is not a learning disability and that poor quality acoustics is one of several barriers preventing deaf children being able to achieve their full potential; and calls on the Government to require new schools to be tested for acoustics pre-completion, to monitor and review the quality of acoustics in schools annually, and to ensure that all schools adhere to acoustic standards. |
| 1389 | EXCHEQUER CONTRIBUTION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY CONTRIBUTORY PENSION FUND | 29:4:09 |
| Steve Webb | | Mr Frank Field | | Dr Vincent Cable | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George |
| That this House welcomes the fundamental review of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) being undertaken by the Senior Salaries Review Board; but believes that until that review is complete the Exchequer contribution to the PCPF should not be increased beyond its 2008-09 level. |
| 1393 | WARM FRONT SCHEME (No. 3) | 29:4:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | David Taylor | | Mr Andy Reed | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr John Leech |
| That this House whole-heartedly welcomes the increase in the levels of grant available to householders through the Warm Front Scheme from £2,700 and £4,000 to £3,500 and £6,000 respectively; and calls for a review of the charges levied by service providers and to obtain greater competition and to enable more consumer choice of local businesses. |
| 1394 | CHARITIES AND ICELANDIC BANKS | 29:4:09 |
| Mr Graham Brady | | Mr Michael Fallon | | Jim Cousins | | John Thurso | | Nick Ainger | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | John Austin | Mr Graham Allen | Mr Ian Cawsey | | | Mr Martyn Jones | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House urges the Government to accept the recommendations of the Treasury Select Committee report into the Banking crisis and the impact of the failure of the Icelandic banks (Fifth Report from the Treasury Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 402); notes the recommendation that on this occasion, all charities be compensated for their losses; and further urges the Government to take immediate action to compensate charities so that they can continue with their important work. |
| 1397 | VOTE ON SEAL PRODUCTS IN EUROPE | 29:4:09 |
| Mr Elliot Morley | | Mr Ian McCartney | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Alun Michael | | Judy Mallaber | | Mr Ian Cawsey |
| That this House applauds the members of the European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection for their decision to vote in favour of a complete ban on the commercial trade and importation into the EU of seal products; recognises the Canadian seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on earth; believes that the nature of the hunt is inherently inhumane; deplores the 1.7 million harp seal pups killed since 2003; further notes that public opinion polls consistently show that over 70 per cent. of British and European citizens are opposed to commercial seal hunting; recognises the UK Government's efforts in urging both the European Commission and European Member states to carry forward the wishes of British and European citizens; and calls on all members of the European Parliament to vote for a ban on seal products in Europe. |
| 1399 | RACIST BULLYING IN SCHOOLS | 30:4:09 |
| Keith Vaz | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House notes with concern the Teachers TV survey of education employees which found that 55.1 per cent. of respondents are aware of racist bullying in their school; further notes with alarm that 68.3 per cent. of respondents commented that their school does not have a strategy to help combat racist bullying; commends the work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance in attempting to counter bullying of all kinds; applauds the makers of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks for drawing public attention to this important issue; and calls on the Government to provide sufficient resources to help ensure that schools successfully implement comprehensive strategies against racist bullying. |
| 1400 | ONLINE SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL PATIENTS AND RELATIVES | 30:4:09 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Martin Caton | | Lynne Jones | | David Simpson |
| That this House warmly welcomes the establishment of JustVisiting.com, a not-for-profit company which aims to celebrate and support patient care and develop an online community to unite friends and families when a relative is in hospital; notes that it is a completely secure, confidential, easy to use and easily accessible website; further notes that it has the support as patrons of author Bill Bryson and former Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the National Cancer Research Institute, Professor Sir Kenneth Calman; and congratulates Gateshead Council and the local NHS Trust for their support of this innovative idea. |
| 1401 | 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF MARGARET THATCHER AS PRIME MINISTER | 30:4:09 |
| Mr David Amess | | Sir Michael Spicer | | Mr Michael Howard | | Mr Iain Duncan Smith | | Mr John Whittingdale | | Andrew Rosindell |
| That this House sends its warmest wishes to Baroness Thatcher on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her becoming Britain's first and only female Prime Minister on 3 May 2009; recalls how she transformed the fortunes of the nation at a time when Britain was on its knees; and believes that through her leadership, strength and determination, she made Britain great again and restored the country's former position as a world leader. |
| 1403 | BRITISH CYCLING ROAD RACES | 30:4:09 |
| David Lepper | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Sport that his Department is committed to doing all it can to ensure a bright future for British Cycling road races; further welcomes the setting up of a working group representing the Departments for Culture, Media and Sport, Transport and the Home Office to discuss these issues; and urges all involved to work towards proposals supporting road races which can be put in place for the 2010 season. |
| 1409 | BETFRED STAFF COMPENSATION | 30:4:09 |
| Dr Hywel Francis [R] | | Joan Ryan | | Mr Ian Cawsey | | John Mann | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| That this House notes Betfred's notification to its staff that it plans to remove overtime premium pay for Sundays and bank holidays as well as general overtime; further notes the poor compensation package offered to Betfred staff, which leaves them out of pocket in year one and all remaining years; further notes Betfred's recent announcement of £13.2 million in profit, its recent acquisition of a further 23 betting shops and its recent £4 million sponsorship of the World Snooker Championship; believes that wider economic challenges should not be a pretext or excuse to cut terms and conditions, especially in industries where profit continues to be made; understands that Betfred is issuing termination of contract notifications to those not accepting the compensation package; commends the work of Community - the union for life in its work to stand up for betting shop workers; and calls on Betfred to re-think its proposals, engage in meaningful consultation with its staff and their union representatives and refrain from cuts to terms and conditions. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1413 | ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENTIAL LETTING AGENTS LICENSING SCHEME | 5:5:09 |
| Mr James Plaskitt | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Clive Betts | | Bob Spink |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Mrs Joan Humble |
| That this House notes with concern that the private lettings sector is currently unlicensed, a situation which poses risks to both landlords and tenants; further notes that without rules and standards, many people could be putting their money in the hands of people who are not members of a professional body, not obliged to maintain separate client accounts with rent money and tenants' deposits as well as other clients' funds, do not offer consumer redress, are unlikely to have professional indemnity insurance, are not professionally qualified, or are not members of a tenancy deposit scheme; believes the licensing of letting agents is necessary to eliminate unprofessional, unqualified and unethical agents from the rental market, and to protect the consumer from unscrupulous letting agents; believes that the Association of Residential Letting Agents licensing scheme will provide a model that will drive up standards and can inform the Government's thinking on the licensing of letting agents; and urges the Government to consider making the licensing of letting agents mandatory. |
| 1415 | PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR STATE RETIREMENT PENSION | 5:5:09 |
| David Heyes | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink |
| | Mr Peter Kilfoyle | Mr David Hamilton | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) |
| That this House believes that the state retirement pension should become payable from the actual date that a person reaches pensionable age, rather than from the first Monday thereafter, as is currently the case; and calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to facilitate payment of pension from the actual date that a person reaches the age of entitlement. |
| 1417 | UNITED BISCUITS JOB LOSSES | 5:5:09 |
| Mr George Howarth | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | David Simpson | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Angus MacNeil |
| That this House is alarmed at the proposal to outsource the finance function of United Biscuits to India with the potential loss of 170 jobs in Liverpool; condemns the company's unwillingness to engage in meaningful consultation with its workforce or with the Unite trade union or to divulge any relevant information; further condemns its eagerness to sacrifice workers who have loyally supported a highly profitable commercial operation; notes with concern that the company also plans to invest in manufacturing in India; and further notes that United Biscuits is owned by Blackstone, the private equity concern, which appears to be solely pursuing ever greater profits without taking account of any other considerations. |
| 1421 | WOMEN'S PAY IN THE FINANCE SECTOR | 5:5:09 |
| Harry Cohen | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Peter Bottomley [R] | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House notes the report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission which identifies a 60 per cent. gender pay gap in the finance sector; believes that this is an intolerable injustice; and urges the Government and businesses in the finance sector, while rebuilding the reputation of banks and financial services companies, to end the gross inequalities faced by women in the finance sector. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1423 | PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN AND EQUITABLE LIFE POLICYHOLDERS | 5:5:09 |
| Dr Vincent Cable | | Susan Kramer | | Daniel Kawczynski | | Derek Wyatt | | Mr Andrew Tyrie | | Dr Tony Wright |
| | Mr Nigel Waterson | Sir Peter Viggers | Dr Evan Harris | | | Tim Loughton | Mr Anthony Wright | John Austin | | | Mike Gapes | Mr David Heath | Mr William Cash | | | Shona McIsaac | Mr Michael Clapham | Andrew Miller | | | Graham Stringer | Ben Chapman | Mrs Betty Williams | | | Mr Peter Robinson | John Mann | Mr John Baron | | | Mr Tobias Ellwood | Chris Huhne | Julia Goldsworthy | | | Mr Adam Holloway | Mr Richard Benyon | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) | | | Mr Edward Vaizey | John Penrose | Gordon Banks | | | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House notes the Parliamentary Ombudsman has taken the unusual step of using powers under the 1967 Act to present Parliament with a further and final report on Equitable Life; also notes that the Public Administration Select Committee's second report on Equitable Life, Justice denied? concluded that the Government response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report was inadequate as a remedy for injustice; recognises the vital role the Ombudsman plays in public life; reaffirms the duty of Parliament to support the office of the Ombudsman; believes the Government should accept the recommendations of the Ombudsman on compensating policyholders who have suffered loss; welcomes the formation of the All-Party Group on Justice for Equitable Life Policyholders; and notes with regret its necessary formation and the fact that over 30,000 people have already died waiting for a just resolution to this saga. |
| 1424 | NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION MARKET | 5:5:09 |
| Simon Hughes | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mark Hunter |
| | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mr Denis Murphy | Daniel Kawczynski |
| That this House notes that newsagents across the country, as represented by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and the Association of News Retailers, have expressed serious concern about the recent consolidation of the newspaper and magazine distribution market and the likely emergence of two regional monopolies; values the important role of independent newsagents and is concerned that these changes in the market may force many to close, restricting consumer choice and harming local communities, as well as causing up to 2,800 job losses in news distribution branches across the UK; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to request that the Office of Fair Trading looks urgently at these recent developments in the distribution market and takes action to safeguard competition for the benefit of consumers, independent newsagents and distribution employees alike. |
| 1425 | RACISM IN FOOTBALL | 5:5:09 |
| Keith Vaz | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr George Howarth |
| That this House welcomes the steps being taken by the Football Association to counter racism in football; applauds the proposals of the Football Association's working group on tackling Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in football to introduce tribunals to investigate racist and religious abuse at all levels of the game; encourages the football authorities fully to utilise the powers at their disposal to tackle all forms of abuse; recognises the need for the football community as a whole to unite to stamp out intolerance in the sport; and looks forward to the publication of the working group's report containing their full recommendations later in the year. |
| 1430 | ADULT LEARNERS' WEEK 9 TO 15 MAY | 6:5:09 |
| Mr David Willetts | | Michael Gove | | Mr John Hayes | | Mr David Evennett | | Adam Afriyie | | Mr Stephen Crabb |
| That this House welcomes Adult Learners' Week and the events being organised all over the country to celebrate the achievements of adult learners; notes with regret the cuts to the number of Learning and Skills Council-funded adult learner places, which have led to 865,000 fewer female learners and 375,000 fewer male learners since 2004-05; is concerned about the opportunities that have been closed to some of the most vulnerable people, including those with learning disabilities and other disabilities; regrets the failure to plan the adult apprenticeship budget, which is likely to lead to a decrease in the number of places available; is further concerned about the slow pace of the Government's attempt to deal with the capital crisis in further education; and calls on Ministers to provide new opportunities to adult learners during the recession. |
| 1431 | SAFETY IN NUMBERS FOR CYCLISTS | 6:5:09 |
| Gwyn Prosser | | Sir Peter Soulsby | | Andrew George | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Emily Thornberry | | Mr Don Foster |
| | Mr Oliver Heald | Dr Evan Harris | Joan Ryan | | | Mr Edward Davey | Sir John Butterfill | Mr David Heath | | | Alan Simpson | Geraldine Smith | Sandra Osborne | | | Mr Mohammad Sarwar | Mr Alan Reid | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Jo Swinson | Mr Lee Scott | Tim Farron |
| That this House acknowledges the evidence that cyclists gain from safety in numbers, in other words cycling gets safer the more cyclists there are; welcomes the target in the Government's draft Road Safety Strategy to halve the risks of cycling within 10 years; believes that this target can best be met by also aiming for substantial increases in cycle use in order to maximise the safety in numbers effect, thereby also benefiting health, communities, the economy and the environment; urges that the Road Safety Strategy should tackle the fears which deter people from cycling, such as traffic speeds, irresponsible driving, hostile roads and junctions and lorries; and calls for cycle training to be made available to people of all ages so as to achieve more as well as safer cycling. |
| 1432 | LEHMAN-BACKED STRUCTURED PRODUCTS | 6:5:09 |
| Mr Edward Vaizey | | Tony Baldry | | Bob Spink | | Sir John Butterfill | | Adam Price | | Dr Richard Taylor |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr Michael Clapham |
| That this House notes that more than 6,000 people invested more than £200 million of their savings in structured products backed by Lehman Brothers; further notes that such products were marketed as 100 per cent. secure by the companies that sold them, such as NDFA; is dismayed that, following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, investors appear to have lost their savings; and urges the Financial Services Authority to conduct a rapid and detailed investigation into the marketing of these products. |
| 1433 | CAROL ANN DUFFY'S APPOINTMENT AS POET LAUREATE | 6:5:09 |
| Mr John Leech | | Andrew Stunell | | Mark Hunter | | Mr Don Foster | | Andrew George | | Mr Edward Vaizey |
| That this House congratulates Carol Ann Duffy on being appointed Poet Laureate; notes that she is the first woman to hold the position; celebrates her contribution to the British literary landscape as well as that of Manchester; notes also her involvement in local events such as the Chorlton Arts Festival; and wishes her every success in the coming years. |
| 1434 | WOLVERHAMPTON AND BILSTON TRADES COUNCIL MAY DAY CELEBRATION | 6:5:09 |
| Mr Ken Purchase | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Mr Dennis Skinner | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson |
| That this House congratulates Wolverhampton and Bilston Trades Council for organising yet another spendid May Day celebration for local workers and their families who enjoyed entertainments and buffet food free of charge; and expresses its thanks to all the exhibitors who displayed campaign materials from Latin American groups, Fairtrade, anti-fascist Hope not Hate workers and bookstalls offering socialist and Labour movement literature. |
| 1435 | MISS JOANNA LUMLEY | 6:5:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Edward Vaizey | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Robert Key |
| That this House congratulates Miss Joanna Lumley for her determination and dedication in campaigning so successfully in support of former Gurkha soldiers. |
| Mr Michael Clapham | | Mr Dennis Skinner | | Mr Denis Murphy | | John Cummings | | Bill Etherington | | Mr David Hamilton |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson |
| That this House welcomes the Government's acceptance of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommendations that osteoarthritis of the knee be declared an industrial disease for coal miners and payments under the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme be made available shortly for those disabled by the condition; notes that certain firms of solicitors are seeking to make yet more money out of disabled miners by offering to assist them complete their application forms at a cost of £300 when applications to the Department of Work and Pensions are cost-free; and believes that this activity combined with the likelihood that litigation will grind on for years at an enormous cost makes an overwhelming case for the introduction of a no-fault compensation scheme. |
| Bob Spink | | John Hemming | | Mr David Drew | | Peter Bottomley | | Mrs Linda Riordan | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House notes that the removal of the right for local police forces and local authorities to retain speed camera fines was followed by a significant reduction in the number of speed cameras; further notes that road fatalities fell to their lowest level at the same time; and calls on the Government to ensure that speed cameras are used at accident black spots and that speed signage is improved to help motorists keep within the law. |
| 1439 | UNIVERSITY OF WALES BUSINESS SUPPORT | 6:5:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dr Hywel Francis |
| That this House recognises a pioneering and entrepreneurial approach to supporting business through the use of creativity, which is being launched by the University of Wales, Newport at its Creative Capital event in the East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf from 11 to 13 May; welcomes the launch of its Entrepreneurship Foundation incorporating its innovative Sandpit ideas workshops to support innovation and collaboration in the private and public sectors; congratulates the university for being at the forefront of research into convergent media and next generation broadcasting through the launch of its Institute of Advanced Broadcasting at this event; and welcomes its new web-based portal for showcasing new photography and fashion talent in the UK. |
| 1440 | REGULATION OF VULTURE FUNDS | 6:5:09 |
| Ms Sally Keeble | | Tony Baldry | | Mr David S. Borrow | | Susan Kramer | | Mr David Anderson | | Mr Lee Scott |
| | Mr Mark Oaten | Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews | Laura Moffatt | | | Stephen Pound | John Austin | Roger Berry | | | Mr Robert Walter | Clare Short | Mr Roger Godsiff | | | Judy Mallaber | Mr Bob Laxton | Alan Simpson | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mr Marsha Singh | Colin Burgon | | | Mr Fabian Hamilton | Mrs Joan Humble | Geraldine Smith | | | Sir Alan Beith | Mr David Clelland | Lembit Öpik | | | Colin Challen | Dr Richard Taylor | David Howarth | | | Dan Rogerson | Lorely Burt | Mr Jeremy Browne |
| That this House expresses concern at the activities of vulture funds which seek to profiteer from the defaulted debts of developing countries; notes that the international community has already deemed many of these countries' debts unsustainable and agreed to cancel them; further notes the continuing actions brought by vulture funds which try to claim payment via international trade and even aid transactions with poor countries; is concerned at the use of UK courts for a high proportion of these cases; welcomes the work by the Jubilee Debt Campaign to highlight the activities of the vulture funds; supports the provisions of the Developing Country Debt (Restriction of Recovery) Bill introduced, with the support of a cross-party group of hon. Members, by the hon. Member for Northampton North to limit the activities of vulture funds; and calls on the Government to support this bill. |
| 1442 | RADIOACTIVE LEAKS FROM FASLANE NUCLEAR SUBMARINE BASE | 6:5:09 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Dai Davies | | Alan Simpson | | Kelvin Hopkins | | John McDonnell | | Ms Diane Abbott |
| That this House is deeply disturbed at the revelations of at least eight liquid radioactive leaks into the sea loch over the past 10 years from radioactive waste storage facilities at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, near Glasgow, the home port for British nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines, made public on 27 April 2009 following an investigation carried out by Channel Four News and investigative reporter Rob Edwards; notes with alarm that these latest leaks bring the total number of leaks acknowledged at Faslane over the last three decades to more than 40; welcomes the release of around 400 pages of internal e-mails, letters and reports by the environmental regulator, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA); further notes with concern that one of SEPA's internal reports indicates that many of the ageing facilities used to process, store and dispose of radioactive waste at Faslane are `not fit for purpose'; further notes that the Ministry of Defence has admitted its facilities fail to meet modern safety standards requiring that the `best practicable means' are used to minimise and control waste; further notes SEPA is pressing for the legal power to inspect and control Faslane's nuclear operations; therefore calls upon the Ministry of Defence to urgently tighten safety standards at Faslane, and to evaluate the future environmental hazards to those living around the River Clyde, from Faslane; and calls upon the Government to consider urgently the benefits to the economy and the environment of abolishing Britain's current nuclear weapons, including the planned £76 billion Trident replacement. |
| 1443 | MORDECHAI VANUNU | 6:5:09 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Bob Russell | | Dr Brian Iddon | | John Hemming | | Mr David Drew | | Simon Hughes |
| | Mr Jim Cunningham | Alan Simpson |
| That this House deplores the fact that Mordechai Vanunu, released in April 2004 after serving a full 18-year sentence for revealing details of Israel's nuclear weapons' programme, has now had restrictions on his freedom of movement and speech in Israel renewed for yet a sixth year on 21 April; notes also that he is barred from leaving Israel and from speaking to foreigners for which latter offence he was sentenced last year to six months imprisonment, later reduced to three months; and calls upon the Government to request the Israeli government to procure the final lifting of these restrictions, which have no legal or security justification and are an infringement of Mordechai Vanunu's human rights. |
| 1444 | SUPPLEMENTARY CHARGES FOR OXYGEN BY AIRLINES | 6:5:09 |
| Nick Ainger [R] | | Dr Richard Taylor | | Dr Vincent Cable | | Chris Ruane | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| | Mr David Amess | Mr Ian Taylor | Joan Ryan | | | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson | Mr David Chaytor | | | Mrs Joan Humble | Frank Cook | Charles Hendry | | | Mr Jonathan Djanogly | Bill Wiggin | Angela Watkinson | | | Mark Williams | Julia Goldsworthy |
| That this House recognises that patients with pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscular dystrophy and other conditions require supplemental oxygen when travelling by air; is dismayed that the vast majority of airlines operating in the UK currently charge passengers requiring supplemental oxygen on flights; applauds the work of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the British Lung Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to end the unfair financial impact of what is effectively a tax on the disabled; calls on all airlines flying from or through UK airports to allow passengers requiring in-flight supplemental oxygen to either bring personal oxygen equipment on board and use it, subject to necessary security checks, or to have supplemental oxygen provided for them by the airline, in both cases without charge; welcomes the recent decision by British Airways, Emirates and Cathay Pacific to drop all charges; notes that as of 1 May 2009 airlines in the United States of America will have to allow passengers requiring supplemental oxygen to be able to use their own portable oxygen concentrator free of charge; and urges all airlines operating in the UK to follow suit. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1445 | BARNET COUNCIL AND THE LIDBURY SQUARE DEVELOPMENT MILL HILL | 6:5:09 |
| Mr Andrew Dismore | | Clive Efford | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr Andrew Love | | Frank Dobson | | Emily Thornberry |
| That this House notes that Conservative Barnet Council has been collecting full-rate council tax from residents in the Lidbury Square development, Mill Hill East since 2002; further notes that Barnet Council has refused to adopt the roads, thus giving itself the excuse not to deliver the full range of services for which residents are paying, including no street sweeping, no street lighting maintenance and no upkeep of the highways; further notes this abnegation of responsibility is based on the council's failure to reach agreement with the developer Crest Nicholson and the utility companies; believes this is also due to the failure of Barnet Council either to specify sufficiently stringent requirements in the planning consent for the scheme or to enforce such conditions, if they are adequate; believes this to be an appalling example of yet another Conservative jobsworth council failing its residents; and calls upon the Government to investigate Conservative Barnet's extraction of council taxes under the false pretences of providing non-existent services to the residents of Lidbury Square. |
| 1446 | CENTENARY OF NAVAL AVIATION | 7:5:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Michael Fabricant | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David S. Borrow |
| That this House notes with pride the centenary anniversary of the Admiralty's visionary decision on 7 May 1909 to embark on a development programme for military aviation by ordering the first airship HMS Airship 1; notes that consequently when the First World War broke out the British Royal Navy was not only prepared but was able to be the forerunner of innovative military strategy; recognises the continually valuable contribution being made by the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm to UK defence commitments worldwide; commends the flexibility, adaptability and professionalism that has become the hallmark of the Fleet Air Arm; and looks forward to the Fleet Air Arm continuing to make an invaluable contribution to UK defence in its hundredth year and going forward. |
| 1447 | SCHOOL REPORT CARDS | 7:5:09 |
| Mr David Laws | | Mr David Heath | | Annette Brooke | | Stephen Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House would welcome the introduction of school report cards provided that they give a broader and more meaningful assessment of school performance and quality; awaits the publication of the Government's White Paper on report cards later this year; welcomes the decision to abolish compulsory national curriculum tests at Key Stage 3; and believes Key Stage 2 tests are an important accountability measure but should be reformed and slimmed down with more teacher assessment coupled with external moderation to ensure high standards are maintained. |
| 1448 | PROTON THERAPY TREATMENT | 7:5:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Simon Hughes | | Bob Spink | | Mr Colin Breed |
| That this House notes with grave concern the increasing number of British cancer patients who are having to travel abroad to receive the life saving treatment proton therapy; further notes that unlike radiotherapy, most of the radiation used during proton therapy is concentrated on the tumour meaning that the amount of radiation affecting normal tissues can be reduced to half or even one tenth at the same time as delivering the same or higher dose to the cancer; accepts that the treatment has been found to be more effective at reducing collateral radiation which is particularly beneficial for patients whose cancers are close to the spinal cord, brain, heart, eye or ear; is appalled at the fact that treatment is not readily available within the UK; and calls on the Government to invest in a specialist treatment centre to allow cancer patients to receive proton therapy in the UK. |
| Mr Nigel Evans | | Lynne Jones | | Glenda Jackson | | Ann Winterton | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Bob Spink |
| That this House calls for the identity cards scheme to be scrapped; notes that Manchester will become the first city where people can sign up for an identity card; further notes that the cost of the cards will be capped at £30 for the first two years and then there will be an additional cost to the applicant of getting a card via a post office or high street pharmacy meaning that the total cost will be £60; understands that the scheme will cost £5 billion; believes that a single city voluntary basis trial is a waste of time and money; and calls on the Government to abandon all plans for an identity cards scheme. |
| 1450 | PRISONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR | 7:5:09 |
| Paul Rowen | | Lynne Jones | | Jim Dobbin | | Mrs Linda Riordan | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House notes the recent trend towards privatisation of prisons; further notes the persistently low performance of such privatised prisons in the prison service league table and the prison quarterly league tables; questions the ability of privatised prisons to maintain prison discipline and a safe environment for prison employees; agrees with the Prison Officers' Association in its opposition to prison privatisation; and calls for an end to further privatisation of prisons including HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale which is currently tendering private applications. |
| 1451 | TRADE UNION RECOGNITION BY NATIONAL EXPRESS IN NORTH AMERICA | 7:5:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Mr David Drew | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Jim Dobbin |
| That this House is concerned to learn about the anti-union behaviour of management at UK-based National Express Group's North American yellow school bus subsidiaries; notes that when US and Canadian National Express workers seek to organise collectively in trade unions they are faced with a management that behaves in a manner that seriously undermines the fundamental human rights of its employees to choose a union and engage in collective bargaining; is appalled that the company's executive board of directors, despite having been alerted to these serious violations, has failed to take action in support of the company's own corporate social responsibility policy; believes that employee representation in the workplace is an individual and collective right; further believes that in recognition of this, and as an encouragement to industry to promote harmonious employee relations, companies that breach accepted international labour standards and former Department of Trade and Industry framework guidance by refusing to recognise trade unions or actively campaign against them, whether in the UK or in subsidiaries abroad, should have their track record in this area taken into account when deciding rail franchises, bus quality contracts and school bus contracts or procurement agreements by central or local government or their agencies; urges National Express to adopt and enforce a Freedom of Association Policy and a Compliance Monitoring Programme along the lines of that already introduced by FirstGroup, their major competitor in North America. |
| 1452 | POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BURMA | 7:5:09 |
| John Bercow | | Andrew Stunell | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson | | | Helen Southworth | Ian Stewart | Mrs Joan Humble | | | Dr Gavin Strang | John Penrose | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House welcomes the Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now campaign being organised by former political prisoners from Burma; congratulates the organisers on securing 250,000 signatures in support of the campaign; notes that more than 2,100 political prisoners languish in Burma's gaols, having committed no crime other than to want freedom and democracy, or to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis; expresses deep concern that political prisoners are deliberately being denied medical treatment; supports the call for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners; and calls on the Government to do all it can to assist the UN Secretary General in this objective. |
| 1453 | DETENTION OF PAKISTANI STUDENTS | 7:5:09 |
| Mr Mohammad Sarwar | | Lynne Jones | | Glenda Jackson | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Angus MacNeil | | Mr Virendra Sharma |
| That this House calls on the Home Office to intervene in the case of the 11 Pakistani students arrested on 8 April 2009 as part of a security operation and released into UK Border Agency detention without charge and who are currently awaiting removal from the UK; notes that these students were not charged and that as such the human rights of these individuals are being materially breached; further notes that the fundamental tenet and basis of the UK justice system is being innocent until proven guilty; and calls for their immediate release to enable them to resume their studies. |
| 1454 | PROPOSED SALE OF ROSSENDALE TRANSPORT | 7:5:09 |
| Janet Anderson | | Mr Greg Pope | | Lynne Jones | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Graham Stringer |
| That this House recognises that Rossendale Transport is one of the most successful bus companies in the country; acknowledges that it is one of the few local authority-owned bus companies that makes a profit and thus contributes funding to Rossendale Borough Council; notes that Councillor Anne Cheetham, Conservative chair of Rossendale Transport, is on the record in the March edition of Bus and Coach News as saying `we are not exploring any option to sell Rossendale Transport because it is very important to Rossendale'; further notes that Rossendale Transport is much loved by the people of the Rossendale Valley for its good service delivery; and calls on the Minister for Local Government and Rossendale Borough Council to reject any proposals to sell it off. |
| 1455 | MIND WEEK CAMPAIGN ON MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH | 11:5:09 |
| Lynne Jones | | Tim Loughton | | Sandra Gidley | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George |
| | Mr David Heath | Alan Simpson |
| That this House supports the Mind Week campaign to raise awareness of men's mental health in England and Wales; notes that 75 per cent. of all suicides are by men and that one in seven men who experience prolonged unemployment will develop a mental health problem; is concerned that the recession will have a disproportionately negative effect on the mental health of men in England and Wales; and further supports Mind's call for greater awareness of men's mental health problems. |
| 1456 | GAZA 100 EVENT | 11:5:09 |
| Mr George Galloway | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Paul Flynn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House notes that Gaza remains subject to a siege which has inhibited reconstruction after the recent conflict and continues to bear down particularly badly on children in Gaza; further notes that UK-registered charities are organising a Gaza 100 event on 23 May in Mile End, Tower Hamlets; further notes that the event intends to bring together a world record number of people to run 100 metres; further notes that the purpose of the event is to raise money to help the children of Gaza; further notes that Gaza 100 can make a significant contribution to helping children in Gaza; and encourages as many people as possible to participate in this event. |
| 1457 | NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK | 11:5:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Lee Scott | | David Taylor | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House wholeheartedly welcomes any attempt to bring people and communities together; notes with pleasure the UK's first National Family Week which runs from 25 to 31 May 2009 and which will celebrate good family life and encourage families to communicate more and spend more time with each other; and calls on the Government to develop policies which support important issues such as fatherhood, work-life balance for families, parenting and the impact of disability on family life. |
| 1458 | ANDY MURRAY AND BRITISH TENNIS | 11:5:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Philip Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House congratulates Andy Murray on his move into the top three of the ATP world rankings; notes that Murray is the highest-ranking British tennis player since the current system was established in 1973; recognises his achievement in the week that marks the centenary of Fred Perry's birth, the name synonymous with British tennis success following his three Wimbledon championships titles in the 1930s; hopes that Murray's success will be an inspiration to budding young tennis stars; and wishes Murray luck in his pursuit of a Grand Slam title and further career victories. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink |
| That this House welcomes the Government's announcement to equip all homes with smart meters by 2020; notes that smart meters will be a significant step forward in reducing the UK's energy use, cutting carbon emissions, making headway in the Government's pledge to create a smart grid and, further, significantly saving customers money; further notes that smart meters will end the need for utility companies to dispatch meter readers, estimate bills and employ large numbers of call centre staff, resulting in cost savings that can responsibly be passed on to customers; and looks forward to smart meters allowing customers increased awareness of their energy consumption and enabling an estimated two to three per cent. saving of their energy use each year, thereby cutting £100 million from UK bills by 2020 and reducing national carbon dioxide emissions by 2.6 million tonnes. |
| 1460 | LOCAL NEWSPAPER WEEK | 11:5:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Philip Davies |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House values the important role performed by local newspapers; agrees with The Newspaper Society that local newspapers are the most trusted source of local news and advertising; welcomes the Society's 11th annual Local Newspaper Week, which is being held between 11 and 17 May 2009; acknowledges that local newspapers are right at the heart of Britain's local communities and have a vital role in assisting the democratic process through coverage of local events and by campaigns on important local issues; and looks forward to local newspapers continuing to make an essential contribution to the vitality of local communities. |
| 1461 | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BILL | 11:5:09 |
| Mr John Prescott | | Mr Kevin Barron | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Clive Efford | | Mrs Anne McGuire | | Helen Southworth |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson |
| That this House, in celebrating 10 years of the minimum wage, welcomes the above-inflation overall increase in its value over that time; notes with concern the proposal to give the Employment Opportunities Bill, which would abolish the minimum wage, a second reading; calls on the Leader of the Opposition to distance his party from attempts seeking to impoverish low paid workers by this means; and welcomes the Wage Concern campaign to protect the minimum wage. |
| As Amendments to Mr John Prescott's proposed Motion (Employment Opportunities Bill): |
| Mr Christopher Chope | | Mr James Gray | | Mr Greg Knight | | Philip Davies | | Mr John Whittingdale | | Mr Brian Binley |
| Line 1, leave out `celebrating' and insert `noting'. |
| Mr Christopher Chope | | Mr James Gray | | Mr Greg Knight | | Philip Davies | | Mr John Whittingdale | | Mr Brian Binley |
| Line 1, leave out from `welcomes' to end and add `the publication of the Employment Opportunities Bill which would inter alia give a right to work to asylum seekers whose applications for asylum are awaiting determination and which would also enable any employee who would otherwise qualify for entitlement to the national minimum wage to elect to opt out from such entitlement; notes that the Bill does not abolish the minimum wage; regrets that the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East and his colleagues have failed to comprehend the contents of the Bill; and calls on them to bring to the attention of the public the contents of Clause 2(5) of the Bill which makes clear that nothing in the Bill shall require a person to take employment below the minimum wage and that no person shall suffer any detriment to their entitlement to national insurance benefits by reason of their unwillingness to take employment below the minimum wage.'. |
| 1462 | ARRESTS OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY PARTY MEMBERS IN TURKEY | 11:5:09 |
| John Austin | | Graham Stringer | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | David Lepper | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House is concerned about the recent wave of arrests in Turkey of members of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), a legal political party which, in the recent Turkish local elections, achieved a resounding endorsement from Kurdish voters; notes that the Party's success awakened hope for many millions of Kurds that their voice would be heard in Turkish politics; regrets that in responding to the DTP's electoral victories with repression, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is revealing itself to be little different from previous administrations which have refused to acknowledge the existence of a Kurdish issue and thus offered no solutions for resolving it; believes that it is the duty of all those who seek peace and stability in Turkey to support the responsible calls for a just democratic solution to the issue of the rights of the Kurdish people; calls for the immediate release of all those DTP members who have been arrested; and urges the UK Government to put the utmost diplomatic pressure on Turkey to turn away from conflict and to open negotiations with DTP leaders forthwith as it believes the DTP has a key role to play in any peace process and bringing stability to the region. |
| 1463 | INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY | 11:5:09 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Andrew George | | Mr Lee Scott | | John Cummings | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Bob Russell |
| That this House joins the rest of the UK in celebrating International Nurses Day on 12 May which is also the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale; recognises the vital role the nursing workforce plays in maintaining the health of the nation and the dedication and commitment they show in providing patient care in a wide variety of settings in which they work in the NHS, private sector and elsewhere; acknowledges the expertise, compassion and professionalism nurses display in treating patients of all ages from neonatal care to end-of-life provision; praises the wide range of specialist settings where nurses work as practitioners at the forefront of modernising the healthcare system and the role nurses play in the leadership and innovation of the NHS; and gives thanks to those nurses serving in the armed forces and recognises the essential role they play both in the UK and areas of conflict abroad. |
| 1464 | 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMBAT STRESS | 11:5:09 |
| Mr Bernard Jenkin | | Sir Menzies Campbell | | Mr David Davis | | Mr James Arbuthnot | | Mr David S. Borrow | | Mr Frank Field |
| That this House notes that 12 May is the 90th anniversary of Combat Stress, the leading charity specialising in the care of British veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their service career and who are suffering from poor mental health as a result; congratulates the charity on the excellent work it has done for ex-servicemen and women throughout its history and particularly in the last few years with armed forces personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan; and congratulates Combat Stress further on its highly successful campaign to have psychological wounding recognised as an occupational hazard of military service and addressed as effectively as the Government already addresses physical injury. |
| 1465 | 64th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS | 11:5:09 |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Henry Bellingham | | Daniel Kawczynski | | Geraldine Smith | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House joins with the people of the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark in celebrating the 64th anniversary of their liberation by British military forces from German occupation on 9 May 1945; pays a heartfelt tribute to the courageous stand for freedom taken by the Channel Islanders during their years of occupation when, despite the extreme persecution and hardship they faced, they never lost hope that their liberation would take place; and calls on the Government to continue to fulfil its historic duty to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Channel Islands, guaranteeing their safety, freedom and independence for centuries to come. |
| 1466 | COCAINE AND CUTTING AGENTS | 12:5:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Ian McCartney | | Mr Ronnie Campbell |
| That this House welcomes the news that the international cocaine market is under pressure; recognises the Organised Crime Agency's success resulting in dramatically increased wholesale cocaine prices; notes with concern the use of chemicals such as the cancer-causing drug phenacetin, cockroach insecticide and pet worming powder as cutting agents which seriously increase the harmful effects of the drug; and calls on the Government to continue the war on drugs. |
| 1467 | PERSONAL CARE CHARGES | 12:5:09 |
| Sarah Teather | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Bob Spink | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House notes that an estimated half a million older people are not having their care needs met; expresses concern that every year at least 50,000 elderly people are forced to sell their homes in order to fund long-term care; supports Brent Council's decision to listen to people in Brent by not introducing large increases for personal care charges this year; believes the current funding system for personal care for the elderly in England is unfair, ineffective and unsustainable; and calls on the Government to implement urgent radical reform, including an extra £2 billion investment, to help fund a care guarantee which would entitle all older people to a personal care payment, based on need and not ability to pay. |
| 1468 | BRITISH PHYSICS OLYMPIAD | 12:5:09 |
| Mr Phil Willis | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | David Taylor |
| That this House congratulates all of the competitors in the 2009 British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) and hopes that those selected to travel to Mexico to compete in the International Olympiad are able to do so safely; praises the BPhO's excellent efforts in inspiring young people to further study in physics; recognises the importance of these efforts at a time when six out of 10 science, technology, engineering and mathematics employers state that they are having difficulty recruiting; regrets that the Department for Children, Schools and Families has decided to discontinue funding for the UK team to travel to the international competition; and calls on the Government to reinstate this funding. |
| 1469 | NATIONAL EXPRESS EAST COAST MAIN LINE FRANCHISE | 12:5:09 |
| Jim Cousins | | Mrs Linda Riordan | | Mark Lazarowicz | | Ms Katy Clark | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Bill Etherington |
| That this House is gravely concerned that a termination of the One East Coast Main Line rail franchise by the operator, National Express, could leave a billion pound plus hole in Government finances, since under the franchise National Express was due to pay the Government £1.4 billion in premium payments up to 2015; recognises that privatisation has failed the East Coast Main Line for a second time after the previous collapse of the GNER franchise; notes that a publicly-funded modernisation of the East Coast Main Line was followed by years of public subsidy to support private operators; is appalled that the National Express Group paid out nearly £60 million in dividends to shareholders in 2008 and attempted to protect revenue by increasing fares and slashing jobs to protect profit margins; believes there must be no renegotiation of rail franchises and that if franchise commitments cannot be met they should be taken into public ownership; urges the Government to prevent a defaulting operator holding any other franchises or bidding for other rail contracts; and calls on the Government to hold an urgent debate on the future of rail franchises and whether a publicly-owned railway would offer a better deal to taxpayers and passengers alike. |
| 1470 | BUILDING COLLEGES FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAMME | 12:5:09 |
| Hugh Bayley | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Mark Fisher | | Andrew Stunell | | Ian Stewart | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House notes with great concern the reduction in the Building Colleges for the Future programme in England funded by the Learning and Skills Council; notes that this will undermine the long-term plans of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills for improving the nation's skills base; regrets the consequent loss of some 40,000 construction jobs at a time of great difficulty for the industry, along with the waste of taxpayers' money in bidding costs for cancelled projects; and urges HM Treasury to recognise both the short- and long-term economic importance of this programme by allocating sufficient resources to permit its immediate revival. |
| 1471 | BOGUS COLLEGES | 12:5:09 |
| Mrs Janet Dean | | Mr Gary Streeter | | Tom Brake | | Martin Salter | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Gwyn Prosser | John Austin | Dr Doug Naysmith | | | Mr David Heath | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson | | | Mike Wood | Mr David Chaytor | Ian Stewart | | | Mrs Joan Humble | Mr Eric Martlew | Sir Alan Beith | | | Mr Denis Murphy | Mr Chris Mullin | Lady Hermon | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Jo Swinson | Dr Alasdair McDonnell |
| That this House believes that bogus colleges set up with the express purpose of enabling prospective immigrants to bypass ordinary UK immigration controls, and not providing education and training, prey on unsuspecting students from overseas and are damaging the reputation of UK education; and further believes that the future use of the word `college' in business titles should be restricted under the Companies Act 2006. |
| 1472 | VOTING AGE AND 16-YEAR-OLDS | 12:5:09 |
| Jo Swinson | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Alan Simpson | Sir Robert Smith |
| That this House commemorates the 40th anniversary on 12 May 2009 of the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 years; notes that in the eyes of the law young people aged 16 years can take on full-time jobs, pay taxes and become sexually active; further notes that a recent report by the Electoral Reform Society shows that polling of 16 and 17 year-olds consistently shows that a majority want the voting age lowered to 16 years; and urges the Government to lower the voting age to 16 years to ensure young people's rights reflect their responsibilities. |
| Mr Eric Martlew | | Miss Ann Widdecombe | | Mr David Drew | | Stephen Williams | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Mark Durkan |
| | Bob Russell | Mr David Heath | Mr Adrian Bailey | | | Alan Simpson | Shona McIsaac | Mr Chris Mullin | | | Sandra Osborne | Paul Farrelly | Jim Sheridan | | | Jo Swinson | Lynne Featherstone | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates the League Against Cruel Sports for producing the report War on Wildlife highlighting the indiscriminate suffering caused by snares; notes a recent poll conducted by the League Against Cruel Sports in conjunction with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons which found that 90 per cent. of respondents were strongly behind a ban on snares; and therefore calls on the Government to outlaw the manufacture, sale and use of all snares. |
| 1474 | ADULT LEARNING | 12:5:09 |
| Dr Hywel Francis | | Mr Tim Boswell | | Dr Kim Howells | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Stephen Williams | | Jeff Ennis |
| That this House welcomes the 18th Adult Learners' Week; celebrates the achievements of adult learners throughout the nations and regions of the UK; acknowledges the valued contributions of partners in the voluntary, public and private sectors; and affirms the equal importance of the skills, civic participation, widening access, health and well-being agendas. |
| 1475 | HOUSE OF COMMONS CATERING STAFF | 12:5:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Bob Laxton | | Graham Stringer |
| That this House expresses concern and disappointment that the House of Commons catering grade staff are still waiting for their pay settlement from April 2008; notes the dedication and commitment of the House of Commons catering staff to delivering a first-class catering service in the House of Commons; believes it is unacceptable that these workers have not yet received the pay increases they deserve; and calls on the House authorities urgently to resolve this unacceptable situation. |
| 1476 | DETENTION OF TRADE UNIONISTS AND STUDENTS IN IRAN | 12:5:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Harry Cohen | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson |
| That this House notes with concern that during the May Day rally in Laleh Park, Tehran over 100 participants were physically attacked and arrested, including leading members of the Free Trade Union, and that at the May Day rally in Sanandaj in western Iran a further attack took place with 10 arrested; further notes that the Iranian authorities continue to detain Mr Mansour Osaloo, the President of the Tehran Bus Drivers Syndicate and students from the Freedom and Equality Seeking Activists movement; and calls on the Government to condemn these human rights abuses and to urge the Iranian government for the release of these detainees. |
| 1477 | PROSECUTION OF GENOCIDE AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY | 12:5:09 |
| John Bercow | | Dr Evan Harris | | Mr Tom Clarke | | John Battle | | Mr David Chaytor | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House is concerned that there are people in the UK who are suspected of committing crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide; notes that, because of gaps in UK law, four Rwandans who are suspected of having committed genocide in 1994 cannot be prosecuted in the UK for such crimes; further notes that the four have now been released from custody after winning their appeal in the High Court against extradition to Rwanda; further notes that suspected war criminals from other conflicts are also present in the UK; further notes that these suspects cannot be tried in UK courts because of limitations to the International Criminal Court Act 2001; further notes with concern that the 2001 Act does not apply to suspects if they committed the crime before 2001 or if they are present, but not resident in the UK; further notes that this position is in contrast to the position of the crimes of torture and hostage taking, which are fully prosecutable in UK courts; believes that these gaps in the law lack moral logic; and therefore urges the Government to bring forward proposals to amend the 2001 Act to enable suspects who are present without being resident in the UK and who are suspected of committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity before 2001 to be prosecuted in the UK courts, to ensure that the UK does not become a safe haven for war criminals. |
| 1478 | 2009 LOCAL AUTHORITY ROAD MAINTENANCE SURVEY | 13:5:09 |
| Mr Christopher Chope | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Russell | | Mr Greg Knight |
| | Mr David Heath | Mrs Janet Dean | Alan Simpson | | | Paul Rowen |
| That this House is appalled at the waste and neglect revealed in the findings of the 2009 Annual Local Authority Road Maintainance Survey; is concerned that the number of potholes on England's local roads has increased by a third in one year, that there is now a 13 year backlog of maintenance work and that the annual cost of compensating victims of pothole related incidents now exceeds £53 million; and calls on the Government to come forward urgently with an action plan to restore road and pavement surfaces to a standard that is safe for users. |
| 1479 | CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE AND DEMAND RATIONING | 13:5:09 |
| Dr Rudi Vis | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House recognises that the Government's proposal for new coal-fired power stations trialling a degree of carbon capture and storage (CCS), potentially fully retrofitted by 2025, would be a significant improvement in terms of rules, but would still involve a new wave of largely uncaptured emissions; notes that the Committee on Climate Change has recommended that no coal-fired plant should operate without full CCS by 2025; further notes Scottish Power's call for CCS to be trialled via support for retrofits to existing plant; urges the Government to consider instead addressing the energy gap and fuel poverty concerns largely via a demand rationing-type approach, for example introducing a tax-free allowance for personal electricity use, with tax take concentrated on the excess, facilitated by the rollout of smart meters; further notes that Vaclav Smil's calculation that to bury just 10 per cent. of the world's current carbon dioxide emissions via CCS would involve pumping carbon dioxide underground at a faster rate than all current world crude oil extraction; and considers that rationing-type approaches may have more far-reaching abatement potential than CCS, and so to address the energy gap largely via a rationing-type approach, whilst pioneering CCS out of a smaller network of power stations, would set a much more powerful and apposite example to the rest of the world, as well as achieve faster progress in tackling UK emissions. |
| 1480 | ARREST OF SENATOR STUART SYVRET | 13:5:09 |
| John Hemming | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Peter Bottomley | | John McDonnell | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| That this House deplores the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret by the Jersey Police Force for alleged infractions of data protection laws; notes that the Senator was in receipt of information disclosed in the public interest, with which he is attempting to hold the Jersey government to account for a variety of profoundly serious child protection and clinical governance failures; condemns the manner of the Senator's arrest and the subsequent searching of his home by the police without a search warrant; further condemns the fact that substantial quantities of his constituents' private data were taken and copied by the Jersey police; considers this an intimidatory and anti-democratic action which the Senator is virtually powerless to challenge given the politicisation of the Jersey judiciary and the propensity of the Jersey legislature to oppress minority members; and calls on the Secretary of State for Justice to fulfil his duties by exercising his constitutional powers to intervene and ensure good governance and the proper administration of justice in Jersey though requiring a separation of powers and the imposition of effective checks and balances in order that survivors of child abuse, and other victims of malfeasance gain the proper protection of justice; and considers that through such actions the UK will return to compliance with its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, obligations which are breached by tolerating the situation in Jersey. |
| 1481 | EARLY SETTLEMENT BY INSURANCE COMPANIES | 13:5:09 |
| Mrs Linda Riordan | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Dr Phyllis Starkey | Mr Brian Jenkins | Mr Jim Cunningham | | | Alan Simpson |
| That this House is concerned that people who have been injured through no fault of their own are being subjected to high pressure tactics from some insurance companies; notes that such tactics can impede proper access to justice for injured people and compound their distress; believes that all injured people should be made aware of their right to independent legal advice; and calls on the Government to work with the Financial Services Authority to introduce regulation in this area to protect injured people. |
| 1482 | NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE UPRATING | 13:5:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr David Drew | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Mr Austin Mitchell | | Lynne Jones |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House welcomes the 10th anniversary of the National Minimum Wage introduced by this Labour Government in 1999; further welcomes recent Government measures to extend the minimum wage to apprentices and to exclude tips from minimum wage calculations; notes that the Low Pay Commission states that the minimum wage has had no discernible adverse impact, in contrast to the dire warnings of the Conservative Party at the time of its introduction; is therefore disappointed that this year's uprating of the minimum wage is the lowest on record, barely over one per cent. and between 4p and 7p for different age groups; and calls on the Government to end the age discrimination in the minimum wage and to legislate so that the minimum wage should always increase above both inflation and average earnings so as to narrow the inequality gap. |
| As an Amendment to John McDonnell's proposed Motion (National Minimum Wage Uprating): |
| Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mr John Leech |
| Line 10, at end add `and to require employers to print on wage slips the rate of minimum wage in force after each uprating.'. |
| 1483 | FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT | 13:5:09 |
| Tim Loughton | | Mrs Maria Miller | | Mr Edward Timpson | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Jim Devine | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson |
| That this House welcomes Foster Care Fortnight which aims to boost the recruitment of foster carers to fill the estimated existing shortage of 10,000 carers without whom many children would have to be placed in less appropriate and more costly alternatives; recognises the importance of the professional contribution of foster carers to the care of looked-after children; is concerned that more needs to be done to attract carers on a long-term basis; and welcomes the events taking place across the UK to promote and encourage caring which changes lives, both those of children and their carers. |
| Martin Salter | | Mr Rob Wilson | | Mr Oliver Heald | | Mr Mark Field | | Stephen Pound | | Mr Richard Benyon |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson |
| That this House pays tribute to the career of former Reading Football Club manager Steve Coppell; applauds the honesty, decency, modesty, and professionalism he has displayed throughout his managerial career at all his clubs including Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Reading; notes that he has been the most successful manager in the history of Reading FC, taking the club to the Premiership for the first time in its 135 year history in a season which saw the club achieve a record 106 points when it was crowned Championship winners in April 2006; further notes his success in the Premiership in guiding Reading to 8th place, the club's highest ever position; congratulates him for his numerous awards including the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year in May 2006; regrets his decision to resign as manager of Reading FC but wishes him well in the future and considers him to be a magnificent role model of both a professional footballer and manager. |
| 1485 | CHILDREN IN CARE | 13:5:09 |
| Tim Loughton | | Mrs Maria Miller | | Mr Edward Timpson | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | John Hemming |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson |
| That this House congratulates Channel 4 on its Forgotten Children series exploring the issues facing children in care; welcomes its work in increasing public awareness of the challenges faced by professionals and children working in the care system; and wishes to encourage public discussion on the future of the care system. |
| 1486 | GATESHEAD FOOTBALL CLUB | 13:5:09 |
| Mr David Clelland | | Mr David Anderson | | Mr David Drew | | John McDonnell | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Roger Godsiff |
| That this House congratulates Gateshead Football Club, its supporters, players, management team and all associated with the club in gaining promotion to the Blue Square Premier League; and wishes the club well on its way to returning to its rightful place in the Football League. |
| 1487 | MANDATORY MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS | 14:5:09 |
| Martin Horwood | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Ann Winterton | | Martin Linton |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Sir Alan Beith | Andrew Rosindell |
| That this House is concerned that over 97,000 dogs are picked up as strays by local authorities annually; congratulates Speaking Out for Animals, the animal action club at Thorpe House School, Norwich for campaigning hard to promote the mandatory microchipping of dogs as a means of reducing the huge numbers of strays and for its work to promote responsible pet ownership; commends the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and other animal charities for microchipping all dogs at point of adoption; believes that microchipping should be compulsory for all dogs at the point of sale; and urges the Government to introduce legislation on the mandatory microchipping of dogs. |
| 1488 | ALLOWANCE FOR LOWERED STANDARD OF OCCUPATION | 14:5:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr George Galloway | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House expresses its extreme concern at the Government decision to change the qualification rules for the Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation for former armed services personnel; notes that following the entering into effect of the change on 4 April 2009, former members of the armed services whose health deteriorates due to their military service to more than 40 per cent. disability will find themselves financially discriminated against, leaving them as much as £55 per week worse off than those individuals who were suffering 40 per cent. disability before this date; believes, especially at a time when public support for armed forces veterans is high, that this unacceptable situation will cause popular resentment as well as avoidable hardship; further notes that this comes at a time when hon. Members are justifiably under public pressure for unjustifiable expenditure and expenses claims; and urges the Government to reconsider and reverse this ill-conceived decision, which will have a devastating financial impact on those individuals who are already suffering from serious ill-health arising from their brave service to the nation. |
| 1489 | GIBRALTAR AND THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS | 14:5:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Kelvin Hopkins |
| That this House notes the great enthusiasm demonstrated by Gibraltarians in exercising their right to vote in the European elections as part of South West England constituency; notes with admiration that in 2004 the turnout at 60 per cent. was nearly double the UK average; acknowledges the battle that Gibraltarians fought for their right to vote at the European Court of Human Rights; commends the level of political awareness and eagerness to express themselves democratically; and hopes the high turnout tradition will be recognised and influence the wider European electorate. |
| 1490 | AUNG SAN SUU KYI | 14:5:09 |
| Ann Clwyd | | John Bercow | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Glenda Jackson |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Richard Burden | Alan Simpson |
| That this House deplores the decision of Burma's regime to move the democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, to Insein prison to face charges relating to an incident involving a US citizen who broke into her compound last week; is dismayed by her unlawful detention under house arrest for 13 of the 19 years since the military junta refused to recognise the 1990 landslide victory of her party, the National League for Democracy; is concerned that this incident could give the military junta a convenient reason to extend her unlawful detention, which was meant to end shortly; is concerned about reports of a deterioration in Ms Suu Kyi's health; calls on the international community to do more to secure the release of political prisoners in Burma and to disregard the results of next year's elections if they are not free and fair; and applauds the European Union for extending its sanctions against the regime, including an arms embargo, a travel ban on Burma's leaders and a freezing of their assets in Europe. |
| 1491 | EQUITABLE LIFE COMPENSATION (No. 3) | 14:5:09 |
| John Barrett | | Mr Alan Reid | | Dr Evan Harris | | Richard Younger-Ross | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr George Galloway |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr Fabian Hamilton |
| That this House notes that the collapse of Equitable Life affected more than one million people; further notes that an estimated 32,000 people have died while waiting for just compensation; welcomes the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recent report Injustice Unremedied: The Government's Response to Equitable Life; accepts the report's findings that the Government's response was unsatisfactory; strongly supports the Ombudsman's previous recommendation for the establishment of a just compensation scheme; and calls for the Government to accept immediately all of the findings of the Ombudsman's original report. |
| 1492 | ABORTION ADVERTISING | 14:5:09 |
| Jim Dobbin | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Ann Winterton | | Angela Watkinson | | David Taylor | | Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas |
| That this House notes the recommendation of the Broadcasting Committee of Advertising Practice that services providing abortion should be permitted to advertise on prime time television and radio to ensure reaching children from 10 years of age, well below the age of consent; notes the original recommendation came from the Government Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV whose members are all involved in programmes promoting abortion; further notes that some of the Advisory Group's members have a vested interest in the recommendation and include paid officers of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, the Family Planning Association and Brook, which receives major grants to provide contraception and abortion to under-age children, often without parental knowledge; further notes the claim that advertising is needed to lower teenage pregnancies in the UK which they claim result through ignorance; further notes that despite the Department of Health doing more than any other government body in Europe to promote abortion and contraception, the rate of under-age conceptions in this country continues to increase and is the highest in Western Europe; and calls on the Government to encourage more normal lifestyles with deferment of sexual activity among under-age children and adolescents rather than introducing measures that will further sexualise them. |
| 1494 | GOOGLE AND TAX | 14:5:09 |
| Mr Austin Mitchell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson |
| That this House, noting that Google now has more advertising revenue in the UK than ITV, is concerned to find that in 2008 it generated £1.25 billion in revenue in the UK but paid only £600,000 in UK corporation tax because it declared a loss of £4.5 million in its UK operations even though its overall pre-tax profit is 34.2 per cent. of its turnover; furthermore notes that 92 per cent. of Google's total sales outside the US are accounted for in Ireland though they generated no profit there either, so that the company is legally avoiding £110 million of UK corporation tax in the UK and €135 million of tax in Ireland, which derives no tax benefit from Google because Google Ireland is owned by a Google subsidiary in the even more efficient tax haven of Bermuda; and suggests that, valuable and useful as Google is, it would be appropriate for Google to pay its proper social rent in this country as well as to make the same contribution to production and employment in the UK as the companies from which it is taking so much advertising revenue do. |
| 1495 | RAILWAY SAFETY | 14:5:09 |
| Mr Jim Cunningham | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson |
| That this House resolves to support Network Rail, British Transport Police and rail operators in their ongoing efforts to promote railway safety; and further resolves to back those groups in combating railway crime, which cost £264 million in 2007. |
| 1496 | HAYES AND YEADING UNITED | 14:5:09 |
| John McDonnell [R] | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Janet Anderson | | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House congratulates Hayes and Yeading United on achieving promotion to the Blue Square Conference Premiership, only two years after the formation of the club through the merger of Hayes FC and Yeading FC; and recognises the valuable role community clubs like Hayes and Yeading United play within the local community, particularly in promoting opportunities to participate in sport for young people and opening up their facilities for wider community use. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1497 | SEAT RESERVATION CHARGES AND NATIONAL EXPRESS | 14:5:09 |
| Norman Lamb | | Danny Alexander | | Bob Russell | | John Barrett | | Mr Phil Willis | | Greg Mulholland |
| That this House notes with disapproval the decision of National Express to introduce charges for seat reservations on its train services in East Anglia and on the East Coast Mainline; observes that the charge of £2.50 per single and £5 return journey is the highest seat-booking charge ever imposed by a private rail company in the UK and that it follows an increase of over 10 per cent. in its train fares over the last two years; further notes that the charge will only apply in standard class which will hit families and the elderly hardest as these groups often cannot risk being forced to stand on long train journeys; observes that the longest timetabled journey on National Express services is in excess of eight hours and that forcing people to pay extra to guarantee a seat on these services represents outrageous profiteering by National Express; further notes that National Express Group reported profits of £194 million last year; and calls on National Express to reconsider this unfair and disappointing policy as a matter of urgency. |
| 1499 | REDUNDANCIES IN UNIVERSITIES | 15:5:09 |
| Tony Lloyd | | Jon Cruddas | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Ms Katy Clark | | Chris McCafferty | | Frank Dobson |
| | Dr Doug Naysmith | Mr Brian Jenkins | Mr Dennis Skinner | | | Tom Levitt | Alan Simpson | Mrs Louise Ellman | | | Mr Mohammad Sarwar |
| That this House notes with extreme concern that up to 100 universities are currently planning redundancies, which amounts to two-thirds of higher education institutions cutting jobs; agrees that in a time of recession, higher education and higher level skills should be at the forefront of any plan for long term recovery, and that cutting jobs, course provision and student places is not in the interests of the economy or society; and calls on universities to work in partnership with the trades unions to provide a national plan to avoid cuts and defend provision, quality and access to higher education. |
| 1502 | CARE PROCEEDINGS | 15:5:09 |
| Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Mr Dai Davies | | John McDonnell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Michael Clapham |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House is gravely concerned that there is an acute shortage of experienced social workers in most inner-city local authorities and that the majority of practitioners are underpaid and overworked; notes that according to information received by the Trade Union and Professional Association for Family Court and Probation Staff 51 out of 121 social workers in Haringey were temporary agency staff; and therefore urges that in the best interest of children the Government ensures that sufficient funds are available to allow social workers and the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service to carry out their tasks efficiently and effectively. |
| 1503 | EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE JUDGEMENT ON PROPERTY RIGHTS IN CYPRUS | 18:5:09 |
| Mr Edward O'Hara [R] | | Mr Alan Meale | | Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | David Lepper [R] | | Mr Andrew Dismore [R] |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House notes the judgement of the European Court of Justice that a judgement of a District Court in the Republic of Cyprus ordering the British occupiers of a property in the occupied north area of Cyprus to vacate the property and to pay various monetary amounts in compensation to the Greek Cypriot owner of the land is enforceable in all countries of the EU; expects the judgement to be enforced in the UK; welcomes this clarification of property rights in Cyprus; and calls on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to amend its website accordingly to clarify the legal liabilities which may be incurred by British citizens who buy or build on land in the occupied north of Cyprus to which the legal title belongs to absent Greek Cypriot refugees. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 1504 | BIG LOTTERY FUND AND HEROES RETURN 2 PROGRAMME | 18:5:09 |
| Nick Harvey | | Mr Gerald Howarth | | Dr Andrew Murrison | | Mr Gordon Marsden | | Derek Twigg | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Dr Evan Harris | Mr Brian Jenkins | Mr Adrian Bailey | | | Alan Simpson | Mr Dai Havard | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Jo Swinson | Mrs Linda Riordan | Mr Ben Wallace | | | Greg Mulholland |
| That this House welcomes the announcement of further funding from the Big Lottery Fund to support Second World War veterans wishing to attend overseas anniversary events throughout 2009 and 2010 to commemorate the end of the Second World War; notes that the Heroes Return 2 programme builds on over £16 million of previous funding from the Big Lottery Fund's Heroes Return programme that helped over 39,000 veterans, spouses, widows and carers to make commemorative trips to overseas Second World War battlesites; fully acknowledges the sacrifices that British servicemen and women made during the Second World War; recognises their bravery in defending the United Kingdom; and is pleased that this is rightly recognised through funding that will enable veterans to participate in commemorative visits across the world to mark the anniversaries of events that led to the end of the Second World War. |
| 1505 | OLYMPIC VILLAGE | 18:5:09 |
| Mr George Galloway | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr John Leech | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Alan Simpson | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House notes that following the de facto nationalisation of the construction of the Olympic village, public investment in the project is now standing at £650 million; further notes the enormous levels of overcrowding and long council housing waiting lists in the host boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets; and believes that all 2,800 flats that will result from this public investment in the Olympic village, once the Olympics has finished, should be entirely reserved for letting as council housing. |
| 1506 | EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE | 18:5:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Martin Caton | | Lynne Jones | | Mark Durkan |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House notes with regret that eligibility for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is calculated using household income data from financial year 2008-09 and that the children of many thousands of households suffering the effects of the current economic crisis are excluded from receiving this vital assistance; further notes that the EMA guarantee means that people receive EMA payments at the same rate for up to three years, even if their household income increases, so that whilst thousands of children in need will be excluded this year, some will continue to receive the benefit even though their household income is above the threshold; and calls on the Government to distribute financial assistance for education more fairly in light of people's circumstances and the recession. |
| 1507 | VOLUNTEERS' WEEK 1 TO 7 JUNE 2009 | 18:5:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mark Hunter |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Alan Simpson | Shona McIsaac | | | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House welcomes Volunteers' Week, 1 to 7 June 2009; notes that this is the 25th anniversary of celebrating volunteers and volunteering across the country; further notes that more than 22 million people throughout the UK donate their time and effort every year and that Volunteers' Week recognises their immense contribution to society as well as encouraging others to consider getting involved; and calls on the Government to continue to promote and reward volunteering. |
| 1508 | LOW-SKILLED ADULTS IN OLDER INDUSTRIAL AREAS | 18:5:09 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Stephen Williams | | Mr Martin Caton | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mr Brian Jenkins | Mr Adrian Bailey | Alan Simpson | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mr David Hamilton | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House acknowledges that the current economic downturn makes the prospects even bleaker for low-skilled hard-to-reach adults who live in older industrial areas; realises that many adults in these areas find it difficult to engage with the labour market; and therefore urges the Government to ma |
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