| 1 | ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George |
| | Mrs Cheryl Gillan | Steve Webb | Mark Fisher | | | Mr Richard Shepherd | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Michael Moore | Mr Eddie McGrady | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | John Barrett | Lady Hermon | Angela Watkinson | | | Mr David Jones | Dan Rogerson | Lorely Burt | | | Chloe Smith |
| That this House recognises the vital support that attendance allowance and disability living allowance provide for people with disabilities; notes that these benefits are intended to meet the additional costs of living with an impairment or long-term health condition; further notes with concern that approximately 2.87 million people in the UK who receive disability living allowance or attendance allowance are not eligible for social care services; acknowledges that some 20,000 individuals have petitioned the Prime Minister and many more have petitioned individual hon. and right hon. Members to ensure that these benefits are secured; welcomes the Government's announcement that disability living allowance for people under 65 years will not be scrapped; and urges the Government to ensure that attendance allowance and disability living allowance for people aged 65 years and over are secured and not abolished as part of any future reform of the social care system. |
| 2 | CENTENARY OF GIRLGUIDING UK | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Natascha Engel | | Chloe Smith | | Mr David Amess | | Stephen Pound | | Jo Swinson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon | Anne Main |
| That this House congratulates Girlguiding UK on its centenary; commends the work of Girlguiding UK which, for 100 years, has enabled girls and young women to fulfil their potential; celebrates the invaluable work of the organisation's 80,000 adult volunteer leaders and 20,000 supporters, who dedicate their free time to ensuring that 80,000 Rainbows, 225,000 Brownies, 125,000 Guides and 20,000 Senior Section members have access to a vibrant girl-led programme including adventurous activities to build skills, confidence and self-esteem in a supportive all-female environment; notes the challenge the organisation faces in recruiting more volunteers to allow the 48,000 girls on the waiting lists to join, and fully supports the organisation in its efforts to ensure all girls who wish to join have the opportunity to do so; pays tribute to all who have been Guides and leaders over the past 100 years; and wishes Girlguiding UK a successful centenary year which has just commenced, and further success in the years ahead. |
| 3 | 25th ANNIVERSARY OF RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House congratulates the charity Raleigh International on its 25th anniversary; acknowledges with appreciation its exceptional work which 30,000 young people have undertaken in 45 countries since 1984; notes that the organisation, originally known as Operation Raleigh, involves teams of young people working alongside those from different backgrounds and cultures, helping participants to transform their lives, raising their aspirations and developing their leadership skills while teaching them the value and sense of achievement; further notes that the projects range from the installation of water supplies in remote villages to the construction of bridges; welcomes the Government grant to assist a number of unemployed graduates to participate this year in the Raleigh programme; and wishes Raleigh International further success in the years ahead. |
| 4 | LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Paul Keetch | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Dr Phyllis Starkey | Mark Fisher | Tom Levitt | | | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Frank Field | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Dr Richard Taylor | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) | | | Tim Farron |
| That this House notes the conclusion of an Ofsted report that learning outside the classroom contributes significantly to raising standards; recognises that learning through experience is a powerful educational tool; applauds the work put into the Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom; regrets that despite this work, its aspiration to provide all young people with a wide range of quality experiences outside the classroom, including one or more residential visits, is not yet embedded in all schools; and calls on the Government to find a way of making this a reality for all young people, including those who need financial support. |
| 5 | CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND PRESCRIPTION CHARGES | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Simon Hughes |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House believes that people with cystic fibrosis should not have to pay prescription charges. |
| 6 | FIRST AID EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Simon Hughes | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| That this House welcomes the British Red Cross report, Life. Live It, on first aid in schools and the launch of its first aid education resource for teachers; notes that every year there are three million attendances at hospitals across the United Kingdom in cases where first aid skills could help; shares the view that in many health emergencies, interventions in the first few minutes, before the emergency services arrive, can make a crucial difference to the outcome of the casualty; believes that people in the UK should have basic first aid knowledge; further notes the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority consultation on the curriculum in secondary schools; and requests the Government to consider ways of promoting first aid education in schools. |
| 7 | VALUE ADDED TAX ON REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO EXISTING BUILDINGS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| 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. |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with grave concern the increase in the number of empty shops in traditional town and neighbourhood centres; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to consider a range of options to halt further closures and assist in the restoration to retail use of closed premises; specifically urges that value added tax for refurbishment works on retail premises should be reduced from 15 per cent. to five per cent., that business rates for retail premises should be frozen and that upward rent review clauses which automatically allow rents to rise should be scrapped; and further urges that planning, financial and parking policies which discriminate in favour of out-of-town shopping centres should be reviewed so that there is a level playing field with traditional town centres and neighbourhood shopping centres. |
| 9 | AIRPORT FOR THE ISLAND OF ST HELENA | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | John Austin | | Ann Winterton | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House agrees with the people and government of the island of St Helena that the construction of an airport is crucial for the island's economic future; notes that the Government has for many years promised that an airport would be constructed; further notes that an airport is the only way in which the island can become economically self-sufficient, and that its capital cost is the equivalent of 10 years of rapidly rising revenue subsidy; and calls on the Government to proceed with the award of a contract for the construction of an airport on the island of St Helena without further delay. |
| 10 | CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE GREAT BRITISH PUB | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Mr David Hamilton | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | | Anne Main |
| That this House is alarmed that five public houses are closing down every day, with beer sales in pubs at their lowest level for nearly 40 years; is deeply concerned as to the future of 7,500 public houses and more than 40,000 jobs; supports the campaign to mobilise public and political support to save the Great British pub; believes that traditional public houses are being unfairly priced out of the market while supermarkets offer cheap deals without the level of restrictions and responsibilities required of licensees of public houses; further supports the beer industry and the Campaign for Real Ale's Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub campaign which states that tax rises will place traditional public houses at even greater risk of closing down; and calls on the Government to adopt the campaign's Last Orders, a five-point plan to save the British pub, as a way forward in safeguarding the future of Britain's traditional public houses. |
| 11 | 50th ANNIVERSARY OF END OF CYPRUS EMERGENCY | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Simon Hughes | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| That this House commemorates the ending of the four-year Cyprus Emergency, 1955 to 1959, during which 371 members of HM Armed Forces, many of them National Service conscripts, lost their lives, of whom 274 were in the Army, 28 in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 69 in the Royal Air Force; and pays tribute to those who campaigned for a permanent memorial, unveiled on 8 November 2009 in the Old British Cemetery in Kyrenia, to those who served and died in Cyprus. |
| 12 | USE OF ANIMALS TO TEST FOOD ADDITIVES | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Bob Laxton | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Colin Challen | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes that the Home Office's Statistics for Scientific Procedures on Living Animals for 2006 recorded a 368.4 per cent. rise in the number of animals used to test food additives, from 862 animals in 2005 to 4,038 animals in 2006; is concerned at the Written Answer of 11 October 2007 that states that these animals are being used to test ingredients such as stabilisers, sweeteners, colourants and flavouring agents; further notes that the 2006 statistics also recorded a 30.2 per cent. rise in the number of animals used for the purposes of other foodstuffs, from 5,742 animals in 2005 to 7,477 animals in 2006; and calls on the Government to back the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection's call to stop granting licences for experiments on animals for the purpose of testing food additives and other foodstuffs as a matter of urgency. |
| 13 | TREATMENT OF DOGS IN CHINA | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Simon Hughes |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Anne Main | Willie Rennie |
| That this House supports the joint working of Animals Asia Foundation and the Kennel Club in continuing to highlight the inhumane treatment of dogs in China; is appalled by the acts of extreme cruelty which take place in China's animal markets; notes that millions of dogs have been skinned alive and killed for fur and meat; condemns the cruel ways in which these animals are raised, transported and slaughtered; calls on the Government to do everything in its power to encourage the Chinese government to bring about an urgent end to this barbaric practice, including raising the subject with the Chinese Ambassador in the UK; and further calls directly on the Chinese government to bring its laws and practices into the 21st century in relation to animal welfare standards. |
| 14 | ANIMAL TESTING AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House supports the campaign of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection to end the suffering of animals used 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. |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Roger Williams | Anne Main |
| That this House registers its deep concern at the decline in the butterfly population, with numbers reported by the charity Butterfly Conservation to be at their lowest for 25 years, with the small tortoiseshell showing the biggest decline of 81 per cent.; congratulates the thousands of volunteers who each year provide information for the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme operated by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; welcomes the comments of Sir David Attenborough, President of Butterfly Conservation, who is promoting an appeal to raise funds for the charity's Stop Extinction Appeal; and calls on the Government to promote cross-departmental policies to assist in safeguarding Britain's butterflies. |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Roger Williams | Anne Main |
| That this House registers its deep concern at the serious threat to dragonflies as a result of changes in farming techniques and climate change, with some species facing extinction; notes that a third of Great Britain's 39 species of dragonfly and the closely related damselfly are declining; welcomes the launch by the British Dragonfly Society of a five-year campaign to protect the creatures and track their movements, including the establishment of a dragonfly atlas; and calls on the Government to promote cross-departmental policies to assist the British Dragonfly Society in its objectives of safeguarding the nation's dragonflies. |
| 17 | ENDANGERED BRITISH MAMMALS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Roger Williams | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| That this House is dismayed that 18 species of Britain's mammals, almost a third of the total, are now listed as endangered; congratulates the People's Trust for Endangered Species for its report the State of Britain's Mammals; and urges the Government to take heed of the warnings contained in the report by promoting policies which protect the nation's indigenous mammals. |
| 18 | GENERAL ELECTION COUNT TIMING | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Dr Richard Taylor | Anne Main |
| That this House believes the counting of votes cast for the General Election should be carried out without delay and constituency results announced as early as possible; further believes that public interest and engagement are better served by the immediate counting of ballot papers and enabling as many voters as possible to watch the results being announced; and calls on local authorities throughout the United Kingdom to ensure that all ballot papers are counted immediately after the close of polls on General Election night. |
| 19 | EQUITABLE LIFE PENSIONERS AND POLICY HOLDERS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley [R] | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Alistair Carmichael | Dr Richard Taylor | Anne Main |
| That this House congratulates the Parliamentary Ombudsman on her report on Equitable Life and on her decision that Equitable Life policyholders should be compensated; notes that the Public Administration Select Committee's second report on Equitable Life, Justice denied? concluded that the Government's response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report was inadequate as a remedy for injustice; further notes with regret that many pensioners are passing away without seeing justice done; recognises the vital role the Ombudsman plays in public life, reaffirms the duty of Parliment to support the office of the Ombudsman; and calls on all hon. Members to honour the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations without further loss of time. |
| As an Amendment to Bob Spink's proposed Motion (Equitable Life Pensioners and Policy Holders): |
| Simon Hughes | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Mark Durkan | | Dr William McCrea | | Mr Nigel Dodds | | Mr John Leech |
| Mr Paul Truswell | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Lady Hermon | | Lorely Burt | | Willie Rennie |
| Line 8, leave out `all hon. Members' and insert `the Government'. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 20 | REFERENDUM ON THE EU | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Paul Holmes | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House notes that all three main political parties promised a referendum on the EU; and calls on whoever forms the next Government to honour that promise. |
| 21 | GURKHA PENSIONS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Alan Simpson | | Bob Russell | | John Austin | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Lady Hermon | Dr Richard Taylor | Willie Rennie |
| That this House welcomes the residency rights given to former Gurkha soldiers; notes with concern that all Gurkha veterans do not receive the same monthly payment as their UK counterparts; further notes that over 12,000 Gurkha veterans who retired prior to 1997 and would qualify for a pension if they had been UK soldiers presently receive between as little as one sixth or one eighth of that of the UK soldiers they served alongside and are thus discriminated against; acknowledges that the British Gurkha Welfare Society is asking for Gurkhas to be treated as equals by the Government by ensuring that all Gurkhas, regardless of when they served, receive from this point onwards a fair pension, equal to fellow British Army soldiers with the same service; recognises that the inferior Gurkha pension is leading many elderly, infirm and increasingly vulnerable Gurkha veterans to believe that UK residency is the only option to receive fair treatment by the UK and that if the pressure to settle in the UK were reduced, considerable savings would be made and less pressure would be placed on the UK welfare system; and therefore calls on the Government to consider giving all Gurkhas an equal and fair pension in the future. |
| 22 | EX-SERVICE PENSIONS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Lady Hermon | Dr Richard Taylor |
| That this House calls on the Government to ensure that all ex-servicemen and women of all ethnic backgrounds get equal pension rights, regardless of when or where they served in Her Majesty's armed forces. |
| 23 | ROYAL BRITISH LEGION | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Sandra Gidley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | John Barrett | Lady Hermon | Lorely Burt | | | Mr Robert Flello |
| That this House recognises the important role that the Royal British Legion plays in the provision of financial, social and emotional support to veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces, and their dependants; congratulates the Legion for safeguarding the Military Covenant and encouraging the nation's moral commitment to its armed forces; and calls on the Government to honour its life-long duty of care to those making a unique commitment to their country. |
| 24 | HOUSING NEEDS FOR PERSONS LEAVING THE ARMED FORCES | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Sandra Gidley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Mr David Hamilton | Lorely Burt |
| That this House notes with concern that those leaving the armed forces are not given housing priority by local authorities and must register as homeless if they require social housing; further notes the difficulties involved with entering civilian life; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that those returning from active service are given housing priority by local authorities. |
| 25 | CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Colin Breed | | Alan Simpson | | John Austin |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Mr Parmjit Dhanda | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House recognises that the UK should reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 80 per cent. in 2050 to reduce the devastating effect of climate change on weather conditions, natural habitats, wildlife, economic resources and human life; notes the estimated cost of meeting carbon budgets in 2020 will be less than one per cent. of gross domestic product; further notes that meeting carbon budgets and building a low-carbon economy also presents the UK with significant economic opportunities; further recognises the Government's commitment to tackling climate change; but urges all political parties to develop the much-needed greener policies to deal with the challenge of climate change. |
| 26 | ENVIRONMENT AGENCY FLOOD RISK OBJECTIONS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Anne Main |
| That this House notes with concern that 27.3 per cent. of local planning authorities have, in the last four years, approved planning permission for development in spite of an Environment Agency flood risk objection; and calls on the Government to impose tighter controls on development in flood risk areas to defend against the predicted increasing risks and costs of flooding. |
| 28 | TACKLING MALARIA | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Malcolm Bruce | Mr Michael Moore | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Lady Hermon | Lorely Burt |
| That this House notes that malaria still afflicts 40 per cent. of the world's population; calls on governments of malaria-endemic countries and international public and private organisations to work together to fight malaria worldwide and to raise awareness of malaria; further notes that, although preventable and curable, malaria continues to infect more than 500 million people each year in more than 90 countries of the world, killing between one and three million people, including a child every 30 seconds, and that it is especially lethal to children under five and pregnant mothers; further notes that although the burden of malaria is heaviest in sub-Saharan Africa, it also afflicts Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Europe, and is spreading with climate change; congratulates all those engaged in the global campaign against malaria; 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; further notes that malaria will only be defeated through collaboration and co-ordinated action of all relevant actors on local, national, regional and international levels; and therefore 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. |
| 29 | SAFETY OF MEDICINES | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Alan Simpson | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | David Taylor |
| | Roger Berry | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Tom Harris |
| 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, to see which is the most effective means to predict the safety of medicines for patients. |
| 30 | ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF READ MY LIPS! CAMPAIGN | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Lorely Burt | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates the Royal National Institute for the Deaf on its Read my lips! campaign to improve access to lip-reading; notes that there are nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK and understands the critical importance of lip-reading classes so these people can retain their dignity and independence in work and socially; further notes with concern that a number of counties have introduced fees for these classes and that this is causing hardship, and sometimes preventing vulnerable people benefiting from lip-reading classes; and therefore asks the Government to kindly follow-up previous calls for this matter to be investigated and to seek to persuade county councils, such as Essex which is one of the worst offenders, to take a more caring attitude to lip-reading class charges. |
| 31 | VANISHING OF THE BEES FILM | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Roger Williams | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon | | | Danny Alexander | Willie Rennie |
| That this House supports the film Vanishing of the Bees distributed by the Co-operative and publicising the dangers facing a £10 billion industry and a key species; further supports the Co-operative's Plan Bee campaign to raise awareness of the dramatic demise of bees and the various disorders and diseases threatening honeybee hives; notes that although in the UK bees contribute £165 million a year to the economy, this is only a small part of their contribution to sustaining the country's way of life and the way the planet functions, including their crucial role in pollinating some 90 commercial crops worldwide; further notes that the British Beekeepers' Association survey revealed that 30 per cent. of the UK's 240,000 honeybee hives were lost in the winter and spring of 2008 compared to normal yearly losses of around five to 10 per cent.; welcomes the Co-operative's pledge of £150,000 for research into the causes behind the decline of the honeybee and its 10-point plan on prohibiting the use of a group of eight pesticides on own-brand fresh produce, trialling a wildflower seed mix to attract honeybees and raising awareness of the plight of the UK honeybee; welcomes the Government's efforts to tackle the problems; and calls on the Government to redouble those efforts. |
| 32 | HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Alan Simpson | | John Austin | | David Heyes | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House recognises increasing concern about the effects tuition fees and the impact that the perception of debt have on access to universities among students from poorer families; notes the request by the National Union of Students for greater student representation on the recently-announced fees review panel; further notes that there are alternative models of funding higher education, which do not involve top-up fees; and therefore calls on the Government to publish full details of these alternatives to facilitate proper, informed debate and understanding before proceeding with legislation to increase tuition fees. |
| 33 | EXPERIMENTS ON PRIMATES | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Dan Rogerson |
| That this House is concerned to note that thousands of primates are used in experiments across Europe each year with almost a third of them undergoing procedures in British laboratories; 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. |
| 34 | INDEPENDENT NEWSAGENTS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Colin Breed | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House supports the thousands of independent newsagents providing valuable services to local communities; is concerned that the future of independent newsagents is now at risk following the abolition of the National Newspapers Code of Practice on 20 October 2009; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to make an urgent referral of the news industry to the Competition Commission for a full market investigation. |
| 35 | LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALISM | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Lorely Burt | Anne Main |
| That this House congratulates local, paid-for daily and free weekly papers on the service they provide for communities, particularly in keeping people informed about news, services and events in their area, campaigning on important local issues, helping to maintain a vibrant local economy, holding elected representatives to account, strengthening democracy and thereby helping to deliver social and economic cohesion for communities; regretfully 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 businesses; further notes that coverage of court trials, council meetings and local elections is in massive decline; and calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to meet representatives of the industry to discuss how local papers can continue to deliver a much cherished and needed service and explore innovative solutions to preserve local journalism for the future. |
| 36 | URBAN FOX HUNTING | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Simon Hughes | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House expresses deep concern at the growing number of incidents related to urban fox hunting; notes with shock the cruel manner in which these foxes are tortured and killed, often by dogs used in illegal fights; and congratulates those charities and organisations involved in rescuing and caring for abused and abandoned animals. |
| 37 | NUCLEAR ARMS REDUCTION AND TRIDENT REPLACEMENT | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | John Austin | | David Heyes | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr David Chaytor | | | Bill Etherington | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on their agreement to conclude a treaty on the reduction of deployed nuclear warheads within seven years; welcomes the commitment made by their two nations to lead the global effort for nuclear arms reduction and commitment to nuclear obligations; and calls on the Government to reduce the number of UK nuclear weapons and in particular to allow its policy on Trident replacement the full scrutiny of the democratic process in Parliament. |
| 38 | ACCESS TO HIV TREATMENT | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Malcolm Bruce | Mr Michael Moore | John Barrett | | | Lady Hermon | Lorely Burt |
| That this House notes with grave concern that almost 6,000 people die every day from AIDS-related illnesses; congratulates the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development on its work to understand and develop effective approaches to the problems created by the HIV epidemic in developing countries; further congratulates the Government on making progress on its promise of universal access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support by 2010 and its increased commitment to the Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria; and urges the Government to promote generic medicines by tackling trade barriers and by developing a patent pool for essential medicines, as promoted by the Stop AIDS campaign, and to address the health worker shortage and provide long-term financing to continue to strengthen services and infrastructure in developing nations. |
| 39 | LIVING WITH AUTISM | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Sandra Gidley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | John Barrett | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon | | | Mr Andy Slaughter | Anne Main |
| That this House notes that there are over half a million people in the United Kingdom with autism who, to varying degrees, struggle to make sense of the world; further notes that this can cause them considerable anxiety, particularly in understanding and relating to other people and taking part in family, work and social life; further notes with concern that autism is still relatively unknown and misunderstood which means that many of those affected get nothing like the level of help, support and understanding they need; and congratulates the National Autistic Society for working with people living with autism to overcome social isolation, encourage independence and live life with confidence so they can enjoy the same opportunities that the rest of us take for granted. |
| 40 | KEEP BRITAIN TIDY CHARITY | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Willie Rennie |
| That this House warmly congratulates Keep Britain Tidy, the environmental charity and anti-litter campaign for England, on its campaign against litter and neglect and for better cared-for and more attractive places; notes that Keep Britain Tidy is passionate about cleaner, greener places and also runs programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches, and the Green Flag for parks to demonstrate practical action; recognises the Government's support of such charities to enable their work; and congratulates all those who are involved. |
| 41 | ANIMAL WELFARE AND THE PRODUCTION OF FOIE GRAS | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Anne Main |
| That this House notes that foie gras is traditionally produced by forcing metal pipes down the throats of ducks and geese and over-feeding them, causing their livers to swell to 10 times the normal size; further notes that the production, but not the sale, of foie gras is banned in the UK; calls on restaurants to use brands of faux gras which are supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Compassion in World Farming and are produced from free-range ducks and geese without force-feeding; and further calls on the Government to prohibit the sale of traditionally-produced foie gras in the UK. |
| 42 | CARERS' POVERTY CHARTER | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon | Lorely Burt | Anne Main |
| That this House notes that in the National Strategy for Carers the Government pledged that by 2018 carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role; believes that carers cannot wait because too many are living in poverty and financial hardship now, struggling to afford the basic costs of living, unable to study or work without their benefits being cut off, or facing the removal of their allowance when they start to claim their pension; further notes that the UK's six million carers save the country an estimated £87 billion per year, and that in return, the main carer's benefit is the lowest of its kind, paid at only £53.10 a week for a minimum of 35 hours caring, equivalent to £1.52 per hour, far short of the national minimum wage of £5.73 per hour; supports the Carer's Poverty Charter signed by the Alzheimer's Society, Carers UK, Citizens Advice, Contact a Family, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Every Disabled Child Matters, for dementia, Mencap, Macmillan Cancer, Motor Neurone Disease Society, National Autistic Society, Oxfam, Parkinson's Disease Society, Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Rethink, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and Vitalise; and calls on the Government to set out an urgent timetable of action to improve carers' benefits and income that protects carers from falling into poverty or financial hardship, reflects carers' different circumstances, helps carers to combine caring with paid work and study and is easy to understand and straightforward to claim. |
| 43 | PROTECTION OF BACK GARDEN LAND | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | Lady Hermon |
| That this House welcomes the Government's review of the adverse impact of garden grabbing on local communities, through increased pollution, loss of biodiversity and the harm to the character of towns and villages; regrets that Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (PPG3) currently requires local authorities to consider gardens as brownfield sites; further notes that this means a gradual and uncontrollable loss of green space within urban areas; and calls for the Government to complete its review quickly and amend PPG3 to give local councils the right to exercise discretion as to whether to consider gardens to be brownfield sites. |
| 44 | STATUTORY BASIS FOR ADULT PROTECTION | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with concern the findings of a University College London study into the prevalence of abuse by family carers of people with dementia that as many as half of carers reported some abusive behaviour; further notes the finding of the UK Study of Abuse and Neglect of Older People 2007 that as many as 342,000 people aged over 66 years are victims of abuse in the community, often committed by family members; welcomes the Government's review of its current safeguarding vulnerable people guidance, No Secrets; is concerned that the review concentrates on abuse by paid carers; believes that guidance issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 does not carry the same status as legislation; calls on the Government to introduce legislation that provides a statutory basis for the construction and work of adult protection committees (APCs); and imposes a duty on agencies to collaborate, share information, actively participate at a senior level in APCs and work together to establish a right to access the adult at risk without hindrance or coercion and provide powers to protect the welfare of a person found to be the victim of abuse. |
| 45 | COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Paul Burstow | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes that 117,400 people in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance have dementia; further notes that this condition and these benefits qualify the recipient for a 25 to 100 per cent. discount on their council tax in a two person household and a 100 per cent. discount in a single person household; regrets that the Department for Work and Pensions has made no estimate of the number of households in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance that take up their entitlement to council tax discount; and calls on the Department for Work and Pensions to examine the introduction of an automatic council tax discount enrolment scheme for those in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance. |
| 46 | TAXATION OF THE BINGO INDUSTRY | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Russell | | Mr Frank Field | | David Heyes |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Murphy |
| That this House notes the report by Ernst and Young which states that Treasury calculations for gross profit tax rates for bingo earlier this year were inaccurate and will not be of benefit to the industry; further notes the tax increase threatens smaller, independent clubs; congratulates the bingo industry on the contribution it makes to social welfare, leisure and the economy; is concerned about the loss of 4,000 jobs in the bingo industry since 2003; and therefore urges the Government to work closely with the industry to consider the future impact of the increase in bingo duty from 15 per cent. to 22 per cent., whilst the duty has remained at 15 per cent. for online versions of the game and for football pools. |
| 47 | WORLD AIDS DAY 2009 | 18:11:09 |
| Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Alan Keen | Mike Gapes | Harry Cohen | | | Kate Hoey | Roger Berry | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mr Richard Caborn | Colin Burgon | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Geraldine Smith | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | | | Miss Anne Begg | John Barrett | Mr Tom Harris | | | Lady Hermon | Mr Alistair Carmichael |
| That this House notes the importance of World AIDS Day; recognises that the number of people living with HIV in the UK continues to increase, with over 80,000 people now living with HIV, and that young gay men remain the group of young people most at risk of acquiring HIV, with new diagnoses amongst this group doubling in the last 10 years; acknowledges the need for sensitive and sensible messages on sexual health to young people in schools; calls on the Government to ensure teachers have support and information to be able to talk confidently and sensitively about sexual health in order to meet the needs of all including young gay men; and further calls on the Government to ensure that a new national strategy for HIV beyond 2011 includes specific actions to address the needs of young gay men. |
| 48 | TELEVISING OF RUGBY LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Neil Turner | | Greg Mulholland | | Mr James Clappison | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Mark Hunter | | Mr Ken Purchase |
| | Mr David Amess | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell |
| That this House notes that Rugby League is played in every nation in the United Kingdom, and in every county in England; and believes the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final is a sporting event of national importance that should be available to all fans on free to view terrestrial television, and that the Davies Committee recommendations should be rejected. |
| 49 | PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA | 18:11:09 |
| Dr Doug Naysmith | | Sandra Gidley | | David Taylor | | Peter Bottomley | | Roger Berry | | Mrs Janet Dean |
| | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Mr Greg Pope | Bill Etherington | Lady Hermon | | | Mr David Anderson |
| That this House recognises that the Pernicious Anaemia Society has identified fundamental problems associated with the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in general, and with pernicious anaemia in particular, causing unnecessary suffering among patients; believes that the current treatment regime used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anaemia would benefit from a review relating to its efficacy and cost-effectiveness and that alternative, modern, self-administered treatment regimes that are available should be evaluated in order to save medical staff time and provide a more efficient treatment regime based on the needs of the patient; further believes that pernicious anaemia is a long-term condition and that patients suffering from the disease should have access to comprehensive assessment and regular review of patients' problems as set out in the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions; further believes that patients with pernicious anaemia are made to fit themselves into the way care is provided locally and that this often does not meet the needs of the individual; and calls on the Government to order a review of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pernicious anaemia. |
| 50 | VERTICAL CROP GROWING SYSTEM | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates Cornish company Valcent for developing the Verticrop innovative hydroponic plant-growing system; welcomes the installation of the first project at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon; recognises the considerable potential offered by the 20 fold increase in crop yield which could reduce demand for agricultural land, allow diverse environments such as cities and deserts to produce food and protect endangered flora and fauna; notes that the system requires five per cent. of the water usually required for agriculture; and calls on the Government to support the system wherever possible, including recognition that produce from the system is organic and should not be prevented from being described as such. |
| 51 | COSTS OF COUNCIL TAX COLLECTION | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Bob Russell | | Stephen Williams |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Lorely Burt |
| That this House notes the public dissatisfaction at the current council tax system; further notes that council tax costs 74 per cent. more than income tax to collect and administer; and calls on the Government to assess a range of potential alternative local taxation systems that include a greater element of the ability to pay. |
| 52 | PAYING FOR BROADBAND | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Stephen Williams | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Paul Keetch |
| That this House notes with concern the Government's plans to place a levy on fixed telephone lines of 50 pence per month to fund the expansion of the UK's broadband infrastructure; believes that this tax will target many who do not wish to have high speed internet and will not target many who do; and calls on the Government to remove its proposals for this poll tax and to assess other potential funding sources. |
| 53 | TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR TOURISM | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Albert Owen | | Mr Paul Keetch |
| That this House congratulates all those engaged in the British tourist industry for their hard work; notes the potential for the industry to contribute significantly to the recovery of the British economy; further notes with concern recent cuts in the Visit Britain budget; further notes the low priority the Government currently places on the tourist industry; and calls on the Government to increase the Visit Britain budget and either encourage the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to dedicate greater resources to tourism or to transfer responsibility for the sector to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. |
| 54 | PERSONALISED LEARNING AND CLASS SIZES | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Alan Simpson | | Paul Holmes | | Mr David Drew | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to personalised learning for primary school children; notes with concern that many Key Stage 1 pupils are still taught in classes with 25 to 30 pupils; recognises the benefits of being in classes under 20 in size; and calls on the Government to change its spending priorities to reduce Key Stage 1 classes to under 20. |
| 56 | WORK AND BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Malcolm Bruce | John Barrett | Lady Hermon | | | Anne Main | Mr Robert Flello |
| That this House recognises that over half of people with autism have spent time with neither jobs nor benefits; further recognises that only 15 per cent. are currently in full-time work; acknowledges that the system is failing people with autism, as over 80 per cent. of people with autism who applied for benefits needed support to do so; agrees that no one should be written off; congratulates the National Autistic Society for highlighting these issues in its campaign Don't Write Me Off; and calls on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to make the system fair for people with autism. |
| 57 | CHICKEN FARMING AND MAXIMUM PERMITTED STOCKING DENSITY | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Mr David Hamilton | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with concern the proposed regulation to increase the maximum permitted stocking density for chickens from the recommended 15 to 17 to 17 to 19 chickens per square metre, with a further extension to 19 to 21 chickens if certain criteria are met; further notes that the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare records that when stocking rates exceed 30 kg per square metre welfare problems are likely to occur regardless of indoor climate control capacity; believes that higher stocking densities result in an increase in pathologies, reduce behavioural activities and severely affect walking ability; and calls on the Government to exclude the derogation in the EU Directive that allows member states to permit extreme stocking densities above 17 to 19 chickens per square metre from UK legislation and not to abandon its previous recommended stocking density of 15 to 17 chickens per square metre, thereby permitting chicken welfare standards to be reduced. |
| 58 | WELFARE OF FARMED RABBITS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with concern the lack of detailed regulations concerning the welfare of domestic rabbits farmed in the UK; believes that farmed rabbits should not be kept in cages as this practice is not consistent with good welfare; notes that the welfare of farmed rabbits, including breeding does, is improved by housing in enriched group pens that provide greater environmental complexity, freedom of movement and opportunities for social interaction; further believes that rabbits should be provided with sufficient height and floor space to allow them to adopt normal postures such as rearing up on their hind legs and to carry out meaningful exercise such as hopping; supports a provision for solid flooring to reduce foot injuries in rabbits; further believes that all farmed rabbits should have access to environmental enrichment, including hay or straw and wooden sticks or blocks for gnawing, and improved housing design that allows for hiding and retreat; supports the work of the Four Paws organisation in this area; and calls on the Government to introduce regulations to phase out the keeping of farmed rabbits in cages and to make detailed provisions for their welfare. |
| 59 | CONVICTION OF GEORGE KELLY | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Alan Simpson | | John Austin |
| That this House notes the quashing after the longest campaign in English legal history lasting 53 years of the conviction of George Kelly who was wrongly convicted of murder in the Cameo Cinema murder case and who was executed in 1950; recognises the efforts of those, including relatives who have died, who sought to overturn the conviction; and calls for a public inquiry into the gross miscarriage of justice. |
| 60 | SHELTERED HOUSING WARDENS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with concern reductions in funding for Supporting People services; 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. |
| 61 | BENEFITS SYSTEM AND SHARED PARENTING | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Alan Simpson |
| | Bill Etherington | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes that child benefit can only be paid to one parent; further notes that this unnecessarily discriminates against the other parent where parents are separated and maintain shared custody of children; further notes that this can further discriminate against one parent by preventing access to suitable housing and additional income to allow them to provide for children; further notes that this can lead to restricted access for one parent to see their children; and calls on the Government to take action to address these problems. |
| 62 | DISABLED FACILITY GRANTS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| That this House notes with concern that demand for adaptations to homes covered by the disabled facilities grant scheme far outweighs the funding available for the scheme; further notes that this results in delay completing vital adaptations to the homes of the elderly and infirm to allow them comfortably to live in their homes; and calls on the Government to either increase the direct disabled facilities grant in correlation with demand or increase the general funding grant made available to local authorities to allow them to adequately process and implement applications. |
| 63 | ACCESS TO INSULIN PUMP THERAPY FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock [R] | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch [R] | Mr Fabian Hamilton | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House welcomes Diabetes UK's campaign to end the postcode lottery for insulin pump therapy; believes that making a small change through providing the technology can make a big difference to the lives of people with diabetes; notes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendation that insulin pump therapy should be available as a treatment option for people with Type 1 diabetes in cases where multiple dose insulin therapy has failed, and the person is willing and able to use insulin pump therapy effectively; further notes with concern that this guidance is not being adhered to locally in a uniform manner; is aware that currently only two per cent. of people with Type 1 diabetes use pumps in the UK, compared to 10 to 20 per cent. in other European member states and around 15 to 20 per cent. in the United States; further believes that the use of pumps can have cost benefits to the local NHS through a reduction in primary care contracts and a reduction in hospital admissions and hospital outpatient contracts; and calls on the Government to oversee the implementation of NICE guidance by primary care organisations to end the postcode lottery. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 64 | ACCESS TO INHALED INSULIN PRODUCTS FOR DIABETICS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock [R] | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch [R] | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House disagrees with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's technology appraisal document which proposes the restriction of access to inhaled insulin products on the NHS to patients with a proven injection phobia diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist; is concerned that diabetes sufferers often delay treatment for as long as four years due to a fear of injections, risking the complications of heart disease, blindness and kidney failure, a situation that will only be compounded by attaching the unfortunate stigma of mental illness to those with a phobia of needles; expresses concern at the additional workload that will be placed on already overstretched NHS psychiatric services; and believes that the judgement of expert clinicians should be trusted in managing each individual patient's condition. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 65 | INFORMATION PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock [R] | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch [R] | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with concern that 65 per cent. of the two million people in the UK with diabetes are not taking their medications as prescribed because one in three do not understand what those medications are for, or how to take them; welcomes the work of a coalition of Diabetes UK, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Society and Ask About Medicines to facilitate understanding of medicines used to treat diabetes; believes that everyone with the condition has a right to expect a personalised information prescription expressed in an appropriate format as part of their care planning process; further believes that such a personalised prescription should help to ensure that access to clear and consistent information that is accurate, up-to-date and trustworthy will enable people with diabetes to understand their condition and treatment options regardless of their age, ethnicity, disability or postcode; further believes that people should be encouraged to seek information on medicines and other treatments by discussing their condition with and asking questions of a range of healthcare professionals and by accessing other forms of support and information tailored for each person in their particular situation; and calls on the Government to ensure that the NHS at a local level provides diabetes care and support in line with these standards. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 66 | SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Alan Simpson | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House notes with concern that many coastal resorts in the UK experience seasonal employment fluctuations; is concerned that many workers in resorts experience low wages and employment uncertainty; notes that the Government has no specific strategy to ensure year-round sustainable, fairly-paid employment; and calls on the Government to consider policies to address the difficulties coastal resort economies face out of the summer season. |
| 67 | CHRISTIAN HOLY DAYS AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Colin Breed | | Bob Russell | | Stephen Williams |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes that neither Good Friday nor Christmas Day are included in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 on the grounds that they are traditional days of rest and worship; further notes that the restrictions under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 do not apply to either of these important days in the Christian calendar; recognises that competitive pressures find many Christians in a position where they feel compelled to work on these days, and that many Christians view commercial activities on these days as showing a disregard and disrespect for their religion; and calls on the Government to review existing legislation relating to the holiest days in the Christian calendar and bring forward change that will protect Christians from being compelled to engage in commercial activities on Good Friday and Christmas Day. |
| 68 | TEXT MESSAGE 999 SERVICE | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell |
| That this House notes that there is no facility to allow people to use text messages to contact blue light emergency services and believes that such a service could assist people needing to contact the emergency services while unable to speak; and calls on the Government to encourage the mobile telephone industry to come up with a text message 999 number through which blue light emergency services can be contacted. |
| Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington |
| That this House notes that the Government prohibited the use of animals to test cosmetic products and their ingredients, because it caused unjustified suffering given the nature of the products; is concerned 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 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; and calls on the Government to implement a policy of prohibition on issuing licences to conduct scientific research and test household products and their ingredients on animals without delay. |
| 70 | LIVESTOCK SECTOR AND SUSTAINABILITY | 18:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | David Heyes |
| | Ms Diane Abbott | Mr Paul Truswell |
| That this House notes that livestock grazing occupies over a quarter of the Earth's terrestrial surface and that expansion of grazing land for livestock is a key factor in deforestation; recognises that livestock are responsible for almost a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, a bigger share than that of transport; expresses concern that livestock production impacts heavily on the world's water supply, accounting for more than eight per cent. of global human water use, mainly for the irrigation of feed crops, and is the largest sectoral source of water pollutants; expresses further concern that the sheer quantity of animals being raised for human consumption also poses a threat to the Earth's biodiversity; 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 whilst supporting a viable, sustainable and thriving UK farming industry. |
| 71 | INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY RECOGNITION OF UNITE PARLIAMENTARY STAFF BRANCH | 18:11:09 |
| Jim Sheridan | | Paul Flynn | | Mr Bill Olner | | Mr Clive Betts | | Dr Phyllis Starkey | | Mike Gapes |
| | Roger Berry | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Julie Morgan | Michael Connarty | Mr Robert Flello |
| That this House calls on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to recognise the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch for all consultation it conducts with regard to the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on parliamentary allowances and expenses that relate to the staff of hon. Members. |
| 72 | A1 TECHSOL LTD, STOCKPORT ROAD, MANCHESTER | 18:11:09 |
| Sir Gerald Kaufman | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | John McDonnell | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Ian McCartney |
| That this House condemns A1 Techsol Ltd, Stockport Road, Manchester, for having failed to return to a constituent of the right hon. Member for Gorton his UK passport, driving licence, bank statements, security officer's badge and photographs, which they required from him on taking up employment with them, and for ignoring repeated requests from the right hon. Member to return this material to his constituent; regards A1 Techsol's retention of this material as both theft and a breach of employment legislation; calls on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the police to investigate; and meanwhile calls on the public to have nothing whatever to do with A1 Techsol, either as employees or in any other way. |
| 73 | CODE OF PRACTICE ON THE WELFARE OF PRIVATELY KEPT NON-HUMAN PRIMATES | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Colin Breed | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House supports the Code of Practice on the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-Human Primates which sets the standards required for keepers of the estimated 5,000 privately kept primates in the United Kingdom; calls for the Code's adoption under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which would be a step towards the improved welfare of privately owned primates; notes the trade of primates as pets is largely unregulated; and calls for the United Kingdom to set an example to Europe, where the primate pet trade poses a serious threat to the conservation and survival of primates. |
| 74 | FAIR PRICING FOR PRE-PAYMENT ENERGY METERS | 18:11:09 |
| John Austin | | Dr Alan Whitehead | | Peter Bottomley | | Simon Hughes | | Miss Anne Begg | | Dr Brian Iddon |
| | Norman Baker | Nick Harvey | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mark Fisher | Mr David Chaytor | Mr Greg Pope | | | Bill Etherington | Michael Connarty | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Patrick Mercer | Mr Alistair Carmichael | Mr Robert Flello |
| That this House welcomes Government assurances that, if necessary, legislation would be introduced to outlaw the overcharging of pre-payment meter customers; notes that some energy companies have voluntarily and for the time being equalised pre-payment charges with quarterly billed customers but that over a million households are still paying more for their energy; refutes the claim by Ofgem that it has been successful in its campaign to stop this overcharging; calls on the Government to step in as champion for some of the most vulnerable people on low incomes and introduce legislation to equalise pre-pay charges with those of quarterly billed customers; and supports the proposals in the Equalisation of Tariffs for Gas and Electricity Bill introduced in the last Parliamentary Session. |
| 75 | WASTE RECYCLING (END USE REGISTER) BILL | 18:11:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington |
| That this House is concerned at what happens to some materials that are recycled by local authorities; welcomes the initiative of Somerset Waste Partnership in publishing a register of the end use of all recycled materials; believes that such a move will increase public confidence in recycling and therefore help to increase the amount of materials recycled and so supports the provisions of the Waste Recycling (End Use Register) Bill, introduced in the 2008-09 Session by the hon. Member for Stroud; and hopes the measures contained in that Bill will become law in the 2009-10 Session. |
| 76 | BANKING PAYMENTS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Gregory Campbell | | Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson | | David Simpson | | Dr William McCrea | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope |
| That this House notes the problems associated with terminating regular payments to private sector companies such as to the Setanta sports broadcaster; and calls on financial institutions to examine ways of ensuring that their systems give primacy to the individual so that when specific written instructions are given to cease payments these instructions are carried out. |
| 77 | UK SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN | 18:11:09 |
| Andrew Gwynne | | Mrs Louise Ellman | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | David Cairns | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Greg Pope | Bill Etherington | Mr Tom Harris |
| That this House welcomes the British Government's Financial Restrictions Order of 12 October 2009 in relation to business relationships with the Iranian Bank Mellat and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) owing to their involvement in financial transactions and transportation of goods related to Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programmes; calls on other nations to introduce similar measures; notes with alarm the discovery by the Israeli navy on 4 November 2009 of roughly 500 tons of Iranian weapons in IRISL shipping containers on board the vessel Francop en route to Syria and Lebanon; deplores this find as a breach of UN Resolutions 1701 and 1747 and incontrovertible evidence of Iranian interference in the Middle East; and asks the Government to continue pressing for Iran's co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in partnership with the international community and to prepare for further sanctions to prevent Iran from disrupting Middle East peace negotiations and fuelling conflict in the region. |
| 78 | LOCAL SPENDING REPORTS AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 2007 | 18:11:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Nick Hurd | | Julia Goldsworthy | | Roger Berry | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Oliver Letwin |
| | Mr Andrew Mackay | Mr Bernard Jenkin | Mr Michael Mates | | | Mr James Arbuthnot | Gwyn Prosser | Mr Crispin Blunt | | | Matthew Taylor | Robert Key | Michael Fabricant | | | Mark Fisher | Mr Jim Cunningham | Mr Marsha Singh | | | Mr George Howarth | Bill Etherington | Mr Don Touhig | | | Michael Connarty | Mr Mark Prisk | Patrick Mercer | | | Angela Watkinson | Mr David Laws | Mr Graham Stuart | | | Mr David Jones | Paul Rowen | Lorely Burt |
| 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 former 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 former 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 disappointed that the local spending reports published so far do not adhere to the assurances given by the former Minister and so calls for proper local spending reports to be published, which give effect to those assurances; welcomes the commitment by the Secretary of State to report to Parliament by the end of 2009 on the publication of future local spending reports; and calls upon the Secretary of State to ensure that his report is debated by this House and voted on. |
| Mr Fabian Hamilton | | Richard Younger-Ross | | Dr Nick Palmer | | Dr Phyllis Starkey | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Lynne Jones |
| | Miss Ann Widdecombe | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | Mr David Hamilton | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House celebrates the Government's record on animal welfare; believes the Hunting Act 2004 banning fox hunting, hare coursing, hare hunting and stag hunting is in keeping with the current ideas on animal welfare; notes that over 75 per cent. of the public supports the ban; deplores the flouting of the law by some practitioners of fox hunting; and supports campaigns such as Keep Cruelty History that are strongly opposed to any attempt to repeal the Hunting Act. |
| 80 | NETWORK RAIL AND SAFETY | 18:11:09 |
| Mrs Linda Riordan | | John McDonnell | | Geraldine Smith | | David Taylor | | Gwyn Prosser | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington |
| That this House notes the decision of Network Rail to announce the loss of thousands of frontline maintenance jobs by spring 2010; believes that this will mean that in a matter of months there will be a drop of up to 20 per cent. in the number of rail workers carrying out essential inspection and maintenance work; further believes that these deep and rapid cuts raise genuine and urgent concerns as to whether Network Rail will be able to ensure the safe and efficient running of the railway, including the adequate inspection and repair of track, signals, overhead lines and other infrastructure; is deeply concerned that Network Rail is failing to consult the trade unions on the safety implications of the proposals; further notes that the cuts are in part due to the fact that the economic rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), has asked Network Rail to make efficiency savings of 21 per cent. over the next five years; is further concerned that because the ORR is both the safety and economic regulator it will be difficult for an objective view to be taken as to whether the safety of passengers and workers will be put at risk; believes the cuts cannot be justified; and calls on the Government to use its power as the primary funder of Network Rail to intervene to ensure that Network Rail directors put safety first. |
| 81 | CONFLICT PREVENTION | 18:11:09 |
| Simon Hughes | | John McDonnell | | Mr Gary Streeter | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Malcolm Bruce | | | John Barrett | Lorely Burt |
| 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. |
| 82 | DEBATE ON AFGHANISTAN | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Frank Field | | Mr Geoffrey Robinson | | Dr Kim Howells | | Hon Nicholas Soames | | Mr Charles Kennedy | | Mr Bernard Jenkin |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | John Barrett | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | | Mr Adam Holloway |
| That this House calls on the Government to stage a debate early in the 2009-10 session of Parliament on the UK's role in Afghanistan, the objectives of this intervention and the timescale over which the Government believes these goals will be achieved; requests that this debate is based on a motion that is amendable; and asks that the Prime Minister opens the debate. |
| 83 | FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION AND ROYAL HOUSEHOLD | 18:11:09 |
| Lynne Jones | | Norman Baker | | Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Gwyn Prosser | Mark Fisher | | | Mr Dennis Skinner | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr David Hamilton | Danny Alexander | Tim Farron | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House disagrees with the proposed removal of the public interest test for access through the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to information held by public authorities relating to the Royal Household's function and activities, and with the blanket ban on accessing Royal documents that would result; and instead supports the removal of the exemption of the Royal Household from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. |
| 84 | PUBLIC SECTOR PAY | 18:11:09 |
| Graham Stringer | | Alan Simpson | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House believes that no public sector employee should receive a salary higher than that of the Prime Minister. |
| As an Amendment to Graham Stringer's proposed Motion (Public Sector Pay): |
| Line 1, leave out `public sector employee' and insert `member of the board of any quango'. |
| 85 | ISLAY AND BANK OF SCOTLAND | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Alan Reid | | John McFall | | David Maclean | | Hywel Williams | | Mr Charles Kennedy | | Keith Vaz |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | Mr David Hamilton | | | Mr Alistair Carmichael |
| That this House notes the decision of the Bank of Scotland to remove the post of business relationship manager from its branch on the island of Islay; further notes the strong concern expressed by the island's business community that managers based on the mainland will not have the same understanding of the island's people, businesses and economy as a manager based on the island; and urges the Bank of Scotland to reinstate this post. |
| 86 | PREVENTION OF HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mark Durkan | | Paul Rowen |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| That this House regrets that the best estimate the Government has provided for the cost to the NHS of treating and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is based on data that is 14 years old; notes that recent reductions in superbug infection rates are modest drops from record high levels; understands that the NHS is considering providing infection-control packs to only those patients who already have MRSA; regrets that such measures are designed to deal with infection rather than prevent it; further notes that it costs up to £10,000 more to treat each patient that contracts an HCAI, which affect an estimated one in 10 patients, and that in consequence the NHS spends up to £1,000 per inpatient on treating HCAIs irrespective of whether the inpatient contracts an infection; believes that, in order to prevent HCAIs, it is essential that the NHS provides a comprehensive range of proven personal antimicrobial products and a guide to infection control to every NHS inpatient; calls upon the Government to, at the very least, undertake widespread trials of such an initiative, report the findings to the House and extend the initiative throughout the NHS if the trial is successful; and recognises that this preventative scheme, if implemented, would cost a small fraction of the amount spent on HCAI treatment. |
| 87 | WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL | 18:11:09 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Emily Thornberry | | Frank Dobson | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Harry Cohen | | Mr Neil Gerrard |
| That this House recognises the Whittington Hospital is a valuable asset to healthcare in North London and has recently undergone a major rebuilding programme; notes that the Whittington receives into its accident and emergency department alone approximately 80,000 patients annually and offers accessible services including maternity, neo-natal, cancer, day surgery and more; is very concerned to hear ongoing talk of a threat to or merger of any of the Whittington's major services with the Royal Free Hospital, thereby reducing the viability of the Whittington's continued existence as a separate institution, and of its services to local people in Islington, Haringey and Camden; and calls upon NHS London to ensure the continued existence of the Whittington Hospital inclusive of its major services. |
| Keith Vaz | | Peter Bottomley | | Sarah Teather | | Mr Edward Davey | | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | Andrew George |
| | Norman Baker | Bob Russell | Steve Webb | | | Matthew Taylor | Mr Paul Keetch | Mark Fisher | | | Mr Richard Shepherd | Mr Dennis Skinner | David Taylor | | | Frank Cook | Bill Etherington | Dr Gavin Strang | | | Malcolm Bruce | Mr Michael Moore | John Barrett | | | Mr David Hamilton | David Howarth |
| That this House welcomes the efforts being made by President Obama to close Guantįnamo Bay; notes the common legal heritage between Great Britain and the United States especially in regard to the writ of habeas corpus; further notes that the issue of Guantįnamo Bay is before the United States Supreme Court for a fourth time; and supports an effective remedy for those prisoners who have been found by a competent court to be innocent of any wrongdoing, but who continue to be held. |
| 91 | FREE HEALTH CHECKS | 18:11:09 |
| John Mann | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson | | Keith Vaz | | Bob Spink |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington |
| That this House welcomes free health checks for people aged 40 to 74 years; believes every person deserves the best in healthcare; notes that the checks will help combat heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes; further notes that the checks will also help people keep healthy and out of hospital; and welcomes the rolling-out of this scheme in Bassetlaw. |
| 92 | BEAK-TRIMMING OF LAYING HENS | 18:11:09 |
| Gwyn Prosser | | Mr Chris Mullin | | Mr Eric Martlew | | Peter Bottomley | | Norman Baker | | Bob Russell |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Willie Rennie |
| That this House is opposed to any dilution or postponement of the ban on the beak-trimming of laying hens which was introduced in 2002 and is due to come into force on 1 January 2011; notes that a postponement of the ban is unnecessary as scientific research shows that the correct way to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism is not to beak-trim the hens but to keep them in good conditions and to select birds that are less prone to feather pecking and cannibalism; is opposed not just to traditional beak-trimming with a hot blade but also to the newly developed infra-red method, as research shows that infra-red trimming can result in acute pain and involves the loss of part of the beak, which is a key sensory organ for hens; and calls on the Government to adhere to the 2011 commencement date for the ban on beak-trimming. |
| 93 | PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS | 18:11:09 |
| Gwyn Prosser | | Dr Stephen Ladyman | | Derek Wyatt | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House abhors the plans of some Conservative-run local authorities to sack public service workers and cut services while protecting their publicity machinery and enhancing the conditions of senior executives; and in particular condemns Kent County Council which proposes to abolish 700 posts while continuing to fund its own self-promoting television service, Kent TV, paying out over £5 million a year on self publicity and providing its Chief Executive with a higher salary than that of the Prime Minister. |
| 94 | RACEHORSE BREEDING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Harry Cohen | | Peter Bottomley | | Frank Cook | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Willie Rennie |
| 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. |
| 95 | FOOD LABELLING AND WELFARE OF CHICKENS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | Lady Hermon | | | Anne Main |
| 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. |
| 96 | ROYAL NAVY AND ROYAL MARINES CHILDREN'S FUND | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Spink | | Mr Lee Scott | | Bob Russell | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Colin Breed |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| That this House strongly supports the work of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund, the only charity dedicated to helping the children of serving, and ex-serving, Naval Services personnel; notes that the charity has been running for over 100 years and helps children deal with the long-term psychological, emotional, physical, financial and social impacts that can result from having a parent work in the Naval Services; commends the charity for helping over 1,500 children each year, especially when demand is increasing due to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; believes that the Government should encourage local authorities to provide greater assistance for the children and families left vulnerable by the effects of conflict; calls on Ministers to take into account the unique pressures and challenges being faced by the children of serving and ex-serving personnel when formulating policies; and urges everyone to support the excellent work of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund. |
| 97 | ANIMAL PROTECTION POLICY | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Jeremy Corbyn | | David Taylor | | Paul Flynn | | Mr David Drew | | John McDonnell |
| | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Greg Mulholland | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that many animals have complex mental and emotional lives; considers many animals to be conscious, feeling beings with an interest in living, avoiding suffering and experiencing pleasure; acknowledges that each such 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 tends to be dominated 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; 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. |
| 98 | VALUE ADDED TAX ON ESSENTIAL SUN CARE HEALTH PRODUCTS | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Sandra Gidley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Bob Russell | | John Austin | | David Heyes |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Lady Hermon | | | Anne Main |
| That this House recognises the need for a greater focus on preventative health care, and that skin cancer cases in the UK have more than doubled in the last 20 years with 60,000 people diagnosed and 1,700 deaths each year from melanoma; notes that children are particularly at risk with around 80 per cent. of exposure to the sun occurring before the age of 21 and sunburn in childhood being a major factor in an adult's chances of getting skin cancer; calls on the Government to take the financially prudent and caring approach of reclassifying suncare products as essential healthcare items for VAT purposes; and congratulates the Institute of Cancer Research and other bodies which have promoted skin awareness campaigns to remove VAT from suncare products. |
| 99 | VARIANT CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE | 18:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Crispin Blunt | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr David Drew | | John McDonnell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes the 171 deaths and confirmed cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) and the four currently surviving victims of the disease in the UK, including four through blood transfusion compared with three in total in the US; congratulates and welcomes the work of Christine Lord, following the tragic death of her son Andy from vCJD at the age of 24, in establishing a website, www.justiceforandy.com, and producing a BBC South documentary Who Killed My Son; asks the BBC to screen the documentary nationwide; further asks the Government to commission further research to establish common factors, such as school catering and vaccines among vCJD victims in South Hampshire as well as elsewhere in the country including the cases of two young men from Eastleigh near Southampton who died of vCJD within weeks of each other, and who had both received polio vaccines from the same batch; further notes the Written Answer from the Minister of State for Health on 11 March 2008, giving a vCJD sub-clinical prevalence estimate of up to one in 1,400 of the population; and further asks that the Government completes its evaluation of screening for prions in blood supply and other possible measures to protect the blood supply, in light of the conclusions reported in the 15th annual report of the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit, that blood transfusion is the most effective transmission route for vCJD. |
| 102 | WORLD CHAMPION DAVID HAYE | 18:11:09 |
| Simon Hughes | | Kate Hoey | | Peter Bottomley | | Sir Menzies Campbell | | Tom Brake | | John McDonnell |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| That this House congratulates David Haye, a Bermondsey boy and the pride of Fitzroy Lodge Boxing Club and of South London, all of the capital city and the United Kingdom, on his huge success in winning the World Boxing Association World Heavyweight title in Germany on 7 November 2009; salutes this victory of David against Goliath; and wishes him continuing great success both as a world boxing champion and as a role model for young men in London and in many places much further afield. |
| 107 | ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Tim Boswell | | Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews | | David Howarth | | Mr Andrew Tyrie | | Paul Farrelly | | Dr Evan Harris |
| | John Austin | Bill Etherington | Malcolm Bruce | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House, while neither tolerating nor condoning the commission of acts of terrorism at home or abroad, emphasises the need for maintaining commitments under the Human Rights Act and the underlying European Convention of Human Rights; welcomes the tone taken by the International Commission of Jurists in its recent report Assessing Damage, Urging Action; specifically commends their analysis that the basic Convention framework with derogations is adequate to maintain security, and that there are real dangers in creep from temporary measures towards permanency, and from the unhelpful concept of a war on terror; calls on the Government to limit actions to measures which are necessary and proportionate; further calls on the Government to avoid acts in breach of the Convention done by proxy, the use of immigration law as a substitute for criminal law, and the abuse of administrative listing processes; and further calls on the Government to take steps to ensure that the actions of intelligence agencies are fully compatible with human rights law and to initiate a process of stocktaking to identify and remedy breaches of human rights principles. |
| 108 | LONDON BUS FARES | 19:11:09 |
| Ms Diane Abbott | | Lynne Jones | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Glenda Jackson | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | John Austin | Harry Cohen | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House is disappointed at the increase in Oyster pay-as-you-go bus fares and the seven day bus pass by 20 per cent.; believes that this increase will disproportionately affect hard-working Londoners on lower incomes, who are more likely to use buses; regrets that hard working families will be hardest hit, in some cases seeing an additional expense of £263 per year; recognises Hackney Council's Be Fare campaign opposing this decision on behalf of its residents, 82 per cent. of whom regularly rely on buses; and calls on the Mayor of London to reconsider this unfair fare increase. |
| 109 | PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTHCARE PROVISION | 19:11:09 |
| Ms Diane Abbott | | Lynne Jones | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | David Taylor | | John McDonnell |
| | John Austin | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | | | Dr Richard Taylor |
| That this House believes that in order for healthcare to be truly public it must be free at the point of access and run by not-for-profit organisations; is concerned by recent developments which have seen private, profit-making companies awarded contracts to run NHS healthcare clinics; notes with concern that three clinics in Hackney are already being run by private, profit-making companies; further notes with concern that there are plans to tender out two new GP-led healthcare centres in Hackney, potentially to private, profit-making companies; further believes that all healthcare should be provided by bodies that have the interests of their patients, not their shareholders, as a priority; is concerned that privately-run healthcare centres tend to offer short-term contracts for GPs instead of allowing doctors to build up a knowledge of the local area; is further concerned by evidence that the bidding process for healthcare centres is biased in favour of private, profit-making companies who have considerably more financial and legal resources to devote to the bidding process; and calls on the Government to reverse its decision to allow private, profit-making companies to tender for healthcare centre contracts. |
| 110 | BLACK HISTORY MONTH | 19:11:09 |
| Ms Diane Abbott | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Glenda Jackson | | Stephen Williams |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | David Heyes | Dr Richard Taylor | Mr Andy Slaughter |
| That this House celebrates the success of Black History Month 2009; recognises that black people have played a vital role in the history of the country and that everybody benefits by learning more about it; further believes that black and ethnic minority history should be fully integrated into the curriculum to this end; and calls on the Government to look at how the history learnt by everybody all year round might be broadened. |
| 111 | DIGITAL NETWORKS AND THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD | 19:11:09 |
| Derek Wyatt | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Glenda Jackson | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | John Austin | Mr Greg Pope | Frank Cook | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | David Heyes | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House recognises the important contribution to the lives of young people around the world made by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its publication; further recognises the dramatic differences that the advancement of digital technology, particularly the internet, has made to children's lives since the publication of the Convention; congratulates the Government, industry and police in the UK on their efforts to provide a safe and stimulating online environment, as well as educating young people on the opportunities and dangers they may come across; and calls on the Government to lead the United Nations in establishing international standards for safe and meaningful access to digital networks under the auspices of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. |
| 112 | DON'T WRITE ME OFF CAMPAIGN | 19:11:09 |
| Paul Rowen | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Julia Goldsworthy |
| | John Austin | Steve Webb | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Paul Murphy | Malcolm Bruce | David Heyes | | | John Barrett | Lady Hermon | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | | Mr Andy Slaughter | Lorely Burt | Anne Main |
| That this House recognises that 80 per cent. of people with autism on incapacity benefit want to work, yet only 15 per cent. are currently in full-time work; acknowledges that one-third are without access to either benefits or work; further recognises that the system is failing people with autism; agrees that all adults with autism should be supported to work when they can and be able to access benefits when they cannot work; urges the Government to lead the way with a national strategy that meets the employment needs of people with autism; congratulates the National Autistic Society for highlighting these issues in its campaign Don't Write Me Off; and calls for changes to make the system fair for people with autism. |
| 113 | MUSCULOSKELETAL SERVICES FRAMEWORK | 19:11:09 |
| Paul Rowen | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Stephen Williams | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mr David Amess | John Austin | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Lady Hermon |
| That this House welcomes the publication of Joint Working?: An Audit of the Implementation of the Department of Health's musculoskeletal services framework by the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance; notes that musculoskeletal conditions place a significant burden on both the NHS and society, accounting for £3.5 billion of total NHS spending every year and causing a loss of some 11.2 million working days per annum; expresses concern that the Department of Health's musculoskeletal services framework has been implemented in an inconsistent way across the country since its introduction in 2006; recognises that the variations in standards of care across the UK for patients living with musculoskeletal conditions should be addressed; and calls on the Government to consider the recommendation contained in the report for the appointment of a national clinical director to lead and develop new priorities and incentives for musculoskeletal services in the UK. |
| 114 | REMUNERATION OF ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Bob Spink | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | David Taylor |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House is appalled that UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI), the public body created by HM Treasury to oversee the taxpayers' interests in the billions of pounds of public money provided to the failing private banks, has seen fit, on behalf of taxpayers, to endorse the obscene financial package worth £9,600,000 per year to Stephen Hester as chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which is 70 per cent. owned by taxpayers; contrasts this utterly unacceptable and incomprehensible UKFI decision with the announcement of RBS a month earlier on 21 May to make redundant 700 workers in the first wave of a planned 4,500 job losses across the United Kingdom, which followed an announcement of 9,000 job losses by RBS in April; does not accept that this absurd level of payment is necessary to incentivise efficient management of RBS, noting that outgoing RBS chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin was paid a massive £4,190,000 a year, and his business decisions brought the bank to the verge of ruin; recalls that Mr Hester told the Treasury Committee on 11 February 2009 `I do think banking pay in some areas of the industry is way too high and needs to come down and I intend us to lead that process'; believes the remuneration package offered to Mr Hester is entirely inconsistent with his own intention; and therefore believes the Chancellor should intervene immediately with UKFI to block this outrageous planned payment to Mr Hester. |
| 116 | ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND BONUSES AND USE OF PUBLIC MONEY | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | John McDonnell | | Hywel Williams |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington |
| That this House contrasts the decision on 2 November 2009 of the senior executives of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to make redundant 3,700 workers with its decision reported on 12 August 2009 to offer a £7 million golden handshake to hire one so-called star banker from Merrill Lynch bank and to recruit another banker, as finance director, from the Bank of New York Mellon on a salary package worth more than £5.4 million a year; notes with serious concern the RBS senior management decision in October to set aside a £4 billion bonus pot, which would top the deals awarded at the peak of the financial boom in 2007 and are 66 per cent. higher than those paid in 2008; believes there is no justification for the management of this failed bank receiving such obscene bonuses; recalls that the Economic Secretary to the Treasury told the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent in a written answer on 17 December 2008, Official Report, column 823W, that UK Financial Investments Limited, which was wholly owned by the Government, would work to ensure management incentivisation based on long-term value maximisation, which attracts and retains high quality management and which minimises the potential for rewarding failure; further believes there is no justification for bailing out RBS with a further £25.5 billion from the public purse while its management is reducing its workforce and increasing their own bonuses; and regrets that the Government, instead of handing over billions of pounds of additional taxpayers' money to failed banks, has not fully nationalised them in the public interest. |
| 117 | PROFESSOR ELINOR OSTROM AND THE 2009 NOBEL PRIZE FOR ECONOMICS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | David Taylor | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Frank Cook | Bill Etherington | Lembit Öpik | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House warmly welcomes the award of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Economics in October to the co-operative theorist and researcher, Professor Elinor Ostrom of Indiana University; is especially pleased that, albeit far too late, she is the first woman to win this esteemed prize; notes Professor Ostrom has been recognised for integrating research and scholarship from economics, political sciences and sociology, creating an inter-disciplinary fusion enhancing the understanding of poverty and the distribution of resources; agrees with Professor Ostrom that steps towards agreement on social differences can be successfully taken at family, community, civic and national level; further agrees with her judgment that co-operative systems of management succeed in contexts where market theorists long predicted failure; also agrees with the observation of Ed Mayo, the chief executive designate of Co-operatives UK, in The Guardian on 17 October 2009 that Professor Ostrom has demonstrated `that human behaviour in our capacity to collaborate is so much richer and more creative that the traditional theorists of the dismal science of economics would have us believe'; and calls on the Government to adapt Professor Ostrom's principles into its own economic policies. |
| 118 | NATIONAL AUTISM SOCIETY | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George |
| | John Austin | Ms Diane Abbott | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Joan Walley | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | David Heyes | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon | | | Mr Alistair Carmichael | David Howarth | Mr Andy Slaughter | | | Anne Main | Willie Rennie |
| That this House commends the National Autism Society (NAS) for its work to increase and expand diagnosis and support services for those with autism and related developmental problems; recognises the importance of ensuring that diagnosis and support services are targeted and effective to eradicate the isolation and ignorance that those with autism are at risk of experiencing; further recognises that effective services can only be achieved by the Government working closely with the NAS, local authorities and primary care trusts to develop their knowledge and expertise of autism; and calls on the Government to pursue building these relationships in order to transform the lives of both adults and children with autism. |
| 119 | MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY PAY | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Alistair Carmichael | | Andrew George | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Danny Alexander |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Joan Walley | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes the 2008-09 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) annual accounts which show senior management and board members within the MCA received on average a 15 per cent. pay increase whilst those on the frontline received an average one per cent. increase; further notes with surprise the 7.6 per cent. increase in the chief executive's salary from £127,000 in 2007-08 to £137,400 in 2008-09 in contrast to salaries for a coastguard watch assistant which start from £13,260; further notes with concern the continuing poor industrial relations within the MCA and the significant disparities between pay for MCA workers and others doing comparable jobs in other emergency services; further notes that in 2008 over 700 MCA workers took part in their first ever one day strike over pay and that as a result half of the UK's rescue co-ordination centres closed because of strike action; acknowledges the recent decision by the Public and Commercial Services Union to ballot its MCA members for potential future strike action; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to intervene in this long running dispute and offer reasonable pay for those who protect and serve the UK's shores and seas. |
| 120 | CHARITIES AND CHURCHES AT CHRISTMAS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr Greg Pope | | | Bill Etherington | Lady Hermon | Willie Rennie |
| That this House recognises the many charities, organisations and churches around the country working tirelessly to support those for whom Christmas is a difficult time; acknowledges their provision of homeless shelters, support for those with health problems, and company and support for those on their own; recognises the invaluable role the church plays at Christmas by uniting the community and providing help to families, homeless and those on their own; and congratulates the thousands of volunteers throughout the UK who give up their spare time to support others during the holidays. |
| 121 | SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT FOR FARMERS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | John Austin | Bill Etherington | Mr David Hamilton | | | Lady Hermon | Willie Rennie |
| That this House calls for procurement policies on the purchasing of food supplied by local farmers to supply the supermarkets and shops in their local area; recognises the quality of locally grown and reared produce by local farmers; further calls for efforts to ensure less environmental damage by reducing the number of food miles; further calls for the creation of sustainable communities by bringing together farmers and buyers; and further calls for the establishment of local farm co-operatives to help build relationships between food outlets and their neighbourhood farmers. |
| 122 | CO-OP AND FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | John Austin | Mark Fisher | Joan Walley | | | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | Malcolm Bruce | | | David Heyes | Lady Hermon | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates the Co-op for its pro-active policy in selling a wide variety of fair trade products; recognises that the Co-op has maintained an innovative approach to product development going far beyond traditional fair trade products such as tea, coffee, sugar, chocolate and bananas with special seasonal promotions such as fair trade Christmas puddings, mince pies and Easter eggs; pays tribute to the Co-op for taking a strong lead in the promotion and sale of fair trade products; and encourages other stores and supermarkets to follow this lead and expand the range of fair trade goods on sale. |
| 123 | HELP FOR HEROES CHARITY FUNDING | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | David Taylor |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Joan Walley | | | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | | | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| 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 aims to raise £20 million through high profile events, sponsorship and individual donations by 2010; and calls on the Government to provide match funding in order that organisations and projects designed to help injured troops have the finances available to provide first-class care and support. |
| As an Amendment to Mr Lindsay Hoyle's proposed Motion (Help for Heroes Charity Funding): |
| Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr William McCrea | | Mr Nigel Dodds | | Willie Rennie |
| Line 5, after `2010;' insert `acknowledges the tremendous efforts made by a range of volunteers, including the hon. Member for Upper Bann, in recently raising thousands of pounds for the charity;'. |
| 124 | DOLPHIN SLAUGHTER IN JAPAN | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | David Heyes | | | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon | Mr Alistair Carmichael |
| That this House condemns the annual Japanese dolphin hunt that takes place between September and March; questions the Japanese government's claim that the slaughtering of dolphins is necessary pest control; finds no reason to slaughter on average thousands of dolphins in Japanese waters; is concerned that the majority of Japanese people are not aware of the practice and are buying chemically enhanced dolphin meat disguised as whale meat; notes the work of the British group Campaign Whale and their work in collaboration with the international Save Japan Dolphins coalition; and calls on the Government to support these groups in raising awareness of the issue. |
| 125 | CONSUMER PROTECTION FOR AIRLINE PASSENGERS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Robert N. Wareing | | Paul Holmes |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | Mr David Hamilton | | | Lady Hermon | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes with concern that when flights are booked online there is no protection for the customer if the airline concerned goes into administration; notes that customers booking a package holiday have their rights protected by European law under the Package Travel Directive and bookings made through a travel agent are protected by ABTA and ATOL; calls for this loophole in the law to be addressed; and supports Brian Simpson MEP's resolution to the European Parliament calling for all airline passengers to be protected. |
| 126 | GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR CARERS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| | John Austin | Joan Walley | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | Lady Hermon | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House calls on the Government to simplify guidance and systems of support for carers; is concerned by the findings of the Public Accounts Committee that one-fifth of carers who receive benefits have experienced difficulties claiming; notes that approximately 900,000 people in the UK care for a relative or loved one; acknowledges that the value of the service that unpaid carers provide is not reflected in the quality of support available for them; and urges the Government to urgently review the loopholes identified by the committee in order to adequately support the vital work of carers. |
| 127 | CANNED LION HUNTING | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Mr David Hamilton | Mr Alistair Carmichael |
| That this House condemns the practice of canned lion hunting in South Africa; notes that an estimated 1,000 lions annually are bred specifically to be killed in unethical canned hunts; denounces the barbaric treatment and conditions the lionesses and cubs are subjected to before they reach maturity; further notes with concern that canned hunting was banned in 2006 but successive legal appeals have allowed the breeders to continue making money whilst the ban is suspended; acknowledges the work of charities such as Born Free that have been fiercely campaigning for the matter to be addressed with urgency; and calls on the South African government to commit to enforcing the 2006 legislation. |
| 128 | EXTENSION OF THE CAR SCRAPPAGE SCHEME | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Lynne Jones | | Ian Stewart | | Mr Dai Havard |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | David Heyes | Lady Hermon |
| That this House welcomes the Government's announcement to extend the car scrappage scheme to cover an extra 100,000 vehicles; acknowledges recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders confirming that the scrappage scheme has raised demand and therefore production of cars in the UK; therefore notes that the scheme has contributed to saving potentially tens of thousands of skilled jobs by preventing the closure of any British car plant during the recession to date; and calls on the Government to strengthen the British car industry further by introducing a short-term working subsidy as proven successful through such schemes in operation across Europe. |
| 129 | PROTECTION AND CREATION OF BRIDLEWAYS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Mr Peter Atkinson | Bill Etherington | Anne Main | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House calls for increased protection, maintenance and creation of bridleways and off-road facilities for horse riders; notes with concern the sharp increase in road accidents involving horses, riders and motor vehicles; further calls for measures to be taken to ensure everyone can enjoy access to the countryside safely; recalls the aims of the Discovering Lost Ways project which sought to produce a definitive map of pathways to become modern rights of way; and further calls on the Government to liaise with equestrian groups, rambling societies and others who value the countryside to use the data collected to invest smartly in maintaining and improving access for equestrians. |
| 130 | COMMUNICATION AT CHRISTMAS FOR FRONTLINE TROOPS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Lee Scott | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Mr Paul Murphy | Michael Connarty | | | David Heyes | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon | | | Mr Alistair Carmichael | Danny Alexander | Willie Rennie |
| That this House calls for the Ministry of Defence to repeat last year's provision of extra minutes of free talk time over the festive period for British military personnel serving overseas; further calls for an assessment of the adequacy of mobile broadband internet terminals to ensure adequate access to email; and recognises how valuable being able to communicate with family and friends at home is for troops particularly during the Christmas holidays. |
| 131 | BENEFIT HELPLINE SCAMS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | Mr David Hamilton | | | Lady Hermon | Willie Rennie |
| That this House seeks to raise awareness of disingenuous benefit advice helplines which charge callers extortionate rates; is concerned by websites that advertise benefits advice and charge callers £1.50 per minute; notes that people in need of benefit advice and support are often those who are the most financially challenged and cannot afford these extortionate rates; further notes the Government's benefits enquiries line which offers advice free of charge; and calls on the Government to take action to warn people away from such websites and to ensure the Government's free advice line is sufficiently advertised. |
| 132 | PROVISION OF TAMIFLU BY BRITISH RED CROSS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Bob Spink | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Bill Etherington | Lady Hermon |
| That this House commends the British Red Cross for its support for local health and emergency response services in responding to the national swine influenza outbreak; notes that the Red Cross is relieving pressure on the ambulance service by transporting non-emergency patients and is distributing volunteers to act as flu friends delivering anti-viral medication; further notes the efficiency of the Red Cross in co-ordinating its network of support; and honours all those giving their free time to support those who are most vulnerable. |
| 133 | HELP THE HOMELESS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | David Heyes | Mr Gregory Campbell | Lady Hermon | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House pays tribute to the work of Help the Homeless; recognises the important role Help the Homeless plays in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society; pays tribute to those who work for Help the Homeless and do everything they can to ensure that people are not sleeping rough; and calls on local authorities and Government to provide adequate funding to Help the Homeless, which provides a cost-effective service in helping homeless people back into society. |
| 134 | LLOYDS TSB AND SCOTTISH CHARITIES | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Alistair Carmichael | | Danny Alexander | | Sir Robert Smith | | Mr Michael Moore | | John Barrett | | Malcolm Bruce |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | John Thurso | | | Jo Swinson | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes with regret the recent decision by Lloyds Banking Group to cut its Scottish charitable foundations funding worth an estimated six million pounds annually; further notes the concerns raised that many Scottish charities face closure, job losses and scaling down as a result of the loss of funding; further notes that Scottish charities are set to lose £22 million over the next nine years as a result of the bank's new proposals; further notes that over the past year Lloyds Bank has received over £40 billion in Government aid; recognises that the charitable foundation is an independent body which operates to a covenant put in place by an Act of Parliament; applauds the work of the foundation which since its establishment in 1985 has delivered more than 12,000 awards totalling nearly £85 million to disadvantaged people and communities across Scotland; and urges the bank to reconsider its funding cuts decision. |
| 135 | TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Andrew Pelling | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Dr Rudi Vis | | Mr Brian Jenkins | | Bill Etherington |
| That this House believes that a portion of schools funding should be hypothecated for the provision of professional development for teachers and teaching cover to permit ease of release for such training. |
| 136 | HIGHER TARGETS FOR RIVER WATER QUALITY | 19:11:09 |
| Paddy Tipping | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Norman Baker | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones |
| | John Austin | Joan Walley | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Frank Cook | Bill Etherington | Malcolm Bruce | | | Patrick Mercer | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes with concern that only 21 per cent. of rivers in England and 33 per cent. in Wales are of Good Ecological Status according to European Water Framework Directive criteria, which measure a river's chemical and biological health, and that the Environment Agency plans to increase this proportion to just 26 per cent. and 35 per cent. by 2015; and therefore calls on the Government to urge the Environment Agency to set more ambitious standards for improving river water quality, which according to a Regulatory Impact Assessment conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs could generate economic benefits of £3.6 billion. |
| 137 | WORLD CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE DAY 2009 | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Kevin Barron | | Sandra Gidley | | Dr Richard Taylor | | Dr Doug Naysmith | | Charlotte Atkins | | Mr Robert Syms |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Mr Greg Pope | Bill Etherington | David Heyes | | | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| That this House celebrate World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day on 18 November 2009; eagerly awaits the forthcoming clinical strategy for COPD; understands that if fully implemented this 10-year plan for the NHS will raise the quality of care for people living with COPD, address the lack of awareness of the condition and help to identify the millions of people with undiagnosed COPD; supports the aim of the British Lung Foundation to make COPD a disease of the past by ensuring that people are diagnosed during the early stages of their disease and are encouraged to take steps that will halt the disease progression; and endorses the award-winning Love Your Lungs campaign led by the British Lung Foundation which uses demographic data to identify where people with undiagnosed COPD are most likely to live and which through targeted campaigning encourages people most at risk to have a lung function test. |
| 138 | SAY NO TO SIZE ZERO CAMPAIGN | 19:11:09 |
| Lembit Öpik | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Bob Spink | | Mr Gordon Prentice |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Mr Paul Truswell | | | Lady Hermon |
| That this House notes with concern the high number of people suffering from eating disorders in the UK and the popularity of pro-anorexia websites with teenagers; deplores the use of the motto Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels by fashion and style role models; believes the Say no to size Zero campaign led by model Katie Green is an appropriate and intelligent response to the pressure on younger people to lose dangerous amounts of weight in the misguided belief that this is desirable and attractive; and requests that in future due care and attention is taken by celebrities in the fashion industry when commenting about weight. |
| 139 | DETENTION OF CHILDREN | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Chris Mullin | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Glenda Jackson | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Norman Baker | John Austin | Ms Diane Abbott | | | Mr Paul Burstow | Steve Webb | Matthew Taylor | | | Nick Harvey | Mark Fisher | Clare Short | | | Mr Fabian Hamilton | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr David Chaytor | | | Sir Alan Beith | Bill Etherington | Michael Connarty | | | Malcolm Bruce | Mr Michael Moore | Mr Roger Williams | | | John Thurso | Mr Alistair Carmichael | David Howarth | | | Mark Williams | Jo Swinson | Tim Farron |
| That this House notes with concern that around 2,000 children are detained each year in immigration detention centres, some for periods of several months; further notes the opinion of Save the Children and the Children's Commissioner that this is unjustified and damaging; further notes that families with children are among the least likely to abscond; further notes that some EU and Commonwealth countries have successfully introduced solutions other than secure detention for families who have exhausted their asylum claims; and urgently calls on the Government to end the practice of holding children in immigration detention centres. |
| 140 | PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF NON-CAGE EGGS | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Chris Mullin | | Gwyn Prosser | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Bob Russell | | Mr David Amess |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House welcomes the decision by many supermarkets, local authorities and manufacturers not to sell or use eggs from caged hens; notes with concern that the criteria for the pilot stage of the Government's Healthier Food Mark do not exclude the use of conventional battery eggs; further notes that the production of conventional battery eggs is banned in the EU from 1 January 2012 and that the public sector continues to purchase eggs from production systems with low standards of animal welfare; and calls on the Government to prohibit the public procurement of eggs from caged hens and to buy instead eggs that meet higher animal welfare standards, including barn, free range and organic eggs. |
| 141 | IBM FINAL SALARY PENSION SCHEME | 19:11:09 |
| Sandra Gidley | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | David Taylor | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George |
| | John Austin | Bill Etherington | Chris Huhne | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House expresses its concern that IBM, a company which achieved record profits in 2008 with substantial revenues and cash reserves and which employs around 18,000 staff in the United Kingdom, has proposed changes to its final salary pension scheme that will see it closed to existing employees for future accrual after March 2010; is concerned that IBM are to implement an early retirement policy which will change the terms and restrict the circumstances in which the company will give its consent to early retirement; believes that this will have a devastating impact on future pensions; and calls on IBM management to address the genuine concerns of loyal and hard-working employees and to protect their pension benefits. |
| 142 | ASBESTOS IN HOMES | 19:11:09 |
| Sandra Gidley | | Andrew George | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington |
| That this House condemns the action of Testway Housing in Hampshire in failing to remove asbestos from as many as 60 homes in Romsey before a promised deadline; notes with concern reports that internal fans within the affected loft spaces are dispersing asbestos fibres around the houses; further notes with concern the detrimental impact of asbestos upon human health; and calls on Testway Housing to take appropriate action to remove all remaining asbestos from the affected properties immediately. |
| 143 | SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL | 19:11:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Nick Hurd | | Julia Goldsworthy | | Roger Berry | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Oliver Letwin |
| | Mr Andrew Mackay | Mr Bernard Jenkin | Mr Michael Mates | | | Mr James Arbuthnot | Gwyn Prosser | Matthew Taylor | | | Robert Key | Michael Fabricant | Mark Fisher | | | Mr Marsha Singh | Mr George Howarth | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Don Touhig | Lembit Öpik | Michael Connarty | | | David Heyes | Mr Mark Prisk | Patrick Mercer | | | Angela Watkinson | Mr David Laws | Mr Graham Stuart | | | Mr David Jones | Paul Rowen | Lorely Burt | | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes the success of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 as the first step towards building a bottom up democracy; further notes the enthusiasm shown by local authorities across England in deciding to use the Act, with 100 councils having already used that process and a further 50 councils having stated their intention to do so at the next available opportunity, showing that nearly half of all councils wish to use the Act's process in the future; notes also the genuine cross-party support that the original Act commanded; and so supports the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill introduced in Session 2008-09 which would extend the 2007 Act by ensuring that the process of involvement established by the Act becomes an on-going process rather than a one-off event, by involving parish and town councils and their county associations in the process and by empowering citizens to petition their councils to use the Act if they are not already doing so. |
| 144 | NEGOTIATING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS CONVENTION | 19:11:09 |
| Jeremy Corbyn | | Peter Bottomley | | Nick Harvey | | Paul Flynn | | Angus Robertson | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Martin Linton | John Austin | | | Ms Diane Abbott | Roger Berry | Mr Adrian Sanders | | | Mark Fisher | Joan Walley | Mr Bill Olner | | | Clare Short | Richard Burden | Mr Bob Laxton | | | Mr Paul Truswell | Mr David Chaytor | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Chris Mullin | Miss Anne Begg | Dr Gavin Strang | | | Mr Mike Weir | Mark Williams | Dan Rogerson | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes the forthcoming nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in May 2010 and the opportunities it presents for progress on nuclear disarmament and non-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 growing international support for negotiation of a Nuclear Weapons Convention to outlaw all nuclear weapons; and calls on the Government to give full support to negotiating a Nuclear Weapons Convention and to make this position absolutely clear at the NPT Review Conference. |
| 145 | LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS AND TOURISM | 19:11:09 |
| Pete Wishart | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Alan Meale | | John McDonnell | | Hywel Williams |
| | John Austin | Mr David Hamilton | Mr Alistair Carmichael | | | Anne Main |
| That this House recognises the potential the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have for tourism; believes that this should be marketed and maximised to benefit all parts of the UK and not solely focus on local attractions in London; and calls on all stakeholders, including VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales to work together to maximise the tourism benefits of the Games. |
| As an Amendment to Pete Wishart's proposed Motion (London 2012 Olympics and Tourism): |
| Mr Gregory Campbell | | David Simpson | | Dr William McCrea | | Dr Kim Howells | | Mr Nigel Dodds | | Mr Brian Jenkins |
| Line 4, after `VisitWales', insert `and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board'. |
| 146 | TELEVISION REPLAY EVIDENCE IN FOOTBALL MATCHES | 19:11:09 |
| Mr Angus MacNeil | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Lynne Jones | | John McDonnell | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Roger Godsiff |
| | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | Bill Etherington | | | Mr David Hamilton |
| That this House calls on FIFA to cease its opposition to the introduction of television replay evidence in televised football matches, a position that denies referees the best possible means of doing their job, that leads to demonstrably unjust decisions and outcomes of matches, and blemishes the reputations of great players who are tempted to deceive the referee and the wider public audience. |
| 147 | THE PRINCE'S RAINFORESTS PROJECT | 19:11:09 |
| David Maclean | | Bob Spink | | Glenda Jackson | | Stephen Williams | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mr Malcolm Moss | John Austin | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Joan Walley | Mr Paul Truswell | Bill Etherington | | | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr David Hamilton | Lady Hermon |
| That this House supports the work of The Prince's Rainforests Project, which aims to halt the current rate of forest destruction of 32,000 hectares per week; recognises that rainforests absorb 10 per cent. of all the carbon dioxide produced in the world, but that burning them produces 17 per cent. of the earth's carbon dioxide, more than all the transport systems in the world put together; believes that climate change cannot be stopped unless saving the rainforests is put at the heart of the policy; acknowledges that over one third of the rainforests have already been destroyed, and that large-scale further destruction could prevent them from producing the essential oxygen and moisture the planet needs; further recognises that one per cent. of currently-assessed rainforest plant species give 25 per cent. of essential life-saving drugs and that it is folly to continue the destruction of habitat where 99 per cent. of the species of all types have not been measured or assessed; understands that rainforests are on the agenda for the Copenhagen Summit; and calls on the Government to press for an urgent agreement on a funding mechanism which makes the rainforests worth more alive than dead. |
| 148 | CITIZENS' CONVENTION (ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICS) BILL | 23:11:09 |
| Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Douglas Carswell | | Jenny Willott | | Norman Lamb | | Mr David Drew | | Jim Dowd |
| | Mr Colin Breed | Matthew Taylor | Mr James Plaskitt | | | Mr Roger Godsiff | Tim Farron |
| That this House is concerned at the current crisis of confidence regarding the political system; maintains that electors and not just politicians should be involved in initiating change; supports the provisions of the Citizens' Convention (Accountability and Ethics) Bill introduced in the last Session; believes that these provisions should be enacted expeditiously; and calls on the Government to provide sufficient additional time for any such Bill introduced in the present Session to be enacted. |
| 149 | LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD AND CYCLING TRACK WORLD CUP | 23:11:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | John McDonnell | | David Lepper | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| That this House congratulates Otley resident Lizzie Armitstead and the whole British team's cycling success at the Track World Cup in Manchester; further congratulates Lizzie, Wendy Houvenaghel and Joanna Rowsell in setting a new world record in the Team Pursuit event, shaving almost half a second from the previous record; hopes the team continue to be great role models for aspiring cyclists and athletes across the country; applauds Lizzie for winning two gold medals in the Women's Points race and Women's Team Pursuit; praises the Track World Event as an example of how Britain is leading the world in cycling; further hopes that the British team continues its run of success; and looks forward to seeing Lizzie, Wendy and Joanna triumph at the 2012 Olympics. |
| 150 | VALUE ADDED TAX AND BEER DUTY | 23:11:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Andrew George | | Paul Holmes | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that value added tax (VAT) is due to rise back to 17.5 per cent. following the recent cut; is concerned that this increase will not be offset by a lowering of duty on alcohol; is further concerned that an eight per cent. increase in duty is pending, and will effectively off-set any benefit pub owners have received from the fall in VAT; regrets that this will result in yet another increase in the price of beer and other beverages which will be to the detriment of the pub industry; recognises that approximately 52 pubs are closing each week in the United Kingdom and that several factors are already negatively affecting the industry; and calls on the Government to lower the duty on beer sales to help the troubled pub industry in this country and on pub-owning companies and breweries to pass the benefit on to licensees who will be able to pass this on to the consumer and actually assist pubs. |
| Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | David Taylor | | Paul Holmes | | John McDonnell |
| That this House notes with concern the alarming increase in the use of payday loans; further notes that interest rates are extremely high and that these loans are designed in such a way that borrowers often have difficulty paying them off when they are due, with no option to pay in instalments; further notes that a large part of the industry's profit comes from repeat borrowers who find themselves unable, because of the way the loans are designed, to repay their loans on the due date and instead must continually renew them, incurring massive charges; further notes that the industry has failed to properly regulate itself; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to limit interest rates and charges and to publicise the better ways to borrow small amounts of money over a relatively short period of time. |
| 153 | PARENTLINE ASSISTANCE | 23:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | John McDonnell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that household budgets across the country are being squeezed and family life can be very tough; congratulates the staff and volunteers working with Parentline, the national parent support charity, which provides a 24-hour, free, confidential helpline and the Got a Teenager website, for the work they do to help parents with teenagers and children; recognises that building communities that are good for children means listening to parents and giving them the help they need; and therefore calls on the Government to continue to fund Parentline and for hon. Members to refer constituents experiencing difficulties to Parentline via the confidential free telephone helpline and their online support. |
| 154 | GREEN BELT POLICY | 23:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Alan Meale | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Dai Davies | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Philip Davies |
| That this House believes that Britain's green belt is one of the country's most valuable assets and therefore calls on the Government and local authorities to redouble efforts to protect it. |
| Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Adam Price | | Mr Paul Keetch | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George |
| | Mr Mark Oaten | Martin Linton | Ms Diane Abbott | | | Mr Robert Syms | Mark Fisher | Mr Phil Willis | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Sir Gerald Kaufman | Mr Peter Atkinson | | | Mr Denis Murphy | Mr Fraser Kemp | Malcolm Bruce | | | John Mann | Annette Brooke | Mark Williams | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Lorely Burt |
| That this House urges the Chancellor to use his Pre-Budget Statement to reverse the eight per cent. beer duty increase when value added tax (VAT) returns to its full rate on 1 January 2010; notes that the duty increase denied the British beer and pub industry the benefits of the VAT cut and that pub closures are now running at a record high of more than 50 a week; further notes that the planned VAT increase in January will result in an extra six pence on an average pint of beer and lower tax revenues to HM Treasury; and calls on the Government to pursue a tax policy that benefits low strength alcoholic drinks like beer, Britain's national drink and is fair to an industry that employs more than half a million people and plays a crucial part in supporting the economic and social wellbeing of communities across the UK. |
| 158 | UK INDUSTRY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY | 23:11:09 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Alan Meale | | John McDonnell | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Clare Short | Mr Tom Harris | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Lorely Burt |
| That this House is concerned that despite recycled fuels manufactured from used cooking oil being more environmentally friendly, they are subject to much heavier and costly regulation than the combustion of the most polluting fossil fuels under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007; appreciates that technological advances in the renewable energy industry have allowed waste to be recycled into fuel, known as end of waste fuels; accepts that an end of waste fuel that has passed the stringent Carnwath test should be treated as a virgin fuel and that this concept is recognised in both UK and EU law; notes that used cooking oil produces carbon-neutral electricity and contributes to reducing UK dependency on fossil fuels; further notes the UK commitment to ensure renewable energy makes up 15 per cent. of all energy by 2020; recognises that analysis for the Renewable Energy Strategy indicates that nearly a quarter of the changes to reach the UK renewable energy target could come from bioenergy in the heat and electricity sectors; acknowledges with concern that current environmental legislation does not recognise the end of waste criteria; understands that this disincentivises investment in renewable technology and risks putting the UK at a disadvantage in relation to its European counterparts; therefore calls on the Government to update the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 to recognise the end of waste concept and provide a clear timetable for doing so. |
| 159 | CAMPAIGNING RESEARCH PROGRAMME | 23:11:09 |
| Jenny Willott | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Andrew George | | Paul Holmes | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Phil Willis |
| | Malcolm Bruce | David Howarth | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Lorely Burt | Willie Rennie |
| That this House is deeply concerned by the decision by the Office for the Third Sector to divert £750,000 from the Campaigning Research Programme to top up the Hardship Fund; notes that the Campaigning Research Programme was for organisations with a turnover of less than £150,000 and that the Hardship Fund is for those over £200,000; is alarmed that this decision has been made despite the fact that grants to 32 small charities from the Programme's fund had already been approved, and that it was made without any effort to consult those charities affected or the sector more broadly; is concerned that this runs counter to the terms of the Compact for charities and sets a poor example to other public bodies; and calls on the Government to reinstate the funding for the Programme without delay. |
| 160 | NATIONAL OBESITY WEEK | 23:11:09 |
| Mr Mark Oaten | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | John McDonnell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| That this House congratulates the MEND organisation, the Fitness Industry Association and the National Obesity Forum for staging an innovative, insightful event during National Obesity Week and for continuing to raise awareness of obesity issues; highlights the practical local community action that is being taken around the country to address child weight management issues; believes that a nationally-driven, locally-delivered approach to child weight management leveraging the resources of the health and fitness sector is worth pursuing; and calls on the Government to encourage the promotion of child weight management programmes across the country to ensure that all who need them have access to such vital services. |
| 161 | CHILDCARE SOS CAMPAIGN | 23:11:09 |
| Mark Durkan | | David Taylor | | Ms Katy Clark | | Bob Russell | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Eddie McGrady |
| | Mr Graham Brady | Dan Rogerson | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House recognises the beneficial impact of the childcare voucher tax exemptions introduced in 2005; notes that 340,000 working parents across the UK avail themselves of the childcare voucher scheme and that the majority of these are basic rate taxpayers; is concerned by the Government's proposal to abolish tax relief on childcare vouchers; believes that middle income, hard-working families who are just above the threshold for means-tested benefits would lose out most from such a change; rejects the assertion that the scheme primarily benefits those on a high income; further notes that capping it at a given income would prevent undue benefit to those on higher incomes without denying assistance to those in most need; welcomes the launch of the Childcare SOS campaign by the Employers for Childcare; and calls on the Government to consider the serious implications of the proposal to hit the childcare voucher scheme for worsening the gender pay gap, reducing opportunities and incentives for two parents to work, impairing the quality and affordability of childcare available to working parents and removing a key source of income for nurseries and childminders. |
| 162 | CLOSURE OF IBM'S FINAL SALARY PENSION SCHEME | 23:11:09 |
| Alan Keen | | Stephen Pound | | Ann Winterton | | Chris Huhne | | Lorely Burt | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr James Gray | Mr James Plaskitt | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House expresses concern that IBM, a company which achieved record profits in 2008, with substantial revenues and cash reserves and which employs around 18,000 staff in the United Kingdom, is proposing changes to its final salary pension scheme that will see it closed to existing employees for future accrual after March 2010; notes that IBM are to implement an early retirement policy which will change the terms and restrict the circumstances in which the company will give its consent to early retirement; believes that this will have a devastating impact on future pensions; and calls on IBM management to address the genuine concerns of loyal and hard-working employees and to protect their pension benefits. |
| 163 | PROMOTION OF ANOREXIA | 23:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | John McDonnell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Dr William McCrea | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Mr Andrew Pelling | David Simpson |
| That this House is deeply concerned about sources that promote anorexia and offer inappropriate encouragement, tips and tricks to potential victims of this terrible affliction; and therefore calls on the Government to investigate and discourage or prevent such sources, which cause devastation for people and families, and to support sources which offer help and advice to victims and parents. |
| 164 | PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INQUIRY | 23:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Paul Holmes | | John McDonnell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| That this House believes public consultation and inquiry is a crucial part of the national legislative process; is concerned that proposed changes to planning laws will bypass this important process for certain schemes; and urges the Government to ensure the public interest is maintained in all its future proposals. |
| 165 | TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE DISEASES | 23:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | David Taylor | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Mr Paul Murphy | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House congratulates Prostate UK on its campaign to raise awareness of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which affects more than a third of men aged over 50 years, equating to around 3.2 million men in the UK; notes that while there are three common prostate disorders for men a recent survey found that only one in seven men is aware of the location and function of the prostate and fewer still have any knowledge of the diseases to which it is prone; and calls on the Department of Health to provide appropriate training and resources for GPs to effectively manage prevalent prostate conditions. |
| 166 | OFGEM AND PREPAYMENT METER PRICES | 23:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | David Taylor | | Glenda Jackson |
| That this House welcomes Ofgem's proposals to ban unjustified price differences for prepayment meter customers; is concerned that prepay meter customers such as single parent families are often vulnerable and are overcharged compared to other customers; notes that Ofgem's measures will prevent the very worst differentials of up to £500 but considers that the new proposals do not go far enough as online direct debit prices will still be lower than prepayment meter prices; congratulates the National Housing Federation on championing the cause of some of the most vulnerable people on low incomes; and calls on the Government and Ofgem to ensure that extra charges to prepay customers are ended immediately. |
| 167 | KERRIE WOOLTORTON AND THE MENTAL CAPACITY ACT | 23:11:09 |
| Jim Dobbin | | Miss Ann Widdecombe | | Ann Winterton | | Mr David Crausby | | Geraldine Smith | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| That this House records with deep regret the tragic death of Kerrie Wooltorton, who attempted suicide by swallowing anti-freeze and handed a letter to hospital staff stating that she did not want to be saved; notes the great distress of her parents who informed doctors that she was suffering from a mental disorder causing bouts of severe depression and begged that she should be resuscitated; further notes they were informed that the staff were frightened to do so because under the Mental Capacity Act they could be charged with assault; further notes that 26-year-old Kerrie died the following day and that many hon. Members wish to offer their deep sympathies to her parents in their grief; recalls that civil servants responsible for drafting the Bill, Government officials and hon. Members were repeatedly warned that this was exactly the kind of case which could result from the law; further notes that among those who gave warnings were John Finnis, Professor of Law and Legal Philosophy, Oxford University, Dr Phillip Howard, Consultant and Senior Lecturer in General and Emergency Medicine and Jamie Bogle, Barrister in Family Law; and urges the Government to ensure that now that hon. Members have had an opportunity to see the results of the relative clauses in the Act, they should be allowed a review to consider the manner of its working and whether it requires amending. |
| 168 | RESPONSES TO JOB APPLICATIONS | 23:11:09 |
| Dr Ashok Kumar | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Gordon Prentice |
| | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House recognises the extremely demoralising situation in which people, especially young people, are put when they cannot secure a job; further notes that this situation is augmented when people apply for jobs and do not even receive an acknowledgement of an application or notification of final appointment; and believes that employers should be legally compelled to contact all applicants both to acknowledge receipt of application and again after selection has been made to notify applicants whether they have been successful. |
| 171 | MERCHANT SHIPPING (S.I., 2009, No. 1371) | 23:11:09 |
| Mr David Cameron | | Mrs Theresa Villiers | | Mr Julian Brazier | | Mr Robert Goodwill | | Stephen Hammond | | Mr Patrick McLoughlin |
| That the Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1371), dated 8 June 2009, a copy of which was laid before this House on 10 June, in the previous Session of Parliament, be revoked. |
| 172 | RECALL OF HON. MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS | 23:11:09 |
| David Howarth | | Chris Huhne | | Mr David Heath | | Jo Swinson | | Sarah Teather | | Dr Vincent Cable |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr James Plaskitt | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Lorely Burt |
| That this House believes that where an hon. Member has been duly determined seriously to have broken the rules of the House, with the result that the hon. Member has been suspended from the service of the House for a period greater than one week, or where an hon. Member has been convicted of a criminal offence that relates to his or her service in the House, the electors of the hon. Member's constituency should have the right to petition that the seat be vacated and a by-election called. |
| 173 | MEDIA COVERAGE OF PEOPLE WITH DISFIGUREMENT | 23:11:09 |
| Roger Berry | | Peter Luff | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House welcomes the appearance of a person with a facial disfigurement as a newsreader on national television in the week commencing 23 November 2009; congratulates Channel Five Broadcasting Limited for this decision; and calls on all broadcasters to increase the visibility of people with unusual faces in everyday roles on television and to commit to adopt new guidelines, recommended by Changing Faces, for fairer and more balanced media coverage of people with disfigurement. |
| 174 | MEMORIAL TO RUGBY LEAGUE WAR VETERANS | 23:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Paul Rowen | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr James Clappison | | Jim Dobbin | | Greg Mulholland |
| | Mr David Drew | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes the number of rugby league players who died while serving their country; in particular notes the efforts of former Hull player Jack Harrison who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic efforts during the First World War; pays tribute to many other players who have served in the military; further notes that participation in rugby league amongst the armed forces continues to grow; and calls on the Rugby Football League to fund the erection of a dedicated memorial to all those players who served in the armed forces and died whilst on active service at the national memorial arboretum. |
| 175 | FOOD AND DRINK EXPORTS | 23:11:09 |
| David Taylor | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | John McDonnell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mr Elliot Morley | John Thurso | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House praises the efforts of UK food and drink exporters to keep building their overseas sales in what are very challenging international trading conditions; welcomes the data published by the Food and Drink Federation showing that food and drink exports were worth £4.82 billion in the first six months of 2009, up 10 per cent. in value terms on the year before; but notes with concern that many international competitors are benefiting from state-provided insurance cover; and urges the Government to extend its trade credit insurance scheme beyond the end of 2009 and to support an international scheme to ensure that UK exporters can compete on a level playing field. |
| 177 | PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE AND LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION | 23:11:09 |
| Dr Brian Iddon | | Mr Colin Breed | | Dr Richard Taylor | | Dr Ashok Kumar | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr Ian Taylor |
| That this House supports the Circulation Foundation's efforts to raise awareness of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the growing lower limb amputation rate in the UK; notes that over 100,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year and that PAD is often a precursor for heart failure or stroke; recognises that vascular specialists often see patients when little can be done to save their leg; further recognises that the UK has one of the lowest revascularisation rates in legs across Europe; and urges the Department of Health to encourage local vascular networks to agree network-wide protocols for the identification, referral, investigation and treatment of people with peripheral arterial disease. |
| 178 | SPORTING LISTED EVENTS | 23:11:09 |
| Mr John Grogan | | Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan | | Miss Anne Begg | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House urges the Government to support the recommendations of the Davies Committee that the following events be added to the list of the Crown jewels of sport which must be offered to free-to-air television at a fair and reasonable price, namely the Ashes, the football qualifying matches of the home nations in the home nation concerned, Six Nations rugby in Wales, the Open Golf Championship, the Rugby Union World Cup and the Wimbledon tennis tournament; supports the views of the British Olympic Association and the Rugby Football League respectively that the Winter Olympics and the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final should be retained on the list; notes that Deloitte in a report prepared for BSkyB commented on the positive relationship between free-to-air exposure and sponsorship income and that the marketing director of npower has hinted that having the Ashes back on free-to-air television may persuade the company to continue sponsorship beyond its present deals; and further notes that given that all major sports are recipients of substantial sums of public and Lottery money to fund their grassroots, the great national and international sporting events which unite the nation should be freely available on television to inspire all whatever their age or their income. |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | David Simpson | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House applauds the work of SARDA Lakes who specialise in training and using dogs for the search and rescue of lost or injured persons in mountainous areas; recognises that through their affiliation with the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association they make up an essential part of this rescue team and do vital work in saving lives; congratulates them on the many people they have rescued over the 40 years they have been operating; and urges them to continue their good work in making mountains and hills safe for all to enjoy. |
| 180 | CUMBRIA FLOODS | 24:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House wishes to thank the emergency services for all their hard work, dedication and commitment as they responded to the appalling floods in Cumbria last week; commends the police, fire service, RNLI, Mountain Rescue Service, Bay Search and Rescue and everyone who was involved in the operation; further wishes to thank the local media in Cumbria for the vital assistance they provided; offers its support and sympathy to people whose homes and businesses have been devastated by the floods; and calls on the Government to provide aid and practical assistance to people who have been affected and to commit to invest in flood prevention measures as a matter of urgency. |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House recognises the excellent work of the charity Orbis which provides medical assistance to people in developing countries with sight problems; applauds the work of the dedicated team of volunteer nurses and doctors who make this life-changing work possible; and further recognises the generosity of those who support this charity to enable these eye operations to take place so the individuals concerned can gain independence and transform their lives. |
| 182 | DEMENTIA CARE IN HOSPITALS | 24:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House welcomes the publication of the Alzheimer's Society report Counting the cost: Care for people with dementia on hospital wards, which highlights unacceptable variations in dementia care provided in hospitals; notes that people with dementia over 65 years of age are currently using up to one quarter of hospital beds at any one time; further notes that people with dementia stay far longer in hospital than other people admitted for the same procedure; further notes that this is having a detrimental impact on the health of people with dementia as well as placing financial pressure on the NHS; further notes that over half of nurses responding to the Alzheimer's Society survey said they haven't received any work-based development or learning opportunities in dementia care; calls on the Government to provide strong leadership on workforce development, in particular by bringing together all the relevant bodies to reach agreement on the core competencies required in dementia care; and urges the Government to press on primary care trusts the need to implement the recommendations in the National Dementia Strategy for England on improved quality of care in general hospitals. |
| 183 | LOW VALUE PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS | 24:11:09 |
| David Taylor | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House is concerned at Ministry of Justice proposals to change court rules such that chartered physiotherapists will no longer be eligible to act as medico-legal expert witnesses in court cases where individuals have been involved in Low-Value Personal Injury Road Traffic Accidents (LVPI RTAs); notes that physiotherapy professionals are experts in this field, specialising in musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, dealing on a daily basis with injuries of the type produced by such LVPI RTAs; believes that physiotherapy professionals are well-qualified to produce a diagnosis and prognosis which will assist courts and parties to determine a quantum in these cases; supports the Physio First campaign of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; and urges the Ministry of Justice to withdraw the proposed rule changes. |
| 184 | TEXT MESSAGING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House welcomes the introduction of a pilot scheme allowing people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired to contact blue light emergency services by sending a SMS text message to 999; notes that the pilot scheme is of significant help to people who may have difficulties using a telephone to contact the emergency services; further notes that the scheme makes the help and assistance of the UK's excellent and very hardworking emergency services easily accessible to those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired; congratulates the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the communications companies for their work on the pilot; wishes the scheme success; and further hopes to see the introduction of a permanent SMS service as a result of this groundbreaking pilot scheme in order that people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired are able to contact the emergency services as a matter of course when necessary. |
| 185 | EX-SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN | 24:11:09 |
| Colin Challen | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Dr Hywel Francis | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Willie Rennie |
| 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. |
| 186 | LOCAL HOUSING ALLOWANCE | 24:11:09 |
| Sarah Teather | | Steve Webb | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mr Phil Willis | Mr John Grogan | Malcolm Bruce | | | David Howarth | Mr Andrew Pelling | Lorely Burt |
| That this House strongly opposes the Government's plan to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants where their rent is lower than the rate of the allowance; expresses alarm that this plan would see some of the poorest families in the country up to £780 a year worse off; believes that the withdrawal of excess payments would not result in savings for the Government because tenants would have no incentive to choose cheaper properties and landlords would simply raise their rent to the maximum amount of the allowance, thus transferring £15 a week from poorer families to private landlords; notes that these changes undermine the original objectives of local housing allowance which were to bring choice and fairness to the benefits system while combating poverty; and therefore calls on the Government to abandon its plan to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants. |
| 187 | BHOPAL DISASTER | 24:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House remembers with sadness and outrage the tragedy that took place in Bhopal, India, resulting from the leak of thousands of tonnes of chemicals in December 1984; admonishes the Indian government for its negligence in failing to clean up the chemical waste following the disaster; highlights with great sadness the thousands of lives lost directly after the leak and in the 20 years after and the 100,000 people continuing to suffer from health problems from contaminated water supplies and daily exposure to chemicals; and calls on the Indian government to act immediately to end this injustice and clean up the area so that local people can be free from this suffering and distress. |
| 190 | DOW CHEMICALS AND THE BHOPAL DISASTER | 24:11:09 |
| Dr Desmond Turner | | Bob Spink | | Paul Holmes | | Andrew George | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House regrets that a quarter of a century after the world's worst industrial massacre, the people of Bhopal remain in an endless cycle of suffering that has cast them in a perpetual state of victimhood and that, 25 years on, Dow Chemicals continues to express contempt for the rule of law by refusing to produce the prime accused in court or abide by the universal obligation of the polluter pays principle thereby denying those grievously harmed the remotest prospect of natural justice; further notes that as a direct consequence 25,000 people are daily, exposed to water heavily contaminated with volatile organic chemicals known to cause cancer, organ damage and birth deformities arising in a third generation of Bhopal victims; believes that ethical corporate governance is a prerequisite of international commerce today and until it is made to be accountable Dow Chemicals' culpable neglect of Bhopal creates a legacy of corporate impunity; and urges the EU to proactively engage the government of India through its Empowered Commission to set the agenda for a site contamination assessment of the former Union Carbide Corporation site in Bhopal City as a prelude to brokering an agreement to clean up the site 25 years after the disaster. |
| 191 | HIGH PAY COMMISSION | 24:11:09 |
| John Battle | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Gregory Campbell |
| That this House believes that the Government should establish a High Pay Commission to examine the effects of high pay on the economy and society; acknowledges that over the last 30 years median earners have seen incomes increase at less than the average while the super-rich including UK chief executive officers have seen their pay increase to 76 times that of the average worker; notes three main concerns over the effect of high pay in Britain: the link between excessive pay and the financial crash, the questionable link between economic performance and high pay and the social effects of inequality due to the increase of wealth concentrated at the top of society; and calls for a public inquiry to bring all of the facts, evidence and arguments into the public domain. |
| 192 | GROCERY MARKET OMBUDSMAN | 24:11:09 |
| Andrew George | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Colin Breed | | Peter Bottomley | | Hywel Williams | | Daniel Kawczynski |
| | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Andrew Pelling | Lorely Burt | | | Willie Rennie |
| That this House welcomes the Competition Commission's establishment of a strengthened Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) following its inquiry into the UK grocery market which found that 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; notes the Commission's recommendation that for the GSCOP to be effective it must be monitored and enforced by an independent ombudsman; is disappointed that the supermarkets affected have failed to agree voluntary undertakings to establish an ombudsman which offers the opportunity for independent verification of their commitment to the principles of fair trading; believes that the current recession has increased pressure on suppliers; further notes that UK supermarkets continue to report healthy profits from their grocery business; recognises that fair treatment of primary producers is crucial to achieving UK commitments to eradicating poverty in the developing world and guaranteeing food security for the UK; and calls on the Government to act on the considered recommendation of the Commission to introduce the neccessary legislation to establish the proposed ombudsman to protect the interests of suppliers and consumers alike. |
| 193 | SERVICES FOR SEVERELY DISABLED CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND THEIR CARERS | 24:11:09 |
| Andrew George | | Dr Hywel Francis | | Tony Baldry | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Mark Durkan | | Greg Mulholland |
| | Mr Mark Oaten | Mr Tim Yeo | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Willie Rennie |
| That this House wholeheartedly commends and supports the work of Michael and Henrietta Spink and the Henry Spink Foundation with regard to improving the services, and access to services, for severely disabled children, adults and their carers; has deep and profound sympathy for Henrietta and Michael Spink's personal plight as parents of two severely disabled children; sees them and the millions of other carers in the UK as quietly heroic; further supports Henrietta and Michael Spink's call, which is supported and being advocated by the Law Commission, for the creation of an independent Social Services Tribunal, which would follow the tribunal model in other sectors; further supports their call for the creation of an Ombudsman for Disability as is found in other European Union countries; further supports their call to reform local authority regulations so that local authority care assessments and support packages for children and adults become easily portable from one authority to another; further supports their campaign to encourage public and private leisure and entertainment facilities to admit the carers for severely disabled children and adults without additional charge; and calls on all relevant Government Ministers to bring forward proposals for the necessary changes in the law and regulations to enact these sensible, pragmatic, cost neutral reforms, that would genuinely improve the lives of thousands of carers for severely disabled children and adults across the UK, as soon as possible. |
| 194 | DEFORESTATION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVESTOCK | 24:11:09 |
| Andrew George | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Lynne Jones | | Tony Baldry |
| | Mr Elliot Morley | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that global livestock and animal feed production contributes 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. |
| 197 | CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR PENSIONERS | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Dr Ashok Kumar | | Jim Sheridan | | Mr Michael Clapham |
| | Mark Fisher | Martin Horwood | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House believes that additional payment of £60 to the Christmas Bonus has made a significant difference to the incomes of the poorest pensioners; notes that despite the current low level of inflation, increases in the costs of basic foodstuffs and in energy prices mean that the incomes of pensioners are being squeezed; further notes that Christmas is a particularly expensive time for all people, and especially pensioners; and calls on the Government to maintain the Christmas Bonus at the current level of £70 and to commit to increasing the payment in subsequent years in line with increases in the basic state pension. |
| 198 | NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Mark Todd | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mark Durkan | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House endorses the call by the Motor Neurone Disease Association for a national strategy for motor neurone disease (MND) and believes that such a strategy would lead to enhanced cost-effectiveness and good practice; supports the implementation of the National Service Framework for Long-Term Neurological Conditions; is dismayed that no official national clinical guidance or approach exists in relation to MND; notes the extreme cruelty of motor neurone disease, which dramatically curtails lives and traps an often healthy mind in a failing and incapacitated body; and further believes that a national strategy is urgently needed in order to address the inequity of access to best practice in care for people with MND and to ensure as high a quality of life as possible and dignity in death. |
| 199 | ENERGY EFFICIENT CIRCULATOR PUMPS | 24:11:09 |
| Mr David Anderson | | Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale |
| That this House welcomes the publication of the consultation document for Part L of the Building Regulations which includes circulator pumps for the first time with a minimum rating of Band C for both domestic and non-domestic properties; notes that there are an estimated 15 million stand-alone circulators on boilers in UK homes, of which 97 per cent. are Band D or below; recognises the significant carbon savings and reductions in energy consumption that could be achieved by installing an energy efficient circulator in Band C or above; congratulates British Gas and Eaga for already installing energy efficient circulators in Band C or above; considers that without a minimum Band C in the Building Regulations the work of contractors that recognise the importance of installing energy efficient pumps would be undermined; and recognises that having a minimum rating of Band C will help manufacturers in the UK prepare for the EuP Directive that will mean that only Band A circulator pumps will be sold from 1 January 2013 and A*, or their equivalents, from August 2015. |
| John McDonnell | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Robert N. Wareing |
| | Mr Robert Syms | Mr David Drew | Mr Fraser Kemp | | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House expresses its concern that Twinings intends to close down its North Shields plant, resulting in the loss of 263 jobs, and to shed 129 jobs from its Andover plant and move the majority of its production to Poland and China; notes that Twinings and its parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) remain hugely profitable, making in excess of £56 million; further notes the adverse impact that this decision will have on the local economies and people of North Shields and Andover; therefore calls on Twinings and ABF to reverse their decision and to maintain their plant in North Shields and full production in Andover; and calls on the Government to intervene as a matter of urgency to prevent such unnecessary loss of jobs in the UK. |
| 203 | NON-CHARGING ATMS | 24:11:09 |
| John Robertson | | Jim Sheridan | | Bob Russell | | Bob Spink | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George |
| | Miss Julie Kirkbride | Mr Don Touhig | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House expresses its concern at the proposals of high street banks to end non-charging cash machines; is concerned that this is a particular problem for people whose state benefits are paid into their bank accounts, and who are therefore charged simply for receiving their benefits; calls on the high street banks to guarantee the future of free withdrawal facilities, especially at ATMs in disadvantaged areas; and further calls on the Government to use their influence to dissuade the banking sector from a policy that is tantamount to collective punishment, and a tax on the poor who will take out small amounts of money on a frequent basis. |
| 204 | LEEDS REFUSE WORKERS' THREE MONTHS STRIKE AND CONDUCT OF LEEDS CITY COUNCIL | 24:11:09 |
| Colin Burgon | | Mr Dennis Skinner | | John Battle | | Mr Fabian Hamilton | | Kelvin Hopkins | | Jon Cruddas |
| | Mr Roger Godsiff | Mr Doug Henderson | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House congratulates the Leeds refuse workers who, after three months on strike, have defeated the plans of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative controlled Leeds City Council to impose pay cuts of up to 30 per cent. on this group of low paid workers; notes that the public of Leeds refused to be mobilised against the workers despite the frantic efforts of the council's public relations machine and the aggressive approach of the Liberal Democrats led by Councillor Richard Brett; is concerned that although the justice, fairness and dignity of the refuse workers' case was evident from day one, the Liberal Democrat leadership of the council, along with their Conservative allies, has taken three months to recognise it, thus ensuring unnecessary disruption for the citizens of Leeds; calls for a full audit of the cost of the dispute to be published; and pays tribute to the tremendous solidarity of those GMB and Unison members who refused to submit to the provocative behaviour of the council and who went on to achieve a great victory. |
| 205 | ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION DEVICES FOR SHEEP | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Roger Williams | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mark Williams |
| That this House recognises the economic and financial difficulties the sheep industry in the UK is facing; considers that sheep farming is a very important part of the social, environmental and economic fabric of rural areas of the UK; notes that the European Commission's proposals for the introduction of electronic identification devices for sheep in the UK is untimely; and further notes that the technology required for its successful operation is not fully developed, the equipment is costly and that there remain insurmountable, practical animal husbandry barriers to its successful introduction and operation in the UK and other EU member states. |
| 206 | BARNETT FORMULA | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Stephen Williams | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Mark Williams | | Alan Simpson |
| That this House notes with concern the findings of the Holtham Commission's first report which suggested that Wales is under-funded by £300 million every year under the Barnett Formula; further notes that the House of Lords Select Committee on the Barnett Formula has proposed the creation of a Funding Commission that would recommend the allocation of public monies on the basis of need; acknowledges that only a funding settlement based on need to replace the Barnett Formula can provide an equitable solution; and calls on the Government urgently to review the Barnett Formula with a view to replacing it with a needs-based assessment. |
| 208 | WELSH TRUST FOR PREVENTION OF ABUSE | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Roger Williams | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mark Williams |
| That this House, noting the innumerable lives scarred by physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse, welcomes the Welsh Trust for Prevention of Abuse's project Elders and Betters, a film targeting the abuse of the elderly both in their own homes and care homes in Wales, highlighting and identifying such abuse, teaching the elderly about their right to speak out without fear in the knowledge that they will be listened to and helped; and further notes that the project, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and match funded by UK Steel Enterprises, is to be made in a care home in Wales with residents, relatives and carers taking part, forming a trilogy with the Trust's acclaimed bilingual videos It's My Life and Bully Off, which targeted child abuse and bullying. |
| 209 | RATIFICATION OF UN CONVENTION ON PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Alan Simpson |
| | Mr Andrew Pelling | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes the Government's intention, as set out in the written Answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury of 21 October 2009, Official Report, column 1516W, to ratify the UN Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material; believes that the sections in the Convention on the protection of confidentiality of information could exclude the notification of emergency authorities, including local authorities, of prior notification of nuclear material being transported through their area of responsibility; further believes that the Government has not justified the provisions allowing member states to withdraw nuclear materials from the provisions of the Convention if it reasonably decides to do so; further believes the Government is misguided in not delaying ratification beyond the 21 sitting days allowed for under the Ponsonby Rule provisions; remains unconvinced that the appropriate committees of both Houses have scrutinised the text with evidence from witnesses from the Government; and therefore further believes ratification should still be held up until due scrutiny has taken place. |
| 210 | BROADLANDS ARCHIVES | 24:11:09 |
| Sandra Gidley | | Dr Julian Lewis | | Chris Huhne | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| That this House notes the decision of Lord Brabourne to sell off the Broadlands Archives; recognises the historical importance of the archives to Hampshire, England and the United Kingdom; further notes the considerable overseas interest in the archives, particularly in the material related to Lord Mountbatten and his time as the last Viceroy of India; commends the University of Southampton in its efforts to raise the £2.85 million needed to buy the archives; and calls on the Government to aid the University of Southampton in finding the necessary funds to ensure that the archives remain in the United Kingdom. |
| 211 | SHARING VIDEO FOOTAGE OF PARLIAMENT ONLINE | 24:11:09 |
| Jo Swinson | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Derek Wyatt | | Stephen Williams | | Mr Ronnie Campbell |
| | Tom Levitt | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House believes that the public's engagement with politics would be improved by wider viewing of proceedings in Parliament; congratulates the BBC on the launch of its excellent Democracy Live website, which enables members of the public to search for video clips of proceedings from the Houses of Parliament; welcomes recent changes to the licensing conditions for distributing video recordings of Parliamentary proceedings, which now allow hon. Members to upload such video clips to external searchable websites such as YouTube; notes that the Houses of Parliament are still the only legislative body in the UK which does not allow the electorate to share video footage of its proceedings on their own websites; further welcomes the Leader of the House's promise to look into this matter; and calls for the Parliamentary authorities to review the licensing conditions to allow members of the public to share video clips of Parliamentary proceedings on their own websites. |
| 214 | VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THE NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS RULE | 24:11:09 |
| Jo Swinson | | Lynne Featherstone | | Ms Katy Clark | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Peter Bottomley | | Sandra Gidley |
| | Mr David Chaytor | Mr Andrew Pelling | Lorely Burt |
| That this House commends the work of Amnesty International, the No Recourse to Public Funds campaign and the End Violence Against Women campaign; acknowledges that the current no recourse to public funds rule has a devastating effect on hundreds of women who are trapped in a cycle of abuse, unable to access basic levels of protection and support due to their immigration status; believes that the Government has a duty to protect the human rights of all women entering the UK regardless of immigration status, as stated in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); further acknowledges the recent Home Office pilot project, but recognises the need for a permanent solution for all women; and therefore calls on the Government to exempt women fleeing domestic violence from the no recourse to public funds rule, to grant women's refuges the funds they need to offer protection from violence to all women suffering abuse, and to launch an integrated strategy to counter violence against women so as to prevent contradictory policies undermining women's rights. |
| 215 | EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION | 24:11:09 |
| Keith Vaz | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Dr Hywel Francis | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House commends the work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission under the Chairmanship of Trevor Phillips; notes and applauds the efforts of the Commission in forcing the British National Party to accept that they should obey equality law; further notes that the use of power by the Commission to intervene in court proceedings, unveiling the fact that the gender gap in financial services is double that in the rest of the economy and proposing new measures to tackle this gap; and supports the Commission's campaign for the Heyday Case which has led to a Government review of the mandatory age of retirement. |
| 216 | EXCISE DUTY ON WINE | 24:11:09 |
| Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Greg Pope | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House urges the Chancellor to remove the 8 per cent. duty increase on wine imposed in the Budget to offset the reduction in value added tax (VAT); notes that failure to do so will result in the wine trade being hit by two similar tax increases when VAT returns to 17.5 per cent. in January 2010; further notes that wine duty has risen 20 per cent. since March 2008 and that this has worsened conditions for the UK wine trade, which is already suffering from a challenging economic situation and unfavourable exchange rates; and further urges the Chancellor to support this important sector. |
| 217 | VALUE ADDED TAX AND TOURISM | 24:11:09 |
| Janet Anderson | | Bob Russell | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Angus MacNeil | | Andrew George | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House values the key role of the UK tourism sector in helping the UK to emerge from recession; recognises its role in providing jobs in areas with high levels of unemployment; notes that the German and French governments have recently taken action to assist their tourism sectors by implementing targeted reductions of value added tax (VAT) with Germany cutting VAT on hotel accommodation to seven per cent. and France cutting VAT on restaurant food to five per cent.; further notes that France has for many years enjoyed a reduced rate of VAT on visitor attractions of 5.5 per cent.; acknowledges the research by Graham Watson and Mike Nevin which shows that a targeted VAT reduction on accommodation and attractions in the UK would result in the creation of 23,000 new jobs and additional revenue to the Exchequer of £600 million a year; believes such measures would be an important tool to assist the recovery from economic recession; and urges the Government to give urgent consideration to similar targeted reductions in VAT in the UK. |
| 218 | INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING COMMISSION AND NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY | 24:11:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Mark Durkan | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Dai Davies | | Mr Ronnie Campbell |
| | Mr David Chaytor | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that new draft National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation, as published on 9 November 2009, concludes its section on radioactive waste management with the remarkable assertion, at paragraph 3.8.20, that `Having considered this issue, the Government is satisfied that effective arrangements will exist to manage and dispose of the waste that will be produced from new nuclear power stations. As a result the IPC (the Infrastructure Planning Commission) need not consider this question'; considers the implication that the most contentious aspect of new nuclear power is not even going to be examined by the new IPC is democratically unacceptable and will lead to bad public policy; further notes that on the same date an explanatory leaflet distributed by the IPC to Ministers states: `The new IPC process will provide clearer and better opportunities for the public and local communities to get involved from an early stage in decisions that will affect them'; and requests that Ministers allow the IPC to scrutinise plans for radioactive waste management, storage and disposal. |
| 221 | VEDANTA RESOURCES PLC | 24:11:09 |
| Hywel Williams | | Mark Durkan | | David Taylor | | Alan Simpson | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Martin Caton |
| That this House notes the unethical practices of Indian-owned Vedanta Resources and its subsidiaries, including the destruction of the homes, culture and livelihood of the Kond adivasi tribal people and the devastating environmental impact of the companies' activities; condemns the long-term and continuing support provided by the Department for International Development for the company and its subsidiaries, including arranging their introduction to the UK Stock Exchange in December 2003 and their continuing support through various agencies including Building Partnership for Development; further notes that Vedanta Resources and their subsidiaries are on the Norwegian government's list of banned companies; and urges the UK Government to launch a thorough investigation into the support that the Department for International Development and other Government departments and sectors continue to give to Vedanta Resources and their subsidiaries. |
| 222 | SLOVAKIAN STATE LANGUAGE ACT | 24:11:09 |
| Hywel Williams | | Mark Durkan | | Stephen Williams | | David Taylor | | Mark Williams | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House expresses its disapproval of the introduction of the State Language Act in Slovakia which makes Slovak the mandatory language to be used by all civil servants including teachers and doctors, and means that Slovak will be the only language used in public spaces, including schools and hospitals; believes that this law fails to uphold the intention of bilingual and multilingual initiatives within the European Union and actively represses the Hungarian community in Slovakia through preventing public use of their language and culture; notes the recommendation of the Mercator European Research Centre for Multilingualism and Language Learning conference that language legislation should be enabling, not restrictive; and that it should include measures to increase the linguistic options of both individuals and language communities, in public administration services, education, and the media. |
| 223 | ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE (No. 2) | 24:11:09 |
| Hywel Williams | | Mark Williams | | Alan Simpson | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Mr Denis Murphy | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes with concern proposals raised in the Shaping the Future of Care Together green paper to abolish attendance allowance and disability living allowance; further notes that although care is devolved and the green paper relates to England only, these proposals have substantial implications for devolved governments; further notes that representatives of disability groups have expressed strong opposition to the imposition of changes to the present system; supports the retention of both attendance allowance and disability living allowance as benefits which allow disabled people to enjoy independent living and financial independence; and calls for the administration of these benefits to be devolved to Welsh Assembly Government Ministers. |
| 224 | SUPREME COURT RULING ON OVERDRAFT CHARGES | 25:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mark Durkan | | David Taylor | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Alan Meale | | Andrew George |
| That this House expresses deep concern at the Supreme Court's ruling in favour of the banks and a building society on overdraft charges; notes the earlier court rulings and the Office of Fair Trading's investigations in favour of customers; and therefore calls on the Government to intervene to ensure banks and building societies act honourably towards their customers. |
| As an Amendment to Bob Spink's proposed Motion (Supreme Court Ruling on Overdraft Charges): |
| Ann Winterton | | Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| Line 2, after `charges' insert `whilst recognising its correct interpretation of EU law as contained in Regulation 6(2) of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999, S.I., 1999, No. 2083'. |
| 226 | PURCHASE OF SEAFOOD BY PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATIONS | 25:11:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Martin Salter | | Lynne Jones | | Andrew George | | Mark Pritchard | | Andrew Stunell |
| | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House welcomes the success of the documentary film End of the Line in raising public awareness about the sustainability of global fish stocks and the implications of a world without enough fish; believes taxpayers' money should not be used to buy seafood in the public sector that is unsustainable; recognises the health benefits of eating shellfish and the importance of the shellfish industry to the UK seafood industry; and calls on the Government to prohibit public sector organisations from purchasing seafood included on the Marine Conservation Society's fish to avoid list and to require that all wild-caught seafood served in public sector organisations should be either Marine Stewardship Council-certified, or from stocks that meet the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. |
| 228 | UK YOUNG COMPETITORS FOR WORLD SKILLS | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Gordon Marsden | | Mr Barry Sheerman | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Ian McCartney |
| | Laura Moffatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House applauds the efforts of young people countrywide striving for selection in the next few months for Team UK competing in the 2011 World Skills competition being held in London; congratulates UK competitors at this year's World Skills championships in Calgary who brought back three gold and six bronze medals plus 14 medallions for excellence; and believes that participation by the UK's young people in skills competitions, such as the World Skills championship, plays a key part in galvanising support for all young people as they strive to show excellence in their skills, training and educational achievements. |
| 229 | LIVESTOCK AND CLIMATE CHANGE | 25:11:09 |
| Colin Challen | | Peter Bottomley [R] | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Alan Meale | | Janet Anderson |
| That this House welcomes the report from World Watch called Livestock and climate change: what if the key actors in climate change are cows, pigs and chickens?, which builds on the report published in 2006 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, Livestock's Long Shadow, both of which demonstrate that breeding livestock for human consumption contributes at least 18 per cent. of global greenhouse gas emissions and probably at lot more; therefore calls upon the Government to respond to these reports and incorporate an analysis of livestock greenhouse gas emissions in its climate change policy development; further calls upon the Government to introduce pro-vegetarian policies; and calls on the Climate Change Committee to consider how to address livestock emissions in its future advice to the Government. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 230 | WORLD HUNGER AND BIOFUELS | 25:11:09 |
| Dr Rudi Vis | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that the number of hungry and malnourished people has passed the one billion mark, in part because of rising food prices; further notes the comment by Oliver De Schutter, UN rapporteur on the right to food, that the November 2009 UN Food Summit declaration text omits to mention the diversion of arable land to biofuels, being a major contributor to rising food prices; further notes that several major scientific analyses indicate that first world incentives for liquid biofuels from crops are having a net negative effect on the environment, and that there is no practical mechanism known to rectify this; further notes that medical research is not promoted by placing medicines believed to cause net harm on unlimited sale; therefore seeks a radical reform of EU bioenergy policy so as to put hunger-abatement and environmental objectives first; and urges the Government to place a moratorium on the awarding of Renewables Obligation Certificates to UK power station projects using liquid biofuels from crop sources, which are currently proliferating. |
| 231 | ULTRA SOUND SCREENING FOR AORTIC ANEURYSMS | 25:11:09 |
| Andrew Mackinlay | | Mark Durkan | | Peter Bottomley | | David Taylor | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | John Cummings | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House expresses its dismay that the Department of Health does not know the number of hospitals as general practices providing ultra sound screening for aortic aneurysms; considers that this information should be held centrally in order to ensure that the enormous life-saving benefits of this technology can be planned and maximised; and deems that failure of the Department not to remedy this information deficit with immediate effect would be a serious abdication of responsibility and urges the Secretary of State to personally direct his Department in this regard. |
| 232 | PALM OIL AND DEFORESTATION | 25:11:09 |
| Dr Rudi Vis | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | David Taylor | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House recognises the manifold value of rainforests; notes that palm oil requires a humid equatorial climate to be profitable, hence the current collision between the expansion of oil palm plantations and rainforests, their communities, carbon stores and endangered wildlife such as orangutans; further notes remarks by Friends of the Earth International that sustainability certification of palm oil by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is no solution as it does not halt deforestation, it does not halt the expansion of damaging oil palm plantations and it does not benefit local communities; further notes that with high oil prices, palm oil growth for bioenergy poses a grave threat to rainforests around the tropics; therefore urges the Government and world community to make it a priority to stop expansion of palm oil monocultures and other industrial-scale farming and agroforestry onto rainforest land, in particular by acting to control consumption of the respective commodities; and to achieve an effective, equitable agreement to curb the loss of natural forest and carbon sinks, in a manner that ensures justice for forest peoples. |
| 233 | INLAND WATERWAYS AND FUNDING | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Bob Laxton [R] | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | David Taylor |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mark Fisher | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) | Anne Main | Tim Farron |
| That this House notes that the UK inland waterways are a national treasure which have significantly improved in recent years; shares the Government's view that the waterways nevertheless need new investment; further notes that nearly half of the money that British Waterways needs to maintain the network comes from its property portfolio; further notes that funding cuts in British Waterways' grant-in-aid from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs mean that the shortfall British Waterways faces in the money it needs to properly fund its waterways is increased to about £40 million; believes the inland waterways should be treated as a national park; supports the Save our System 2010 campaign launched by the Inland Waterways Association; and further notes that the funding shortfall should be reinstated and the property portfolio protected so that it can provide a secure funding stream to ensure that the inland waterways can continue to be enjoyed by millions in years to come. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 234 | PRODUCTION METHOD LABELLING ON PROCESSED FOODS CONTAINING EGG AND EGG DERIVATIVES | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Colin Breed | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Norman Baker | Mrs Janet Dean | Malcolm Bruce | | | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House believes that all food products containing egg and egg derivatives produced in the EU and imported food products from non-EU countries should be labelled as to production method in line with current labelling regulations for packs of shell eggs; welcomes the progress being made to improve the welfare of egg laying hens through the support of EU Directive 99/74/EC banning the conventional battery cage from 2012 across the EU; notes with concern that from 2012 UK egg production is forecast to diminish and that this deficit could be met by processed food companies importing eggs from non-EU egg farmers using conventional battery cage production methods; and therefore calls on the Government to make it a requirement for all processed food products containing egg derivatives sold in the UK to be labelled with the production method to allow consumers to make an informed choice. |
| 235 | DEPORTATION OF GLOUCESTER RESIDENTS ON ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Parmjit Dhanda | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Mike Weir | | Mr Martin Caton |
| | John Cummings | Martin Horwood |
| That this House views with concern the Israeli government's decision to refuse entry on arrival in Israel of the Friendship Café Group, visiting Israel as part of an interfaith visit by Gloucester residents; expresses its concern that groups like this, containing Muslim, Christian and those with Jewish roots on an harmonious visit should be refused entry without explanation and after rude and aggressive questioning by Israeli entry clearance staff; calls on the Foreign Secretary to take the matter up with the Israeli Embassy; and urges him to encourage interfaith visits to Israel which can enhance and improve relations between countries and their faiths. |
| Mr David Anderson | | Mr Michael Clapham | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | John Cummings |
| That this House notes that since its privatisation in 1997, the global mining giant Vale Inco has undermined health and safety standards in Brazil; further notes that it is also undermining health and safety standards in Canada, despite over $13 billion net profits in 2008; supports 3,500 mineworkers who are members of the United Steelworkers union and have been on strike in Canada since July; and supports the decision by LabourStart to launch the first ever global union Twitter petition campaign urging Chief Executive Officer Roger Agnelli to return to negotiations and make fair offers in Brazil and Canada. |
| 237 | EAST MIDLANDS MUSCLE GROUP | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Bob Laxton | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | David Taylor | | Mr Alan Meale | | Paul Holmes | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House welcomes the launch of the East Midlands Muscle Group; notes that the group is led by local families and people affected by muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions who will campaign to improve access to essential specialist care and support; is concerned to learn of the serious problems affecting the 4,000 people with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions living in East Midlands; further notes that access to multi-disciplinary specialist care improves overall health outcomes and survival for patients with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscual conditions; is deeply concerned that some patients are being denied access to multi-disciplinary specialist care; calls on the East Midlands Specialised Commissioning Group, local primary care trusts and the Strategic Health Authority to take forward a review of neuromuscular services to identify areas of best practice and gaps in NHS service provision; and praises the campaign led by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, local families, health professionals and experts in these conditions who will work together to fight for good access to clinically effective, first class, specialised neuromuscular services across the East Midlands region. |
| 238 | REPORTS OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN BURMA | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Alistair Carmichael | | Ann Clwyd | | Mr Edward Davey | | Julie Morgan | | Mr Michael Moore | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mark Fisher | Mr Bill Olner | | | Clare Short | Andrew Miller | Malcolm Bruce | | | Mrs Anne McGuire | Mr Roger Williams | John Thurso | | | Mr Dai Havard | Annette Brooke | Mark Williams | | | Ms Celia Barlow |
| That this House expresses severe concern at the escalating systematic human rights abuses being perpetrated against the people of Burma by the Junta military dictatorship; notes that there is well documented evidence over many years of widespread torture, forced displacement, sexual violence, extra-judicial killings and forced labour with civilians being deliberately targeted; further notes that these actions constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes; and calls on the Government to urge the United Nations to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these crimes in addition to supporting the International Labour Organisation's calls to refer the use of forced labour to the International Court of Justice. |
| 239 | LABELLING OF SHELL EGGS PRODUCED BY HENS IN ENRICHED CAGE SYSTEMS | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Colin Breed | | Peter Bottomley | | David Taylor | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| | Norman Baker | Mrs Janet Dean | Malcolm Bruce | | | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House believes that all eggs produced by hens in enriched cage systems should be labelled to differentiate them from eggs produced by other production systems; welcomes the progress being made to improve the welfare of egg laying hens through EU Directive 99/74/EC, banning the conventional battery cage from the EU by 2012, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' support for the introduction in EU marketing regulations of a code 4 for eggs produced by hens housed in enriched systems; notes that a significant proportion of UK farmers have invested in improved enriched cage production systems; and calls on the Government to introduce a code 4 to distinguish eggs produced by hens housed in enriched systems from those housed in conventional battery cages outside of the EU, to assist UK farmers. |
| 240 | PAYMENTS FOR WORKERS DAMAGED BY VACCINES | 25:11:09 |
| Ian Stewart | | Nick Ainger | | Mr David Anderson | | Janet Anderson | | John Austin | | Miss Anne Begg |
| | Mr David Chaytor | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House notes with concern the serious adverse reactions that some adults have suffered following receipt of the hepatitis B and other vaccines, which they were required to have as a condition of their employment; further notes that such adults include doctors, nurses, paramedics, medical technicians and other health service personnel together with specialist civil servants, social workers, prison officers, refuse collectors and other public sector workers; recognises the devastating effect such adverse reactions can have on the long-term health of the individual, in some cases leading to debilitation and early retirement and a significant loss of income; further notes that there is no clear and transparent system of support for such adults as they are not eligible to make a claim under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 and often have to fight for industrial disablement benefit; acknowledges that in the United States 146 hepatitis cases have been fully compensated out of 578 applicants; and calls on the Government to include all occupational vaccines on the approved list under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979, to provide for vaccine damage under the Industrial Injuries Scheme or establish a new scheme covering occupational vaccines for adults which includes all single and multiple vaccines and their component parts, and for the chosen scheme to protect all workers including those in training. |
| 241 | EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY AWARD | 25:11:09 |
| Nigel Griffiths | | Mark Lazarowicz | | Dr Gavin Strang | | Mr David Hamilton | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Ms Katy Clark | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates the achievement of Edinburgh Napier University in receiving the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for 2009, awarded biennially to reward universities and colleges that demonstrate work of a world-class standard of excellence; notes this award was made in recognition of the outstanding contribution to knowledge exchange made by the Building Performance Centre for innovative housing construction for environmental benefit and quality of life; and further notes that this recognition complements the world-leading classification awarded to the University's Architecture and Built Environment expertise during the Research Assessment Exercise 2008. |
| 242 | RIGHTS OF THOSE WITH PLEURAL PLAQUES | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Michael Clapham | | Jim Sheridan | | Mr David Anderson | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Stephen Hepburn | | Mrs Betty Williams |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Tom Levitt | Mr David Hamilton | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House accepts expert evidence that pleural plaques represent a change to the anatomy of the sufferer evidenced by the abnormal scarring caused by the permanent physical penetration of asbestos fibres; believes the Law Lords ruling that physiological damage as well as anatomical damage is necessary for an injury to constitute actionable damage is clearly inconsistent with other areas of personal injury; notes that many sufferers of the condition would receive compensation if the scarring was on the outside of the body; and calls on the Secretary of State for Justice to restore the status quo ante to allay the strong sense of injustice felt by sufferers who have sustained asbestos exposure through their employers' negligence and have been unable to proceed with a court action since the Law Lords decision of October 2007. |
| 243 | REVIEW OF RAIL FARE REGULATION | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Roger Godsiff | | Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that the UK has the highest train fares in Europe; further notes that the Government is cutting its financial contribution to rail and making passengers pay a greater share, and that this policy leads to fare increases on regulated and unregulated tickets in real terms every year, which will mean ticket price rises in real terms in 2010, even though there may be a nominal decrease in some tickets due to deflation; further notes that rail is a low carbon mode of transport; recognises that modal shift to public transport could achieve significant carbon reduction; and calls on the Government to review current rail fare regulation and policy, with a view to reducing fares to encourage more people to take the train instead of driving or flying. |
| 244 | RECOGNITION OF BANGLA AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED NATIONS | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Roger Godsiff | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Alan Meale | | Andrew George |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House welcomes the campaign initiated by the Bangladeshis in the United Kingdom to get Bangla, which is the fifth most spoken language in the world, recognised as an official language of the United Nations; and calls upon the Government to give its support to this proposal. |
| 245 | COMPETITION COMMISSION INVESTIGATION INTO ENERGY COMPANIES | 25:11:09 |
| Mr John Grogan | | John Battle | | Greg Clark | | Simon Hughes | | Mr Michael Clapham | | David Taylor |
| | Mr David Chaytor | Mr Andrew Pelling | Lorely Burt | | | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House calls for a Competition Commission investigation into the relationship between wholesale prices and retail prices offered to consumers by the Big Six energy suppliers, namely British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy, npower, Scottish and Southern and ScottishPower. |
| 246 | BLACKLISTING RUINS LIVES CAMPAIGNS | 25:11:09 |
| Mr Michael Clapham | | Colin Burgon | | Harry Cohen | | Mr David Hamilton | | Jim Sheridan | | Geraldine Smith |
| | Alan Keen | Mrs Janet Dean | Derek Twigg | | | Dr Hywel Francis | Colin Challen | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House is most concerned that blacklisting of trade unionists is an activity that still continues and welcomes the publication of the report, Ruined Lives, prepared by Professor Keith Ewing for the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians which was launched on 20 October 2009; and argues that the scope of the new regulations should be wider than outlawing blacklisting for trade union activities and that such an injustice should be a compensatable offence. |
| 247 | INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE | 25:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Andrew George | | Mr Martin Caton | | Jeremy Corbyn | | John Austin | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| That this House supports Turkey's application for membership of the EU; but is concerned about the welfare of thousands of Crypto-Armenians in Turkey; notes the substance of Geoffrey Robertson QC's legal opinion on the Armenian Genocide; calls for an independent inquiry into the revelations of that opinion; and urges the Government to acknowledge that the events which befell the Armenians and Assyrians of Turkey of 1915 amounted to genocide. |
| 248 | BRITISH FORCES POST OFFICE ENDURING FREE POST SERVICE | 25:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Paul Murphy | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House recognises the importance of the British Forces Post Office (BFPO), Enduring Free Post Service to the families of armed forces personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan; notes that this service is regarded as invaluable and represents a considerable financial saving to the families concerned; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure the Enduring Free Post Service is maintained for the lifetime of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| 249 | UNITED NATIONS CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN | 25:11:09 |
| Ms Katy Clark | | Ms Diane Abbott | | Mrs Linda Riordan | | Jo Swinson | | Emily Thornberry | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Malcolm Bruce | Dr William McCrea | | | Dr Hywel Francis | Annette Brooke | Lorely Burt | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House expresses deep concern that, according to UNIFEM, up to 70 per cent. of women worldwide will experience sexual or physical violence from men in their lifetime; notes that a concerted international effort is required to combat this problem; and welcomes the United Nations Campaign to End Violence Against Women which seeks to achieve the adoption and enforcement of national legislation in line with international human rights standards, the adoption and implementation of multi-sectoral national action plans, the establishment of data collection and analysis systems, the establishment of national and/or local awareness-raising campaigns and systematic efforts to address sexual violence in conflict situations in all countries by 2015. |
| 250 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES | 25:11:09 |
| Ms Katy Clark | | Keith Vaz | | John McDonnell | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Dr William McCrea | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House expresses serious concern for the welfare of Jonas Joseph Tronqued Burgos, who has been missing since 28 April 2009; is deeply troubled at reports that Mr Burgos was last seen being bundled into a van by four armed men and a woman outside a restaurant in Quezon City; notes that the plate number of the vehicle concerned, TAB 194, was traced to a vehicle in the custody of the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; further notes Mr Burgos has a history of campaigning for peasant rights in the Philippines; fully supports the campaign for his immediate release led by his mother, Dr Edita Burgos; and calls on the Government to lend every assistance possible to the campaign and to press the Philippines Government for a proper investigation into the disappearance of Jonas Burgos and for his immediate release. |
| 251 | CIVIL SERVICE COMPENSATION SCHEME | 25:11:09 |
| Ms Katy Clark | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | John McDonnell | | Jim Cousins | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Derek Wyatt | Ms Diane Abbott | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mr Bill Olner | Mr Paul Murphy | Dr Hywel Francis | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House recognises the essential work done by civil servants across all Government departments; notes that without the dedication and professionalism of civil servants Government would be unable to function effectively; therefore expresses deep concern at proposed changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme published by the Cabinet Office that would leave many civil servants worse off in the event of voluntary or compulsory redundancy; is further concerned that such a change could lead to civil servants losing over 50 per cent. of their redundancy entitlement; believes that the Government should be looking to protect those who have given loyal service over a large number of years during these difficult times; and urges the Government urgently to re-examine these disappointing and unfair proposals before they are implemented. |
| 252 | PAY PRACTICES IN THE UK MARITIME SECTOR | 25:11:09 |
| Gwyn Prosser | | John McDonnell | | Albert Owen | | Ms Katy Clark | | Mr Neil Gerrard | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| | Stephen Pound | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Elliot Morley | | | Mr Paul Murphy | Dr Hywel Francis | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House is appalled that in the 21st century, ships, including ferry services, which regularly trade on fixed routes between UK ports and between the UK and Europe, are allowed to pay poverty wages substantially below the minimum wage to non-UK seafarers including rates as little as £1.50 per hour; is dismayed that this super-exploitation is legal as a result of a loophole in race relations legislation which allows non-UK seafarers to be paid rates below agreed UK levels and also due to the exemption of seafarers from the national minimum wage; urges the Government to bring forward amendments to the Equality Bill to outlaw this discrimination and to reform race relations legislation as it applies to seafarers; and calls on the Government to bring forward immediately legislation to ensure that non-UK seafarers are protected by the provisions of the national minimum wage. |
| 253 | LABELLING OF PRODUCTS MADE FROM ANIMAL FUR | 25:11:09 |
| Judy Mallaber | | Dr Nick Palmer | | Norman Baker | | Mr David Amess | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Martin Linton |
| | Derek Wyatt | Stephen Pound | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mr Bill Olner | Tom Levitt | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that recent advances in the quality and look of fake fur make it difficult for many consumers to tell the difference between items made with fake fur and those made with real fur; further notes that there is now evidence that consumers are confused and some may be purchasing items made or trimmed with real fur believing the fur to be fake; further notes that some people are allergic to real fur; further notes that a law has been introduced in the states of New York, Delaware and New Jersey requiring all real fur and fur-trimmed clothing to carry a label; and calls on the Government to introduce, as soon as possible and as a measure to protect consumers, legislative proposals for a labelling order requiring all other real fur on sale to carry a label that clearly states that the item is made using real animal fur, whether or not it has been dyed and the country of origin of the fur. |
| 254 | CITIZEN'S CHARGE ON BANK BONUSES AND DIVIDENDS | 25:11:09 |
| Jim Cousins | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr Michael Meacher | | John McDonnell | | Mr Frank Field | | Frank Dobson |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Dr William McCrea | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that almost every bank based in the United Kingdom required liquidity and other support from the British authorities in 2008 and, in addition, a number required public ownership or capital support; further notes the public concern about the contrast between this welfare dependency of the British financial sector and the recent return to big bonus payouts; calls on the Government to introduce a citizen's charge or people's dividend on the growth of the bonus pools and dividend payouts in the institutions that receive public support; and believes that this citizen's charge should start in the 2009-10 financial year. |
| 255 | ARRHYTHMIA ALLIANCE KNOW YOUR PULSE INITIATIVE | 25:11:09 |
| David Taylor | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Dr William McCrea | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House congratulates the Arrhythmia Alliance on the Know Your Pulse initiative to raise awareness amongst the public and the NHS of this basic health check to detect potentially fatal heart rhythm disorders; notes that in 2007 the Department of Health estimated that there were over 600,000 patients in England living with the most common arrhythmia atrial fibrillation which is also a leading cause of stroke; recalls that 150,000 strokes occur every year in the UK, a rate of 410 per day and 17 per hour, and that 15 per cent. of strokes are associated with atrial fibrillation alone; recognises that people with an arrhythmia have a dramatically reduced quality of life and face serious long-term health complications including stroke or sudden death; supports efforts to increase the rate of early identification of heart rhythm disorders in order to reduce premature deaths from heartbeat disorders and other co-morbidities, such as heart failure and hypertension; believes that the most effective way to achieve this is to place pulse checks on a procedural par with weight and blood pressure tests in GP surgeries; and calls on the Government to facilitate an improvement in the timely and effective diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. |
| 256 | VISTEON PENSIONERS | 26:11:09 |
| Mrs Siān C. James | | Dr Hywel Francis | | Mr Andrew Love | | Bob Spink | | Mark Williams | | Mr Michael Clapham |
| | Kate Hoey | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Alan Williams | | | Dr William McCrea | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark | | | Mr Jim Devine | Willie Rennie |
| That this House congratulates the former Visteon employees in their successful campaign with support from hon. Members and Unite the union for their right to redundancy pay, after Visteon closed their UK factories; notes that the company pension scheme is now being investigated by the Pensions Regulator and despite support from the Pension Protection Fund some former Visteon employees are facing cuts in their pensions by more than 40 per cent.; further notes with great concern that these employees are former Ford employees who were guaranteed Ford terms and conditions, including pensions, for life before they were transferred to Visteon; and calls on Ford and Visteon to ensure that this commitment is honoured. |
| 257 | REMUTUALISATION OF BANKS | 26:11:09 |
| Mr Ian McCartney | | Paul Holmes | | John Battle | | Lynne Jones | | David Taylor | | Dr Brian Iddon |
| | Derek Wyatt | Alan Keen | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mrs Louise Ellman | Dr William McCrea | | | Dr Hywel Francis | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House congratulates the success of mutuals and recognises their important contribution to the UK's economy; notes that one in three citizens is a member of at least one mutual and the sector has continued to grow despite the dramatic economic backdrop; further notes that overall revenues now exceed £98 billion which have risen from £84 billion in 2008 and mutuals are going from strength to strength and provide security and choice for consumers; further notes there are currently 52 mutual building societies in the UK and collectively they have 22 million members, employ 42,300 people and have assets of £341 billion; further notes that it is the ethics of the principle of mutuality that make these institutions so strong; further notes that not one building society survived as an independent British Bank after the regrettable demutualisations of the 1980s and 1990s; and urges the Government, as part of the restructuring of the banking sector, to enable and encourage the remutualisation of a significant part of it, including the conventional banking side of Northern Rock. |
| 258 | SAVE THE CHEQUE CAMPAIGN | 26:11:09 |
| Mark Hunter | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Mr Lee Scott | | Angela Watkinson | | Mr Russell Brown |
| | Dr Vincent Cable | Mr James Gray | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Paul Murphy | Dr William McCrea | | | Mr Hugo Swire | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes with concern that high street banks are planning to stop accepting cheques despite protest from consumer groups and businesses; further notes that nearly four million cheques are still being written each day and that many people still prefer to pay for goods and services in this way; is concerned that the Payments Council which represents the major banks will vote in December 2009 on whether or not to scrap the cheque as a method of payment; believes many people, particularly the elderly, would be inconvenienced as a result; calls upon the Government to remind the banks that they exist to serve customers and not the other way round; and urges the banks to reconsider their proposals to abolish the cheque. |
| 259 | EAST COAST MAIN LINE | 26:11:09 |
| Colin Challen | | John Battle | | Lynne Jones | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Colin Burgon | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Ms Katy Clark |
| That this House notes with concern the timetable the Government has set for the refranchising of East Coast main line services; and calls on the Government to maintain the East Coast main line in public ownership so that the quality, effectiveness and competitiveness of public ownership can be fully demonstrated. |
| 260 | FUEL POVERTY IN WALES | 26:11:09 |
| Jenny Willott | | Mark Williams | | Mr Roger Williams | | Lembit Öpik | | Bob Spink | | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House is deeply concerned that fuel poverty now affects 320,000 Welsh households, 90,000 more than last year; is shocked that the number of excess winter deaths in Wales rose by 67 per cent. between 2007-08 and 2008-09; notes that the target to eradicate fuel poverty amongst vulnerable groups will be missed; believes that the target to eradicate fuel poverty in Wales by 2018 will be missed unless efforts are substantially improved; fully supports the Fuel Poverty Charter for Wales; and calls on the Assembly and Westminster Government to implement the Charter's proposals in full so that Wales can be set on the path to eradicate fuel poverty once and for all. |
| 261 | THALIDOMIDE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | 26:11:09 |
| Mr Martin Caton | | Andrew George | | Bob Spink | | David Taylor | | Bob Russell | | Dr Desmond Turner |
| 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 unforseen 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. |
| 263 | SMOKE DETECTORS AND FIRE SAFETY | 26:11:09 |
| Mr Adrian Sanders | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Lynne Jones | | Glenda Jackson |
| | Mr James Gray | Mrs Janet Dean | Tom Levitt | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | | | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling | David Simpson | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that the number of fatalities from fires in dwellings has fallen by a quarter since 1999 but that there are still on average five fatalities a week; further notes with concern that approximately one quarter of social homes do not have smoke alarms; calls on the Government to strengthen legislation to ensure all local authority and registered social landlord properties have mains-powered smoke detectors on each floor and that privately-rented properties have working smoke detectors at the commencement of any tenancy agreement; and further calls on the Government to increase its efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of smoke detectors. |
| 264 | SUPPORT FOR ADULTS WITH COMMUNICATION NEEDS | 26:11:09 |
| Roger Berry | | Mr David Amess | | Mrs Betty Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Paul Holmes | | John Battle |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Tom Levitt | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Peter Atkinson | | | Dr William McCrea | Dr Hywel Francis | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House welcomes the formation of the Adult Communication Coalition England (ACCE) which aims to ensure that all adults and older people get the speech, language and communication support, equipment and services they need to communicate effectively; notes the ACCE estimate that at least 1.5 million people in England have Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN); is concerned that at present many adults with SLCN do not receive the communication support, equipment and services they need and that wide geographical variations exist in access to these services, particularly during transition into adulthood; recognises that without such support adults with SLCN are being denied opportunities to live independently and fulfil their social and economic potential; regrets the low priority given to the needs of adults with SLCN at a national level and the lack of a comprehensive national strategy for adult SLCN; and calls on the Government urgently to undertake an audit to assess the current state of services for adults with SLCN and to identify the barriers they face in getting their needs identified and met. |
| 265 | WORLD VISION CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY | 26:11:09 |
| Dr Phyllis Starkey | | Peter Bottomley | | John Battle | | Andrew George | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Lynne Jones |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Dr William McCrea | Dr Hywel Francis | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark | David Simpson | | | Mr Jim Devine | Willie Rennie |
| That this House welcomes the World Vision campaign highlighting the 8.8 million children under the age of five years who die every year from preventable causes; recognises that the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on child and maternal health are those where progress is most behind; notes that 30 countries account for four out of five of the preventable deaths of children under the age of five years; and calls on the UK Government to prioritise spending in those countries, to support governments of low-income countries by developing and funding national plans that prioritise cost-effective preventative interventions such as breast feeding, hand washing and immunisation, and to publish action plans setting out how the money already allocated for health will be spent to ensure that it reaches those most in need. |
| 266 | NUCLEAR TEST VETERANS | 26:11:09 |
| Mr John Baron | | Mr Frank Field | | Sir Malcolm Rifkind | | Bob Russell | | Dr Richard Taylor | | Hywel Williams |
| | Mr Nigel Waterson | Mr Michael Mates | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Mark Fisher | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Dr William McCrea | Annette Brooke | Colin Challen | | | Angela Watkinson | Mr Andrew Pelling | Ms Katy Clark | | | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that servicemen involved in the British nuclear weapons tests programme in the Pacific and Australia in the 1950s and 1960s have subsequently attributed cases of ill-health to their exposure to radiation during and after the tests; welcomes the conclusions of the cross-party inquiry into nuclear test veterans chaired by the hon. Member for Billericay and the former hon. Member for Norwich North; believes that far greater recognition of this problem and co-operation with veterans is required from the Ministry of Defence; notes the Government's promise to undertake a health analysis on veterans' offspring, made on 22 October 2008 to the hon. Member for Billericay; further notes the promise made by the Government in April 2009 to follow up last year's New Zealand chromosome study on veterans, with results delivered to a reasonable timescale; acknowledges that since these promises were given very little progress has been made in determining the design, parameters and terms of reference of these studies; and therefore calls on the Government to speed up the process and thereby honour its duty of care towards this loyal and dignified group of servicemen and their families. |
| 267 | BOTOX TESTING ON ANIMALS | 26:11:09 |
| Annette Brooke | | Mr David Drew | | Paul Holmes | | John Battle | | Andrew George | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Colin Challen |
| That this House welcomes The Ugly Truth investigation by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection into the testing of botox on animals; notes that despite being licensed as a medical treatment, botox is regularly used for cosmetic purposes; is concerned that thousands of animals are still used each year for botox testing despite an alternative being available which does not involve the use of animals; further notes that the LD50 test is used which is classed by the Home Office as being of substantial severity; and calls on the Home Office to ensure that the LD50 test is not used in botox tests undertaken for cosmetic purposes. |
| 268 | USED COOKING OIL AND BIO-DIESEL DUTY DIFFERENTIAL | 26:11:09 |
| David Taylor | | John Battle | | Paddy Tipping | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Malcolm Bruce | Dr William McCrea | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Mrs Linda Riordan | Lorely Burt | Ms Katy Clark | | | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House recognises that bio-diesel manufactured from used cooking oil is one of the most sustainable renewable fuels available in the UK; notes the Government's decision to abolish the 20 pence per litre duty differential for bio-diesel in 2010 which will make bio-diesel significantly more expensive than road fossil fuels and therefore commercially unviable; accepts that the tax differential will mean that bio-diesel will become more expensive than fossil-based road fuels with the largest price effect felt by high-blend users such as 3663, McDonalds and Morrisons, that use between 20 and 100 per cent. bio-diesel blends for their vehicle fleets and forecourts and are likely to decide that bio-diesel is no longer commercially viable; recognises that this is likely to destroy the domestic industry for bio-diesel made from used cooking oil; agrees with the UK Sustainable Bio-diesel Alliance that this decision runs counter to the Government's commitment on the role sustainable bio-fuels can play in meeting domestic greenhouse gas and renewable energy targets and the recommendations made in the 2008 Gallagher Review; understands that whilst incentives for bio-diesel for road use provided through the Renewable Transport Obligation are welcome, they do not on their own provide sufficient support for the industry; and calls on the Government to look into ways in which the most sustainable forms of bio-diesel, most notably those made from used cooking oil, continue to receive the necessary support once the differential has been abolished in April 2010. |
| 269 | TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE | 26:11:09 |
| Sir Nicholas Winterton [R] | | Peter Bottomley | | Derek Conway | | Bob Spink [R] | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Ann Winterton |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mr Michael Clapham | Dr William McCrea |
| That this House regrets that Taiwan has been excluded from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its related mechanisms; notes that the 15th Session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties will convene between 7 and 18 December 2009; recognises that global warming is not restricted by political boundaries and there should be no gap or weak spot in the collective international network to reduce global carbon emissions and combat climate change; contends that the UNFCCC should not ignore the basic rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan; applauds Taiwan's voluntary declaration of reduction goals and schedules for greenhouse gases and its commitment to assuming its responsibilities and obligations as part of the global community; welcomes the WHO Director General's recent invitation for Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly as an observer; further notes that Paragraph 6 of Article 7 of the UNFCCC states that observers to UN specialised agencies may be represented as observers at sessions of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties; observes that other non-UN member states were likewise made parties to the UNFCCC; strongly encourages the Government to support Taiwan's justifiable bid for UNFCCC observer status in order to institutionalise Taiwan's meaningful participation in UNFCCC activities; and urges the UNFCCC Executive Secretary to invite Taiwan as an observer. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 270 | MOBILITY SCOOTERS | 26:11:09 |
| Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones | | Bob Spink | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Dai Davies |
| | Stephen Pound | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Dr William McCrea | Paul Holmes | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | David Simpson | Willie Rennie |
| That this House notes that disabled adults are twice as likely to live in low-income households as non-disabled adults, and that two-fifths of adults aged from 45 to 65 who are living on below-average incomes have a limiting, long-standing illness or disability; further notes that the reclassification of mobility scooters by the European Union means that they are now subject to a 10 per cent. import tax and that this will in many cases be passed on to the consumer; therefore believes that this reclassification amounts to a tax on the disabled; and joins the charity Elizabeth Finn Care in calling on the Government to press the EU to reverse this decision or introduce measures in the UK that will ensure that the hardship of some of the most financially vulnerable people in society is not increased. |
| 271 | ADNAN HAJIZADE AND EMIN MILLI | 26:11:09 |
| Paul Flynn | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mr Mike Weir | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Stephen Pound | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Paul Holmes | Ms Katy Clark | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House condemns the imprisonment of young Azerbaijani bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, and agrees with Amnesty International and other human rights groups, that their detention and trial were politically motivated and aimed at stifling freedom of speech in Azerbaijan; joins Amnesty International in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Adnan and Emin; and appeals to President Ilham Aliev to fulfil Azerbaijan's commitments, as a member of the Council of Europe and OSCE to respect human rights and freedom of speech, and end the persecution of opposition activists and independent media. |
| 272 | MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES | 26:11:09 |
| Nick Harvey | | Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger | | Mr Colin Breed | | Norman Lamb | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley |
| | Matthew Taylor | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Michael Clapham | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | David Simpson |
| That this House recognises that myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders affecting approximately 10,000 people in the UK in which around one third of cases progress to acute leukaemia, and that more than 90 per cent. of patients are over the age of 50 when they are diagnosed; notes that there is a lack of awareness of MDS by the public, Parliament and non-specialist healthcare professionals; welcomes the work of the MDS UK Patient Support Group in raising the profile of the conditions and in providing support to patients; calls for continued progress to be made in the diagnosis and treatment of MDS patients across the UK to minimise regional inequality of access to essential, specialist treatment and care through the NHS; calls for clinically effective pharmaceutical interventions to be made available to patients; and recommends that updated national guidelines for treatment are developed. |
| 273 | VOTE CRUELTY FREE COALITION | 26:11:09 |
| Dr Nick Palmer | | Mr David Amess | | Norman Baker | | Peter Bottomley | | David Taylor | | Bob Spink |
| | Stephen Pound | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Paul Holmes | Annette Brooke | Colin Challen | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House welcomes Vote Cruelty Free, a new coalition working to ensure the political process reflects concern for animal protection; notes that the coalition comprises the BUAV, Compassion in World Farming, International Fund for Animal Welfare, League Against Cruel Sports and Respect for Animals and covers a wide range of animal welfare issues; and calls on all prospective Parliamentary candidates to support this coalition. |
| 274 | LEAGUE FOOTBALL EDUCATION | 26:11:09 |
| Mr Clive Betts | | Alan Keen | | Mr Richard Caborn | | Joan Walley | | John Cummings | | Mr Dai Davies |
| | Derek Wyatt | Lynne Jones | Mr Michael Clapham | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House congratulates League Football Education on its success in promoting and enhancing educational and vocational training for apprentice footballers aged 16 to 18 at the 72 Football League clubs; further congratulates the organisation in achieving framework achievements of 91 per cent., 20 per cent. above the national average in the sector; notes that as one of the leaders in work-based learning in the UK it has provided a vital contribution to the national skills agenda; and encourages funding partners to support the work of the organisation going forward. |
| 275 | GRITTING OF ROADS IN ROSSENDALE | 26:11:09 |
| Janet Anderson | | Mr Greg Pope | | Mr Gordon Prentice | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mrs Ann Cryer |
| That this House recalls the treacherous conditions last winter on many roads in the Rossendale Valley, particularly those on steep hills; remembers what a stalwart job the then Labour-controlled Lancashire County Council did to ensure that adequate gritting took place and salt and grit bins were provided in those areas where they were needed most; notes how this responsible attitude contrasts starkly with the decision of now Conservative-controlled Lancashire County Council to withdraw these services from the many unadopted roads in Rossendale; considers this will cause undue hardship and inconvenience, not to say risk, especially to the young and the elderly; and calls on the Minister for Local Government to intervene urgently with the council to urge them to reconsider this ill-judged removal of essential services from the people of Rossendale. |
| 276 | FEED-IN TARIFFS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY | 26:11:09 |
| Alan Simpson | | Mr Peter Ainsworth | | Simon Hughes | | Mark Durkan | | Adam Price | | Mr Mike Weir |
| | Laura Moffatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Clare Short | | | Lynne Jones | Tom Levitt | Mr Michael Clapham | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Malcolm Bruce | Paul Holmes | | | Annette Brooke | Colin Challen | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Ms Katy Clark | Mr Jim Devine | Willie Rennie |
| That this House underlines the importance of demonstrating a strong commitment to policies to tackle climate change in the run-up to negotiations in Copenhagen; reiterates its welcome for the inclusion of feed-in tariff legislation in the Energy Act 2008; notes the strong support for this legislation from a wide variety of businesses, environmental, consumer and fuel poverty groups, trades unions, farmers and social landlords; further notes the huge technical potential for sub-5 megawatt decentralised renewable technologies to deliver up to one-third of the UK's electricity; believes that decentralised energy could make a considerable contribution to cutting the UK's carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty, increasing energy security and generating green jobs; is concerned that tariffs proposed for the Government's Clean Energy Cashback scheme will mean decentralised renewable electricity is anticipated to contribute just two per cent. of the UK's electricity by 2020; considers this to be a wholly inadequate level of ambition; supports calls for a suitably ambitious tariff which delivers a higher return on investment; and calls on the Government to revise the proposed tariffs substantially to increase the level of ambition of the scheme and offer communities, households and businesses a significant role in driving UK renewable energy deployment. |
| 277 | FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION | 30:11:09 |
| Mr Mike Hancock | | Mr David Drew | | Bob Russell | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| | Stephen Pound | Lynne Jones | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Paul Holmes | Annette Brooke | Colin Challen | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that section 24 of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as recently interpreted by the Court of Appeal, prevents the Home Office from disclosing all information, however trivial, about animal experiments that researchers want kept secret; agrees that information such as researchers' names and addresses and genuinely confidential information should remain secret; but believes that the public should be able to access all other information, including what is being done to the animals and for what purpose; and calls on the Government to repeal section 24 using its powers under section 75 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. |
| 278 | MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS IN ENGLAND AND WALES | 30:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Kate Hoey | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Mr David Drew |
| | Lynne Jones | Tom Levitt | Mr Michael Clapham | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | Paul Holmes | | | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling | David Simpson |
| That this House pays tribute to the outstanding work done by mountain rescue teams during the recent floods in Cumbria; acknowledges the dedication and skills of mountain rescue volunteers; is appalled that mountain rescue teams have to pay value added tax and vehicle excise duty on life-saving equipment; notes that these taxes cost the volunteer mountain rescue teams up to £200,000 a year; further notes that other emergency services do not have to pay taxes on equivalent equipment; is concerned that the Government has not yet announced an intention to exempt mountain rescue teams from these taxes despite indications from the European Commission that the UK could well be permitted to do so; and calls on the Government to announce such an exemption immediately. |
| 279 | SUPERMARKET LABELLING OF MEAT | 30:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Mr David Drew |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Dr William McCrea | Paul Holmes | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House notes that currently most fresh meat produce is labelled to include its source of origin; expresses concern that a similar standard of labelling is not as strictly enforced in the case of ready meals which include processed meat; notes that it is permissible for meat and other products to be produced overseas, imported to the UK and processed then labelled as British; further notes that actual British meat is of a very high standard, and that British animal welfare standards are some of the best in the world; regrets that those purchasing products containing processed meat may be misled by incorrect labelling into purchasing an inferior product; calls on the Government to close this loophole; and further calls on supermarkets and other retailers to exceed the prescription of law by ensuring that only produce that has been produced in the United Kingdom is labelled as British. |
| 280 | LOVE LOCAL CAMPAIGN | 30:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Dai Davies | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Lynne Jones | | Dr William McCrea |
| That this House praises the Love Local campaign launched by the Westmorland Gazette aimed at supporting and promoting the local community; recognises that, given the economic climate, communities have a responsibility to work together by creating a vibrant sense of community and promoting local businesses; highlights the Love Local campaign as an excellent example of how to encourage independent retailers to promote themselves and become an integral part of the local community; and urges other communities to follow suit by adopting their own Love Local campaign to support smaller businesses and energise the local economy. |
| 281 | CUMBRIA FLOOD RECOVERY FUND | 30:11:09 |
| Tim Farron | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Martin Caton | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House warmly welcomes the setting up of the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund by the Cumbria Community Foundation to support individuals, families and voluntary groups who have suffered in the flooding since 19 November 2009; recognises that this further demonstrates the wonderful community spirit and generosity of the people of Cumbria to help each other during such traumatic times; and urges people across the country to give to this worthy cause to help those devastated by the floods to rebuild their lives. |
| 282 | NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING COMPETITION | 30:11:09 |
| Mr Barry Sheerman | | Mr Phil Willis | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Bob Spink | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | Mr Michael Clapham | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | Annette Brooke | | | Mr Andrew Pelling |
| That this House welcomes the high quality of entries for the National Science and Engineering Competition, which closed on 30 October 2009; applauds the innovation, imagination and understanding of all the young people who entered the competition; appreciates the dedication of teachers in inspiring these young people; looks forward to The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair in Manchester on 11 to 13 March 2010 which will include the finals of the competition; and welcomes the continuing support of hon. Members from across the House for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. |
| 283 | BANK PENALTY CHARGES | 30:11:09 |
| Dr Vincent Cable | | John Thurso | | Mr Jeremy Browne | | Mr Colin Breed | | Andrew Stunell | | Kate Hoey |
| | Norman Baker | Derek Wyatt | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Lynne Jones | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea | | | Paul Holmes | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | Mr Jim Devine | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House notes the judgement of the Supreme Court that banks and building societies were legally entitled to charge penalty fees for unauthorised overdrafts; further notes that the Supreme Court conclusion was not a judgement on the fairness of such charges; condemns the disproportionate penalty charges levied on customers by banks and building societies; welcomes the Office of Fair Trading's assessment that such charges are unfair; urges the Office of Fair Trading to continue to pursue this issue using the other powers available to it; calls on the British Bankers' Association to amend the Banking Code to make explicit the industry's principles on service charges; further calls on the Government to review existing pricing structures; and further calls on banks and building societies to voluntarily refund unfair and disproportionate penalty charges. |
| 284 | FORMATION OF THE INDEPENDENT PUB CONFEDERATION | 30:11:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Bob Russell | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Alan Meale |
| | Mark Fisher | Mr Michael Clapham | Paul Holmes | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House welcomes the formation of the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Campaign for Real Ale, the British Institute of Innkeepers, Justice for Licensees, Unite, the Society of Independent Brewers, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Guild of Master Victuallers and Fair Pint; recognises the need for strong representation for the pub industry during the economic downturn; is concerned at the large number of pubs closing or threatened with closure; supports the IPC in seeking to secure a fair deal for pubs; further supports the IPC's manifesto proposals; believes lessees should be given the option of going free of the beer supply tie; considers that if beer is to be tied all other product ties should be severely restricted with lessees being offered a guest beer sourced direct from a small brewer; further supports the establishment of new rent valuation guidelines; further supports the principle that the tied tenant should be no financially worse off than a tenant who is free of tie; further supports the establishment of minimum standards of fairness, disclosure and transparency in the handling of rent negotiations; calls for the setting up of representative lessee forums to discuss issues of concern and to have a legally binding code of practice; and further calls for the removal of the Amusement With Prizes tie from all long leases. |
| 285 | TAX STATUS OF HON. MEMBERS | 30:11:09 |
| Mr Gordon Prentice | | David Taylor | | Mr Virendra Sharma | | John Mann | | Mr Ken Purchase | | Mr David Crausby |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | Tom Levitt | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | | Paul Holmes | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr David Laws | | | Mrs Linda Riordan | Mr Jim Devine | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House believes it to be wholly inappropriate for hon. Members to have non-domiciled tax status; and calls on the Government to bring forward amendments to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill to make non-domiciled persons ineligible for membership of the House. |
| 286 | KICK BULLYING INTO TOUCH CAMPAIGN | 30:11:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mr David Drew | | Stephen Williams |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | | | Keith Vaz | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Dr William McCrea | Annette Brooke | Mr Andrew Pelling | | | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House commends and supports Premier Rugby's Kick Bullying Into Touch campaign which teaches young people about how to deal with bullying; praises the Guinness Premiership clubs for nominating ambassadors such as Paul Sackey, Ugo Monye and England captain Steve Borthwick as inspirational figures to represent the campaign; further praises the programme reaching over 17,000 children to date, with 97 per cent. of children taking part having a better understanding of different forms of bullying; and hopes that the programme will continue to flourish and help young people to kick bullying into touch. |
| 287 | HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY | 30:11:09 |
| Bob Spink | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Peter Bottomley | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Martin Caton | | Glenda Jackson |
| | Laura Moffatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | | | Keith Vaz | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Dr William McCrea | Dr Hywel Francis | | | Annette Brooke | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that 27 January marks Holocaust Memorial Day, the day on which Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death camp was liberated; recognises the significance of this day and the importance of remembering and learning from the past especially when there are those who seek to denigrate and deny its significance; further notes that the theme for January 2010 Legacy of Hope, is inspired by the testimony of holocaust and genocide survivors and teaches the lessons of hope for a safer, inclusive society; condemns denial and denigration of the memory of the Holocaust, as well as of the 1915 Genocide of Armenians and Assyrians in Turkey, and the politics of hatred and division which led to these events; commends the Holocaust Educational Trust for its work in educating on the horrors of the past, reaching thousands of students across the country; and calls on hon. Members to respect Holocaust Memorial Day and to ensure that the Holocaust, the 1915 Genocide and modern atrocities such as the 1988 Anfal Genocide are never forgotten. |
| 289 | RUGBY LEAGUE STATUE AT WEMBLEY STADIUM | 30:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Derek Wyatt | | Jim Dobbin | | Paul Rowen | | Greg Mulholland | | Mr Nigel Evans |
| | Mr David Drew | Mrs Ann Cryer | Dr William McCrea |
| That this House notes the lack of any statue dedicated to rugby league at Wembley Stadium; recognises the important historical link between the game of rugby league and Wembley Stadium, the venue which has hosted the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final since 1929; welcomes the recognition given to other sports in the form of statues and artwork at the new Wembley Stadium; believes that rugby league should also be recognised, given the long and successful Challenge Cup Final tradition; and calls on the Rugby Football League to work with the Wembley authorities to ensure that a statue is erected at the site. |
| 291 | FINANCIAL INCLUSION BILL CO-OPERATIVE PARTY CAMPAIGN | 30:11:09 |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jim Dobbin | | Mr David Crausby | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr Alan Meale | | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | | Dr William McCrea | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House supports the campaign by the Co-operative Party for the introduction of a Financial Inclusion Bill; believes that everyone should have equal access to routine financial services and credit within their means; agrees that it is wrong for banks to be able to cherry-pick the most profitable customers, putting the most vulnerable in society at a severe disadvantage; recognises the unprecedented support given by the Government to the financial sector; calls on the Government to support the introduction of measures based on the successful Community Reinvestment Act in the US to ensure that all financial institutions engage with, design services for, and invest in people from all geographical areas and income levels; and further believes that such a move would help ensure that banks do more to put people before profits. |
| 292 | 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1949 | 30:11:09 |
| Alun Michael | | Mr Clive Betts | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Mr Roger Williams | | Mr Stephen Crabb | | Lembit Öpik |
| | Derek Wyatt | Mr James Gray | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Lynne Jones | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Frank Cook | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mr Paul Murphy | | | Dr William McCrea | Dr Hywel Francis | Paul Holmes | | | Mr Andrew Pelling | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House welcomes the 60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; notes that this visionary piece of legislation led to the creation of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Nature Reserves, the Public Rights of Way framework and National Trails; sees the UK's protected landscapes as assets to the nation which enjoy widespread public support and are enjoyed by millions of visitors, as well as being home to farmers and local communities who are vital to sustaining them; celebrates the diversity of the UK's protected landscapes from upland to lowland areas across Great Britain; notes that they provide havens for wildlife, stunning scenery, cultural heritage, opportunities for promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being, a playground for learning for all ages, and are exemplars in sustainable farming, links between urban and rural communities, demonstrators of sustainable development in practice, stores for carbon and places that promote solutions to the challenges of climate change; welcomes the significant achievements obtained from those working in partnership in these areas; acknowledges that the benefits of protected landscapes are enduring though the challenges they face have changed over time; welcomes the support that successive Governments and all political parties have given to protected landscapes; and urges future administrations to demonstrate continuing support for these special areas. |
| 293 | BISPHENOL A AND BABY BOTTLES | 30:11:09 |
| Mr Roger Williams | | Annette Brooke | | Charlotte Atkins | | Julie Morgan | | Mr Andrew Pelling | | Bob Russell |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Dr William McCrea | Paul Holmes | | | Mrs Linda Riordan | David Simpson |
| That this House notes that baby bottles made using the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) are still being sold in the UK despite being withdrawn in Canada and the US; further notes that hundreds of studies and evaluations published in peer-reviewed medical journals have raised consistent and compelling concerns about the potential impact of low level exposure of this chemical; further notes that the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal in March 2009 published a letter from 36 of the world's leading scientific experts on BPA, criticising the European Food Safety Authority for relying predominantly on two outdated studies funded by the chemicals industry and saying that its decisions based on this logic are misguided and will result in continued risk to public health from exposure to BPA; further notes that babies in their first year have not fully developed the ability to clear BPA from their bodies as quickly as adults; welcomes the No More BPA campaign led by Breast Cancer UK and whose call is backed by NCT, formerly the National Childbirth Trust, UNISON, the Women's Environmental Network, the Cancer Prevention and Education Society and CHEM Trust; and urges the Government to introduce regulations to end the use of BPA in baby bottles sold in the UK. |
| 294 | SEAFARERS' PAY AND THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE | 30:11:09 |
| Gwyn Prosser | | Mr Edward O'Hara | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Eric Illsley | | Ms Diane Abbott | | John McDonnell |
| | Stephen Pound | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Michael Meacher | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Dr William McCrea | | | Dr Hywel Francis | Mrs Linda Riordan | David Simpson | | | Mr Jim Devine | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House notes that for a number of years discussions have been taking place in both Houses with the Government and the Trades Union Congress to seek to resolve the horrendous situation whereby ferry company owners and others, whose vessels regularly trade on fixed routes between UK ports, are allowed to pay poverty wages substantially below the minimum wage to non-UK seafarers, including rates as little as £2.00 per hour; welcomes the fact that a number of hon. Members have supported amendments to the Equality Bill which would close this loophole; is therefore dismayed that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is blocking these amendments by claiming that applying the minimum wage on ferries that trade solely between UK ports could mean the UK is in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; further notes that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has adopted this position despite the independent legal advice to the contrary provided to the RMT union and also the advice of the International Transport Workers Federation; is appalled that in the 21st century the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is effectively allowing the continuation of poverty wages to continue in UK waters; and calls on the Foreign Secretary immediately to publish the legal advice on which the Department's blocking action is based and allow the advice to be subject to urgent independent scrutiny. |
| 295 | STATUTORY REGISTRATION OF HERBALISTS | 30:11:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Martin Caton | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Andrew George |
| | Glenda Jackson | Lynne Jones | Keith Vaz | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Dr William McCrea | David Simpson | | | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House notes that certain herbal medicines, including Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Kampo, traditional Tibetan medicine, Unani Tibb and western herbal medicine, may be effectively outlawed in the UK by the EU unless statutory regulation is introduced by the Government before April 2011, and that the Government's recent consultation on this issue has concluded; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward promptly a statutory system for registering and regulating herbalists, acupuncturists and practitioners of other traditional medicine systems to meet the EU requirements and thus ensure that patients continue to have access to the full range of traditional medicines they are currently able to receive. |
| 296 | TAX RELIEF CAP | 30:11:09 |
| Harry Cohen | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Martin Caton | | David Taylor | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mark Durkan |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mr Jim Devine | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House supports the proposal of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) that the amount of tax relief that can be claimed by those earning more than £100,000 a year be capped at £5,000; notes that this would raise £10 billion a year; further notes the recent TUC analysis which revealed that just 3.1 per cent. of the taxpayer population receive 31 per cent. of all tax relief, averaging £18,750 a year each; and considers that this tax relief cap on the better off is a fairer way to reduce the deficit than cuts in public services or tax rises affecting poorer households. |
| 297 | FABIAN SOCIETY STUDY ON POVERTY | 30:11:09 |
| Bob Russell | | Mr David Drew | | Stephen Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan | | Mr Dai Davies |
| | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | Keith Vaz | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House registers its dismay that a study by the Fabian Society and the Webb Memorial Trust shows that 20 per cent. of the population is living in poverty; notes with deep concern the comment of Mr Tim Horton, Research Director for the Fabian Society, that inequality in Britain today, on some measures, is at its highest since the early 1960s; congratulates the Fabian Society and Webb Memorial Trust on their report The Solidarity Society, which is the result of a two-year study; and urges the Government to pursue policies to eradicate poverty and promote equality. |
| 298 | MINIMUM STANDARDS CAMPAIGN AND THE BETTING INDUSTRY | 30:11:09 |
| Dr Hywel Francis [R] | | Mr Ian Cawsey | | Mr Paul Murphy | | Mr Don Touhig | | Ian Stewart | | Mr Dai Havard |
| | Glenda Jackson | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mr Jim Devine | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House welcomes the Community Union Minimum Standards Campaign in the betting industry which includes lone working, known as single staffing, training to deal with conflict issues and risk assessments of betting shops; recognises the dangers of single staffing in particular; and calls on all companies running betting shops to ensure that single staffing is not in place and that health and safety are of prime concern. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 299 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN WESTERN SAHARA | 1:12:09 |
| Mr David Drew | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Mark Williams | | Peter Bottomley | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Mike Hancock |
| | David Lepper | Stephen Pound | Mr Andrew Dismore | | | Lynne Jones | David Taylor | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Stephen Williams |
| That this House condemns the escalating wave of human rights violations against Saharawi human rights activists in October and November 2009 including the detention of seven prominent Saharawi prisoners of conscience; expresses concern over the intention of the Moroccan authorities to try these prisoners in a military court where they may face the death penalty; is dismayed over the expulsion of prominent Saharawi human rights activist and winner of the 2009 Civil Courage Award Aminatou Haider from Western Sahara; notes with concern the actions of the Moroccan authorities to prevent Saharawi human rights activists from travelling abroad; expresses regret over the arrests of several Saharawi human rights defenders; opposes the regressive and systemic trend of human rights violations against those who peacefully resist the occupation of Western Sahara; and calls on the Government to condemn these actions and urge the United Nations to implement human rights monitoring in the region. |
| 300 | BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CLOSURE OF CORE REPOSITORIES AND SAMPLES STORES | 1:12:09 |
| Nigel Griffiths | | Mr David Hamilton | | Mark Lazarowicz | | Dr Gavin Strang | | Peter Bottomley | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House notes with concern the sudden and unexpected decision by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to close the world-leading offshore and onshore hydrocarbon core repositories and samples stores in Gilmerton and Loanhead; deplores the decision to ignore the concerns of the many active academic and business stakeholders; notes that there currently is no alternative facility for these unique samples; rejects claims that this closure will result in efficiency savings or better science; further notes the announcement of the closure by BGS management in August 2009, a month before the consultant's report was finalised and published; further notes that there is no evidence of any geoscientist or other academic user, service user or oil industry stakeholder being consulted about this move and that the consultative group had no representative of the sponsoring Department, nor any scientist or other member who could credibly represent the views of Gilmerton and Loanhead's main users; regrets that BGS management cannot guarantee the safe transport of the historic core stock; further notes that the management dispensed with 24/7 security two years ago; further notes the failure of the Tribal Group to consider all options and the discrepancies between its report and its final recommendations; calls on the Government to halt the closure plan; and calls on the National Audit Office to carry out an assessment of the costs and a value-for-money audit of these proposals. |
| 301 | AVAILABILITY OF VITAMINS AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS | 1:12:09 |
| Mike Penning | | Mr Andrew Lansley | | Chris Grayling | | Mr Stephen O'Brien | | Mr Mark Prisk | | Mr David Amess |
| | Mr David Drew | Mr James Gray | Lynne Jones | | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | David Simpson |
| That this House notes that the United Kingdom has a rigorous and effective regime for permitting onto the market under the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 only such higher potency vitamin and mineral supplements as are accepted as safe and appropriately labelled by the Food Standards Agency; is deeply concerned that the future availability of such safe and popular supplements is now threatened by the current process through which the European Union is proposing pan-European limits on the potencies of such supplements under the provisions of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive; further notes that successive Ministers have pledged to defend the future availability of such supplements but have not yet secured sufficient support from other member states and the European Commission to ensure that the policy objectives of the Government can be achieved; and calls on the Prime Minister personally to intervene with the President of the European Commission to ensure that the right of UK manufacturers to produce, specialist retailers to sell, and informed consumers to choose to buy such safe and popular supplements is not unacceptably curtailed through an unnecessarily restrictive interpretation of the legislation. |
| 302 | LAW ON ASSISTED SUICIDE | 1:12:09 |
| Miss Ann Widdecombe | | Ann Winterton | | David Taylor | | Sir Nicholas Winterton | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | Dr William McCrea |
| That this House notes the judgement of the Law Lords in the appeal of Debbie Purdy requiring that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) publish guidelines for those contemplating assisting another to commit suicide; further notes that in following the Law Lords, the DPP has produced a document informing people what to do to avoid prosecution; further notes that the DPP, like the Law Lords, states clearly that it is the function of Parliament, not the judiciary to make and amend legislation; considers that the guidelines override the will of Parliament; recalls that twice recently the House of Lords has rejected by a clear majority attempts to change the law on assisted suicide, the second time in July 2009 when a clause to introduce assisted suicide through the Coroners and Justice Bill was defeated by 191 votes to 141; further notes the comment of Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, a foremost human rights lawyer, that before prosecution for theft or grievous bodily harm, `we are not told how much we can steal...or how much injury we can inflict...'; further notes that through indicating to would-be offenders how best to avoid prosecution, the DPP will put the vulnerable at grave risk; and calls on the Government to require the withdrawal of the guidelines, leaving Parliament rather than the judiciary or unelected civil servants to consider whether to change the law, and making it clear to the judiciary that they are not permitted to override the supremacy of Parliament. |
| Mr Gordon Prentice | | Mrs Ann Cryer | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Drew | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Jim Devine |
| | Lynne Jones | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mrs Linda Riordan |
| That this House notes that Mr Andrew Stephenson, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Pendle, is using his Pendle Matters newspaper to urge people to shop local; regrets that Pendle Matters, which has been delivered free by Royal Mail to all 37,000 households in Pendle for the last three years, is printed in Guildford, Surrey; applauds Mr Stephenson's view that there are in Pendle many fantastic local independent retailers, offering great goods and services and that `if we don't use them we will lose them'; is bemused by Mr Stephenson's statement that he has been unable to find a printer in Burnley or in Pendle whose estimate is even close to what he is currently being charged; believes that the solution is for Mr Stephenson to disclose how much he pays for his publication and for him to invite all local printers to respond with better quality and price offers; further notes that there are over 20 printing companies in the Pendle and Burnley area; and invites Mr Stephenson to shop locally and to contact each one to get a quote. |
| 304 | ELECTRIC CINEMA IN BIRMINGHAM | 1:12:09 |
| Mr Tom Watson | | Mr Khalid Mahmood | | Richard Burden | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr Andrew Dismore | | Mr Gordon Prentice |
| | Lynne Jones | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House recognises the value of independent cinemas to the cultural and social life of local communities; celebrates the continued success of Britain's oldest working cinema, The Electric in Birmingham; notes that on 2 December 2009 a centenary celebration is taking place for the cinema that started life as a silent movie theatre, became a news theatre during the Second World War and succumbed to dereliction in 2003; further congratulates proprietor Mr Thomas Lawes who has lovingly restored the cinema to its former Art Deco glory whilst preparing it for the new age of digital content; and calls on the Government to confirm its support for independent cinemas which are a vital part of Britain's cultural film heritage. |
| 305 | EQUALISATION OF TARIFFS FOR GAS AND ELECTRICITY BILLS | 1:12:09 |
| Dr Ashok Kumar | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mark Durkan | | Andrew George | | Bob Russell |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Peter Bottomley | Glenda Jackson | | | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr Adrian Sanders | Mr David Drew | | | Mrs Janet Dean | David Taylor | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | John Cummings | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Dr William McCrea | | | Paul Holmes | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House believes that it is unacceptable that individuals and families using prepay meters pay more for their gas and electricity than anyone else and that is is morally wrong to charge the country's poorest citizens the most exorbitant rates; believes that gas and electricity companies should take immediate action to bring prepay meter prices into line with the national average; and calls on Ofgem to reconsider its implementation of regulatory guidelines on companies' charging practices. |
| 306 | FREE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH LONG-TERM CONDITIONS | 1:12:09 |
| Mr Neil Gerrard | | Peter Bottomley | | Andrew George | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Bob Spink |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Laura Moffatt | Stephen Pound | | | Glenda Jackson | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | Tom Levitt | | | David Taylor | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Gordon Prentice | | | John Cummings | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Dr William McCrea | | | Paul Holmes | Mr Gregory Campbell | Stephen Williams | | | Mrs Linda Riordan [R] | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House supports the Prescription Promise campaign in urging the Prime Minister to implement his promise, made in September 2008, to abolish prescription charges for people with long-term conditions as soon as possible; believes that timely access to appropriate medication is crucial in order to minimise the impact of living with a long-term condition for the individual and to minimise the cost of treating long-term conditions for the NHS; is therefore concerned that the recession has made it harder for large numbers of people with long-term conditions to pay for their prescriptions and that many are going without vital medicines; notes that the Government has identified savings from the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme of around £550 million per year from 2010, which will be more than sufficient to cover the £250-£350 million cost, estimated by the Department of Health, of implementing free prescriptions for people with long-term conditions; further notes with concern that Professor Ian Gilmore's review of prescription charges has not yet been published; and calls on the Government to publish this review and its own response as soon as possible. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 307 | FURNISHED HOLIDAY LETTINGS RULES | 1:12:09 |
| Janet Anderson | | Mrs Joan Humble | | Mr Nigel Evans | | Bob Spink | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Mr Gordon Prentice |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr James Gray | | | Robert Key | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Annette Brooke | Mr David Laws | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the 2009 Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular, resulting in a significant loss of jobs and damage to rural and seaside economies; further notes with concern the lack of any industry consultation on the repeal; and calls on the Government to conduct a full consultation and review of this policy change as soon as possible to ensure all affected parties have the opportunity to voice their concerns and to promote an understanding of and mitigate against any unintended consequences on tourism, especially in rural and seaside areas. |
| 308 | SECOND WORLD WAR MUNITIONS WORKERS AND THE SWYNNERTON ROSES | 1:12:09 |
| Mr Robert Flello | | Mark Fisher | | Joan Walley | | Paul Farrelly | | Harry Cohen | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Peter Bottomley | Glenda Jackson | | | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Lynne Jones | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | | Dr William McCrea | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House honours and gives thanks to the brave individuals who served in Britain's armed forces during the Second World War; acknowledges, also, the vital and often dangerous work carried out by the people who worked on the home front; welcomes efforts over recent years to give official recognition to such groups; notes with some concern the fact that munitions workers, such as those at Royal Ordnance Factory 55 Swynnerton, have received no such formal recognition; further notes that work in munitions factories was extremely dangerous and that many workers were killed or received serious injuries which continue to affect them to this day; and therefore urges the Government to formally recognise the contribution of former munitions factory workers as a matter of urgency. |
| 309 | ACTION ON EQUITABLE LIFE | 1:12:09 |
| Mr Robert Flello | | Harry Cohen | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mark Durkan | | Bob Spink | | Bob Russell |
| | Peter Bottomley [R] | Glenda Jackson | Mr Adrian Sanders | | | Mr David Drew | Mr James Gray | Mrs Janet Dean | | | Lynne Jones | David Taylor | Mrs Ann Cryer | | | John Cummings | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mr Gregory Campbell | | | Annette Brooke | Stephen Williams | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | David Simpson | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes the Parliamentary Ombudsman took the unusual step of using powers under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 to present Parliament with a further and final report on Equitable Life; further 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; believes that many losses at Equitable Life were due to poor investment decisions and that the Government should be responsible for compensation only for those resulting from maladministration; welcomes the formation of the All Party Group on Justice for Equitable Life Policyholders; further 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; urges the Government to take strong action to expedite matters and to set a date by which a final decision will be made; and recommends that the Government make interim payments to those who are in most desperate need of assistance and review all such cases once a final decision on a compensation scheme has been made. |
|
[R] Relevant interest declared |
| 310 | NETWORK RAIL BONUSES | 1:12:09 |
| John McDonnell | | Mrs Siān C. James | | Mr David Drew | | Ms Katy Clark | | Jim Cousins | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Glenda Jackson | Mr Andrew Dismore | Lynne Jones | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Gordon Prentice | John Cummings | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Dr William McCrea | Paul Holmes | | | Stephen Williams | Mrs Linda Riordan | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that Network Rail is funded in the region of £5 billion a year by the taxpayer; further notes that Network Rail has confirmed in its most recent interim results that it will lay off in the region of 1,500 rail maintenance workers and that Chief Executive Iain Coucher has confirmed to the Transport Select Committee that there will be compulsory redundancies; shares the concerns expressed by the unions that these job cuts will increase safety risks and the job losses should be reversed; is appalled that despite the proposed redundancies Network Rail directors continue to receive bonuses of over a million pounds; is concerned that this unfairness is funded by the taxpayer; and therefore calls on Network Rail directors to do the decent thing and at the next Network Rail Board meeting agree to pay back their bonuses with immediate effect. |
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mr David Crausby | | Jim Dobbin | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr Bob Laxton | | Jeremy Corbyn |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr David Drew | | | Mrs Janet Dean | Lynne Jones | David Taylor | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | John Cummings | Mr Ronnie Campbell | | | Dr William McCrea | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes that the current exemption from stamp duty on properties valued at £175,000 or less is due to expire on 31 December 2009; recognises the importance of the current exemption in helping stimulate the housing market which has witnessed rising prices for the past seven months; further notes the need to continue helping families and individuals to buy property in the current economic climate; and urges the Government to extend the stamp duty exemption in order to stimulate the housing market further and to help the economy grow in 2010. |
| 312 | BERLANTY AZZAM AND BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY | 1:12:09 |
| Mr Martin Caton | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mark Durkan | | Bob Russell | | Andrew George | | Mr David Drew |
| | David Lepper | Peter Bottomley | Martin Linton | | | Stephen Pound | Lynne Jones | Tom Levitt | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Gordon Prentice | John Cummings | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Albert Owen | Mrs Linda Riordan | | | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House congratulates Bethlehem University on its scheme to bring students from Gaza to the university to study; is shocked, however, to learn that one student, Ms Berlanty Azzam, who is in her fourth year majoring in business administration, was arrested by the Israeli military, blindfolded, handcuffed and transferred from Bethlehem to Gaza in the middle of the night; recognises that whilst the Israeli-controlled population registry lists Ms Azzam as residing in the Gaza Strip, she has lived in Bethlehem since 2005; calls on the Israeli authorities to allow her to complete her degree; and urges the Government to protest against the unjust Israeli policy that bans Palestinian residents of Gaza from studying in the West Bank. |
| 314 | DRAFT EUROPEAN STATEMENT ON EAST JERUSALEM | 1:12:09 |
| Martin Linton | | Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews | | Dr Phyllis Starkey | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mark Durkan | | Richard Burden |
| | David Lepper | Peter Bottomley | Glenda Jackson | | | Mr David Drew | Lynne Jones | Tom Levitt | | | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Gordon Prentice | John Cummings | | | Mr Ronnie Campbell | Mr Martin Caton | Mr Jim Hood | | | Mr Mohammad Sarwar | Anne Moffat | Mr Dai Havard | | | Albert Owen | Stephen Williams | Mr Andy Slaughter | | | Mrs Linda Riordan | Emily Thornberry |
| That this House supports the proposed statement by the Council of the European Union drafted by the Swedish Presidency calling for negotiations on a two-state solution leading to an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital; welcomes the statement's clear reiteration that settlements are illegal under international law, as are the separation barrier on occupied land and the demolition of homes; agrees that all three constitute an obstacle to peace by threatening to make a two-state solution impossible; and asks the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to endorse this document at the meeting in Brussels on 7 December 2009. |
| 315 | SILVER STREET AND BBC RADIO DRAMA | 1:12:09 |
| That this House is concerned at the proposed cut back in radio drama proposed for the West Midlands by the termination of the Asian radio network production Silver Street in March 2010; notes that the proposed replacement radio drama output will be a cut of 80 per cent. of the BBC's Asian network production in the West Midlands since 2004 and reduce the viability of the Birmingham Mailbox radio drama production site, as well as diminish opportunities for writers, technical staff and for lead roles for ethnic minority actors in the Midlands; believes that this action contravenes the commitments given by the BBC to the House, to take production outside the M25 at Charter Renewal, and to spread production to all the English regions and the nations; and calls on the BBC to rethink this proposal. |
| 317 | ULSTER OLYMPIAN SKATER | 1:12:09 |
| Mr Gregory Campbell | | Dr William McCrea | | The Reverend Ian Paisley | | Sammy Wilson | | Philip Davies | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle |
| | Lynne Jones | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mr Paul Murphy | | | David Simpson |
| That this House notes the outstanding ice skating achievements of Coleraine woman, Jenna McCorkell, in winning the British Senior Ice Skating Championships for a record breaking seventh time, and in qualifying, for the first time ever for a Northern Ireland ice skater, for the British and Northern Ireland team to compete in the forthcoming Olympic Games; commends her magnificent efforts thus far; and wishes her every success for Northern Ireland in the Vancouver Winter Olympics. |
| 318 | CHARITIES AND RECORDED MUSIC LICENCES | 1:12:09 |
| Tom Levitt | | Alun Michael | | Bob Russell | | Jeremy Corbyn | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Mark Durkan |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Andrew Dismore | Mr Adrian Sanders | | | Mr David Drew | Robert Key | Lynne Jones | | | David Taylor | Mrs Ann Cryer | Mrs Joan Humble | | | John Cummings | Mr Gregory Campbell | Mr Jim Devine |
| That this House notes the Government's decision to make charities and other not-for-profit organisations pay for a licence when they play recorded music in their own premises from April 2010; further notes the proposals would result in an unacceptable financial burden on the voluntary and community sector upwards of £20 million per annum; further notes the devastating impact that these proposals would have on local tea dances, youth clubs, coffee mornings, charity shops and others; and therefore calls on the Government to maintain the status quo and continue the current exemption for all charities and other not-for-profit organisations from this music licence regime. |
| 319 | DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS | 2:12:09 |
| That this House notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has failed to reject the findings of a report authored by Dr Alan Dangour and Dr Sharon Friel which states that UK meat consumption should be reduced by up to a third in order to prevent climate change; believes that if this were to happen it would have a devastating effect on British farming; further believes that it is the responsibility of DEFRA to promote and defend British farming interests; has lost confidence in the ability of the Department to serve British agriculture effectively; and calls on the Government to create a cabinet level department separate from the Environment with a Secretary of State whose role will be to defend British agriculture. |
| 320 | LISBON TREATY REFERENDUM | 2:12:09 |
| That this House notes that the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified by all EU member states; is disappointed that the United Kingdom was promised a referendum but that promise was broken; believes that the people of the United Kingdom deserve to have their say on the Lisbon Treaty; and calls on all parties to commit to supporting a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and on the United Kingdom's relationship with Europe. |
| 321 | WEST YORKSHIRE BUS CONTRACTS | 2:12:09 |
| Greg Mulholland | | Lynne Jones |
| That this House praises the unanimous decision by all parties to the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority to back the Quality Bus Contract Scheme, producing the kind of franchised bus network in West Yorkshire that people in London have enjoyed for years; welcomes Quality Contracts as a way to ensure that the people of West Yorkshire have the high quality and reliable bus service they deserve; calls on bus operators to avoid unjustified cuts to services, particularly given the hedged prices for fuel; calls on the West Yorkshire Metro to specify and regularise the frequency, routes and fares of buses; and looks forward to the introduction of complementary measures for buses such as additional bus priorities on roads, more high-quality shelters, real-time information systems, on-bus CCTV and eco-driving initiatives. |
| 322 | COPENHAGEN AND GREEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 2:12:09 |
| Derek Wyatt | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | | Lynne Jones | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House notes the progress achieved over the past two years by the UN-ITU and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development groups on green information technology led in part by UK officials; congratulates them on their work; and calls on the UK delegation at the Copenhagen summit on 7 to 18 December 2009 to ensure that green information technology strategies are at the heart of the UK's negotiations. |
| 323 | SAVE OUR SOUND UK CAMPAIGN | 2:12:09 |
| Peter Luff | | Mr John Whittingdale | | Andrew Mackinlay | | John Battle | | John Barrett | | Bob Russell |
| | Peter Bottomley | Mr Neil Gerrard | Andrew George | | | Pete Wishart | Mark Durkan |
| That this House agrees with the Save Our Sound UK campaign that wireless microphones are essential to live music, musical theatre, newsgathering, filmmaking, television production, sports events, concerts, conferences and community events in the UK; understands that over 95 per cent. of stocks of existing equipment will become redundant as a consequence of the impending clearance of the radio spectrum that they use; notes that this spectrum, once cleared, will be auctioned with significant revenues going to government; recognises that if these activities are to continue at current levels then all affected equipment will need to be replaced, at significant cost; further understands that Ofcom has consulted on a compensation package that the Government has committed to provide in its Digital Britain White Paper; but notes that Ofcom's proposals would only entitle some users to partial replacement costs, and the rest to nothing; is concerned that many of those who own and supply existing equipment could not afford to replace entire inventories, jeopardising all productions that depend on them; and therefore urges the Government to provide a compensation package that covers all fifteen spectrum channels being cleared, and at levels that cover the full costs of replacing existing equipment with like-for-like alternatives as this would prevent serious damage to this vital part of the UK's creative industries at a small fraction of the revenues that the spectrum auctions are likely to generate for government. |
| 324 | PROVISION OF NEW COUNCIL HOUSING | 2:12:09 |
| Lynne Jones | | Richard Burden | | Clare Short | | John Hemming | | Mr Roger Godsiff | | Ms Gisela Stuart |
| That this House welcomes the initiative taken by Birmingham City Council and other local authorities to bring forward new council housing schemes and the investment made by the Government in these schemes; further welcomes the long-awaited consultation by the Government on the reform of council housing finance; and urges the Government to take forward these reforms as speedily as possible so that local authorities can once again provide adequate social housing to meet local needs, including using rental income from local tenants. |
| John Hemming | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House notes that the Government has expressed a desire to increase accountability in the family courts; regrets that the Children, Schools and Families Bill as currently drafted would have the effect of increasing secrecy in the family courts; and calls on the Government urgently to draft amendments to deliver its commitment to accountability. |
| 326 | NATIONAL HOUSE-BUILDING COUNCIL HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARDS 2010 | 2:12:09 |
| Gordon Banks | | Lindsay Roy | | Mr Jim Devine | | Mr David Anderson | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House welcomes the National House-building Council (NHBC), the UK house-building standard setter and warranty provider, establishing the new health and safety awards which recognise and promote best on-site health and safety practice in the house-building sector; notes that on average there are 15 fatalities on Britain's house-building sites each year; further notes that history shows that as the UK emerges from recession, the number of on-site accidents in the house-building sector rises; recognises that the NHBC award scheme is the only scheme of its kind for house-builders; commends builders who invest in on-site health and safety and who provide a safe working environment; and hopes that their efforts will be recognised by these awards. |
| 327 | NATIONAL DEFENCE MEDAL | 2:12:09 |
| Mr Michael Mates | | Mr Lee Scott | | Peter Bottomley |
| That this House notes the significant personal sacrifice armed forces personnel make in their service to the nation once they take the oath or affirmation of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen; acknowledges that ex-service personnel are proud to receive and wear Her Majesty's Veterans Badge, but notes that it is not awarded posthumously and it is considered by many to be insufficient recognition for the contribution veterans have made to the safety of the nation since the ending of the Second World War; and therefore calls on the Government to rescind its recent decision not to more appropriately recognise the veterans by the award of a national defence medal and instead to establish a working group to work with the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, with a view to implementing a national defence medal as soon as possible. |
| 328 | 90th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST WOMAN HON. MEMBER | 2:12:09 |
| Jo Swinson | | Andrew George | | Peter Bottomley | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House celebrates the 90th anniversary on 1 December 2009 of the day that Nancy Astor became the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons; notes that just 291 women have succeeded her as hon. Members in the House and that currently only one in five hon. Members are women; and calls on all political parties to redouble their efforts to improve the representation of women to make gender balance in Parliament a reality. |
| 329 | UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA AMBLESIDE CAMPUS | 2:12:09 |
| That this House is opposed to the planned mothballing of the Ambleside campus of the University of Cumbria from July 2010; notes that Ambleside is the only campus in the south of the county and that it has the longest history of all the university's campuses; is surprised that the university is making this decision given the excellent recruitment figures for Ambleside courses in recent years and the immense potential for what is the most attractive and picturesque location for any university in the UK; believes that the closure of the campus would be a massive blow to the town of Ambleside, to South Lakeland as a whole and especially to staff and students; and further calls on the university to withdraw its proposals and to ensure a vibrant future for the Ambleside campus and for the wider local community. |
| 330 | 400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE | 2:12:09 |
| David Simpson | | Dr William McCrea | | Mr Gregory Campbell | | Mrs Iris Robinson | | Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson | | Mr Peter Robinson |
| | Peter Bottomley | Andrew George | Mr Nigel Dodds |
| That this House recognises the very significant religious, spiritual, social, political and literary contribution to the United Kingdom that the King James or Authorised Version (AV) of the Bible has had on its people; further recognises the positive impact the AV has had across the world; notes that 2011 will mark the 400th anniversary of the authorised version; congratulates the 2011 Trust in the plans it is making to celebrate this anniversary; welcomes the advance commitment of the BBC to mark it on radio, television and online; and calls on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport officially to mark this highly important anniversary. |
| 331 | INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 2009 | 2:12:09 |
| Malcolm Bruce | | Mark Durkan | | Dr Brian Iddon | | Andrew George |
| That this House notes that 3 December 2009 is International Day of People with Disabilities which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and the rights of persons with disabilities; recognises the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities; welcomes this year's focus on the millennium development goals which should reflect persons with disabilities; further notes that around 10 per cent. of the world's population, or 650 million people, live with disabilities; and calls on the Government to do all it can to support persons with disabilities in this country and abroad. |
| 332 | PROVISION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING | 2:12:09 |
| Mr Austin Mitchell | | Mr David Drew | | Paul Holmes | | Mark Durkan |
| That this House welcomes the new direct investment in existing and new council housing but considers that the level of funding in the proposed Housing Revenue Account reforms is not sufficient to meet housing need; believes that the 3,200 new council homes will be nowhere near enough to provide the public housing for rent needed by the five million people on council housing waiting lists and that the new homes built will be heavily outnumbered by council homes lost through privatisation and sales to finance decent homes improvement in the year ahead; and recommends that to avoid further loss of much-needed local authority housing stock the Government should impose an immediate moratorium on the further sale of council housing, should provide funding on the scale necessary to meet the level of need including the £7 billion backlog of capital works, and should provide a new system of funding council housing which creates a level playing field on debt write-off and stock transfer so as to achieve the `sustainable, long-term system for financing council housing' promised by Ministers, and to begin the big council and social house-building drive necessary to put people and builders back to work and ensure that the building of public housing reaches the level necessary to check the rise in private house prices and prevent people being forced to take up mortgages they cannot afford as the only way of being housed, trends which have led to the present crisis. |
| Tony Lloyd | | Jon Cruddas | | Mr Phil Willis | | Ian Stewart | | Pete Wishart | | Mr Gerry Sutcliffe |
| | Dr Phyllis Starkey | Andrew Mackinlay | Dr Howard Stoate | | | Derek Wyatt | Mr Anthony Wright | Stephen Pound | | | Clive Efford | John Austin | Alan Keen | | | Dr Rudi Vis | John McDonnell | Mr Andrew Dismore | | | Frank Dobson | Mike Gapes | Jeremy Corbyn | | | Harry Cohen | Kate Hoey | Mr Neil Gerrard | | | Dr Doug Naysmith | Steve Webb | Mr David Drew | | | Mr Paul Keetch | Jacqui Smith | Mr Bill Olner | | | Richard Burden | Lynne Jones | Mr Dennis Skinner | | | Mr Mark Todd | David Taylor | Ms Sally Keeble | | | Dr Nick Palmer | Mr Graham Allen | Alan Simpson | | | Mr Ian Cawsey | Mr Austin Mitchell | Mr Elliot Morley | | | Mr John Grogan | Mr Eric Illsley | Jeff Ennis | | | Mr Michael Clapham | Mr Clive Betts | Mr Richard Caborn | | | Mike Wood | Mr Terry Rooney | Chris McCafferty | | | Colin Burgon | Mr Paul Truswell | Andrew Miller | | | Dr Brian Iddon | Jim Dobbin | Mr Ian McCartney | | | Mr Lindsay Hoyle | Geraldine Smith | Mr Mark Hendrick | | | Mr David S. Borrow | Dr Ashok Kumar | Frank Cook | | | John Cummings | Mr Fraser Kemp | Mr Stephen Hepburn | | | Jim Cousins | Bill Etherington | Mr Martyn Jones | | | Nick Ainger | Paul Flynn | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | | Dr Gavin Strang | Michael Connarty | John Robertson | | | Mr Ian Davidson | Mrs Anne McGuire | Bob Spink | | | John Mann | Anne Moffat | Mark Lazarowicz | | | Mr Parmjit Dhanda | Mr Dai Havard | Mr David Hamilton | | | Jim Sheridan | Dr Richard Taylor | Mr David Anderson | | | Andrew Gwynne | Natascha Engel | Mr Jim McGovern | | | Mrs Linda Riordan | Ms Celia Barlow | Emily Thornberry | | | Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) | Mr Robert Flello | Mrs Siān C. James | | | Ms Katy Clark | Mark Durkan | Mr Jim Devine | | | Mr Dai Davies |
| That this House recognises Kevin Flack's commitment over 10 years as the Secretary of the UNITE T&G Parliamentary Staff trade union branch; appreciates that over the past decade he has worked tirelessly in representing staff of hon. Members and MEPs' staff both in individual matters and in seeking to improve their collective conditions; acknowledges and thanks him for his good humour and dedication; and wishes him the best of luck in all his future activities. |
| 334 | SAVE GENERAL ELECTION NIGHT CAMPAIGN | 2:12:09 |
| Mr Tom Harris | | Mr Eric Pickles | | Geraldine Smith | | Mr Elfyn Llwyd | | Bob Russell | | Mr Peter Bone |
| | Dr Desmond Turner | Norman Baker | Derek Wyatt | | | Mr Humfrey Malins | Alan Keen | Mr John Horam | | | Mr Don Foster | Nick Harvey | Mr David Drew | | | Mr James Gray | Robert Key | Mr Paul Keetch | | | Ms Gisela Stuart | Judy Mallaber | Tom Levitt | | | Mike Wood | Mr Paul Truswell | Ann Winterton | | | Andrew Miller | Derek Twigg | Mr Graham Brady | | | Mr Nigel Evans | Mr Peter Kilfoyle | Frank Cook | | | Mr Fraser Kemp | Mrs Betty Williams | John Robertson | | | Mr Mohammad Sarwar | Mr Ian Davidson | Bob Spink | | | Mr Mike Weir | Paul Holmes | Mark Lazarowicz | | | Mr Parmjit Dhanda | Andrew Rosindell | Angela Watkinson | | | Dr Richard Taylor | Nadine Dorries | John Hemming | | | Jo Swinson | Mike Penning | Greg Mulholland | | | Philip Davies |
| That this House is concerned at reports that growing numbers of returning officers are considering postponing the counting of votes cast on the day of the General Election until the day after polling; believes that in the 21st century it would be a regressive move not to announce constituency results as early as possible; further believes that public confidence in the results could be undermined by delays in the counting of ballot papers and that fewer voters would be able to watch the results being announced if this were done on a Friday afternoon; and calls on local authorities throughout the United Kingdom to ensure that all ballot papers are counted immediately after the close of polls on General Election night, as has been the practice in previous general elections. |
| 335 | PERTH 800 ANNIVERSARY AND CITY STATUS | 2:12:09 |
| Pete Wishart | | Gordon Banks | | Mr Michael Fallon |
| That this House looks forward to the series of events in 2010 to celebrate the 800 years since the granting of the city charter to the fair city of Perth; notes the varied and exciting programme of events involving community, cultural and sporting organisations throughout Perthshire; believes that the profile of Perth and Perthshire will be greatly enhanced by the 800 year celebrations and proper acknowledgement of Perthshire as a superb tourist destination and desirable place to live; hopes that the 800 year celebrations will enhance the campaign to have Perth acknowledged as Scotland's 7th city; and further looks forward to Perth securing full city status in its 800th year. |
| 336 | IMPACT OF THE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS DIRECTIVE | 2:12:09 |
| Dr Brian Iddon | | Kate Hoey | | Jo Swinson | | Frank Cook | | Mr John Leech | | Mr Andrew Dismore |
| | Andrew George | David Taylor | Philip Davies |
| That this House notes that after much delay proposals for maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive are expected to be published by the European Commission in early 2010; further notes that despite efforts from the UK Government and Food Standards Agency the levels remain likely to be set in a disproportionately restrictive way and will have a devastating impact on the UK health food industry; welcomes the recent impact assessment carried out by the Health Food Manufacturers' Association and the National Association of Health Stores to quantify the impact that the setting of maximum permitted levels will have on UK businesses; expresses its profound concern that the impact assessment suggests that the setting of maximum permitted levels could potentially lead to the loss of well over £100 million worth of sales, the closure of more than 700 independent retail stores and around 4,000 job losses; fears that smaller specialist manufacturers and retailers will be the hardest hit by this legislation; suggests that this process will restrict the choice to British consumers and leave such consumers exposed to the additional risks of buying products from unregulated overseas suppliers through the internet and mail order; and invites the Government to redouble its efforts in Europe to safeguard the future of the UK health food industry and the continued availability of safe, higher potency food supplements that have been on the UK market for decades. |
| 337 | UN RESOLUTION ON TREATMENT OF MINORITIES IN IRAN | 2:12:09 |
| That this House notes with grave concern the continuing human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities in Iran; strongly condemns the discrimination against Bahį'is, Arabs, Azeris, Baluchis, Kurds, Christians, Jews, Sufis and Sunni Muslims in Iran; further condemns the persistent harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders, political opponents, ethnic and religious minorities and other groups by the Islamic authorities; welcomes and supports the resolution passed by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2009 strongly condemning the continuing abuse of the fundamental human rights of these groups and Iran's failure to comply with international standards in the administration of justice; and urges the Government to further support this Resolution, to work with international partners and use every influence to ensure that the rights of Bahį'is and all the other minority groups are upheld by the Iranian authorities. |
| 338 | REVIEW OF TIER 4 POINTS-BASED SYSTEM FOR STUDENT VISAS | 2:12:09 |
| David Lepper | | Mr Robert Syms | | Mr Adrian Sanders |
| That this House recognises the important role of the English language teaching sector in the UK economy and in promoting a positive image of the UK; welcomes the steps taken by the Government and by the sector to introduce more robust forms of registration and the accreditation of course providers; acknowledges the need to deal with abuses of the student visa system, but is concerned that proposals being consulted on in the review of the Tier 4 Points-based System for student visas could result in some 50,000 fewer legitimate students a year coming to the UK's language schools, further education colleges and universities to study, causing severe damage to the sector and a major loss of income to the UK; believes that it is possible to deal with any abuses in the system in ways which do not damage properly registered and accredited providers of courses; and calls on the Government to work closely with representatives of those providers to agree an alternative solution to that currently being consulted on. |
| 339 | DAIRY COUNCIL CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTMAS CHEESES EVENT | 2:12:09 |
| Andrew Rosindell | | Sir Malcolm Rifkind | | Mr Lee Scott | | Mr Tobias Ellwood | | Daniel Kawczynski | | Mr Henry Bellingham |
| That this House congratulates the Dairy Council in staging the 2009 Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses, marking the ceremony's 50th anniversary, which forms the beginning of the Chelsea Pensioners' traditional Christmas celebrations; further congratulates William Moylon, the oldest Chelsea Pensioner, who had the honour of cutting the cheese at this historic occasion; notes that dairy products are a calcium-rich food for people of all ages which is especially important for older people in order to minimise bone loss; and welcomes the work of the Royal Hospital in ensuring that dairy products play an important role in the diet of the Chelsea Pensioners. |
| 340 | PRESIDENT OBAMA, NATIONAL SECURITY AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS | 2:12:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Lynne Jones | | Paul Flynn |
| That this House agrees with the analysis of US President Obama in his address to United States Military Cadets at the West Point Military Academy in New York on 1 December 2009 when he said that the US would have to take away the tools of mass destruction and that was why he had made it a central pillar of his foreign policy to secure loose nuclear materials from terrorists, to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and to pursue the goal of a world without them, because every nation had to understand that true security would never come from an endless race for ever more destructive weapons but that it would come for those who rejected them; believes that this wise judgement applies equally to the UK, and therefore calls on the Government to abandon forthwith all current efforts towards replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system; notes that at a time when there is pressure on the public finances, the money thus saved could be redeployed to create jobs, education, housing, sustainable energy technologies such as wave power generators, and medical research in the civilian sector; and, in order to enhance the UK's influence at the forthcoming Review Conference of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty to be held at the United Nations in New York in May 2010, calls on the Government to place into international nuclear disarmament negotiations the existing Trident nuclear weapons system in order to achieve true security for the UK. |
| 341 | PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND REGIME CHANGE IN IRAQ | 2:12:09 |
| Mr Dai Davies | | Lynne Jones | | Paul Flynn |
| That this House notes the candid revelation by Sir David Manning, the former foreign policy advisor to the Prime Minister, at the Iraq inquiry on 30 November 2009 that, in respect of the speech on 12 September 2002 by President George W. Bush to the United Nations on United States policy towards Iraq, shortly after that speech, Dr Rice had telephoned him to say that, in fact, the President had been given the wrong text and that he had had to ad lib this, but fortunately the President had put in the reference to the need to return and to have new UN resolutions to try and resolve this through the UN; is appalled that in such an important decision on which the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were to be dependent, such an incredible error could be made; believes the decision making over Iraq, including the invasion, and the ongoing occupation, have subsequently demonstrated a similar level of incompetence; and calls on all future witnesses at the Iraq inquiry to present an equal level of candour in explaining the real shambles that underpinned allied Iraq policy since 2002. |
RELEVANT INTEREST DECLARED
| 269 | | TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: |
| Sir Nicholas Winterton has declared a relevant interest. |
NAME WITHDRAWN
| 313 | | YOUR SCOTLAND, YOUR VOICE WHITE PAPER: |
| Andrew George has withdrawn his name. |
|
