Session 2013-14
House of Commons
3rd September 2013
Notices of Motions for which no days have been fixed
('Early Day Motions')
The figure following this symbol is the number of Members who have added their names in support of the Motion, including the Member in charge of the Motion.
After an Early Day Motion (EDM) has been printed for the first time, it is only reprinted when names are added or amendments tabled; only the first six names and any names added since the last printing are included. After the week in which a Motion is first printed and the following week, added names and amendments appear only in a separate paper, Mature EDMs, distributed the next Thursday. In the meantime, they are available for inspection by Members in the Table Office and the Library or on the EDM database at edmi.parliament.uk
450 PARLIAMENTARY RIGHT TO DEBATE MILITARY ACTION 29:8:13
55That this House believes that Parliament should, as of right, normally hold a debate before any British commitment to military action.
451 WELFARE OF IMPORTED PUPPIES 29:8:13
6That this House notes with concern the growing number of puppies being imported from Eastern Europe following the relaxation of the UK's quarantine rules; further notes that some points of entry have recorded an increase in the number of illegally imported dogs detained; is concerned at the lack of specific regulations governing transport conditions and journey times for these animals; is further concerned that many may be reared and transported in poor conditions; questions the validity of the paperwork accompanying many of these animals; is further concerned that these imports could introduce disease to the UK, potentially including rabies; applauds the work of the FOUR PAWS organisation and others in this area; and calls on the Government to strengthen the current rules to end this trade in puppies and protect the UK's rabies-free status.
452 ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS 29:8:13
17That this House calls on the Government to ensure that workers' rights are protected and that a race to the bottom is avoided; notes with great concern the large number of workers in all sectors employed on zero hour contracts; further notes that, while this flexibility can suit some workers, on the whole it undermines employment, financial and family stability and raises grave doubts about employers' commitment to the welfare of their employees; urges employers to invest in a stable and secure workforce whose skills and aspirations are recognised and encouraged through longer term contracts, training and proper observation of workplace rights.
453 SYRIA AND THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS 29:8:13
9That this House deplores the chemical weapons attacks and appalling loss of life in Syria; notes that the reports of weapons inspectors in Syria are yet to be published and that there is no UN authorisation for military action; calls for refugees from the Syrian conflict to be fully assisted and supported; and believes that the case for military action against Syria has not been established.
455 ARTICLE 18: AN ORPHANED RIGHT? REPORT 29:8:13
8That this House welcomes the publication of the new report Article 18: An Orphaned Right? by the All Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom; notes that this report examines abuses of religious freedom using the framework of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of religion or belief; congratulates the authors of the report for producing a concise and clear survey of abuses of freedom of religion or belief throughout the world, affecting people of all religions and none; endorses the Report's policy recommendations including the appointment of an Ambassador for Religious Freedom and the establishment of a Foreign and Commonwealth Office advisory committee on freedom of religion or belief; and calls on the Government to accept these recommendations as soon as possible.
456 RUSSIA-GEORGIA CRISIS 29:8:13
3That this House recognises that the Russia-Georgia crisis has now had its fifth anniversary; commends all those who are committed to retaining the peace and enhancing cooperation between the two nations; and asks the Foreign Office to apply diplomatic measures to ensure that there is a recognition of the sovereignty of each state and that all soldiers are withdrawn from areas which are not owned by each nation individually.
457 MARTIN LUTHER KING 'I HAVE A DREAM' 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPEECH 29:8:13
20That this House remembers the great work carried out by Martin Luther King in the search for equal rights in America; recalls with sadness on this the 50th anniversary of his `I have a dream' speech, the assassination of this great man; notes that it is one of the most famous and well-known speeches in history and reaffirms the need for true racial equality throughout the world.
458 MR GREG CLARKE AND FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S INSOLVENCY POLICY 29:8:13
4That this House notes that the Football League's insolvency policy, as written, requires an owner wishing to move a club away from its traditional area to demonstrate a clear plan with timescales for its return; further notes that despite this, Greg Clarke, the Chairman of the Football League, has admitted that he does not know if the owners of Coventry City Football Club will build a stadium in the Coventry area in the next five years or if it is their intention ever to do so; calls on the Football League in light of this to alter its policy to reflect the actions it has taken in this case; believes that the policy should recognise that the League will back its member clubs right to move if they wish, for however long they wish, will require no commitments from them other than a demonstration that they have the funds to continue to run the club, will disregard the views of fans, will criticise those who build and pay for stadiums for clubs to play in, as he has done, even when a club withholds the rent and puts itself into administration in order to avoid its obligations; and, in light of this policy coupled with the serious administrative errors it has belatedly admitted, further believes that the League is not a fit and capable organisation to administer the national game.
459 DEFRA-FUNDED ELECTRIC SHOCK COLLAR RESEARCH 29:8:13
3That this House recognises the findings of the published, DEFRA-funded, research into the use of electric shock collars on dogs which demonstrated that electric shock collars caused negative behavioural and physiological changes in a portion of dogs, were not more effective than positive reinforcement methods which is the main argument for their use and were open to misuse as owners either did not read the manuals or they were not provided; notes that positive training tools, including recall training, retractable leads and clicker training, help build a relation of mutual trust and liking between owner and dog rather than a relationship based on fear and pain; and urges the Government to implement a ban on electric shock collars as was done in Wales under its Animal Welfare Act 2006 to stop unnecessary pain and distress to dogs.
460 BILL WALKER MSP 29:8:13
10That this House believes that Bill Walker MSP should vacate his seat in the Scottish Parliament immediately.
461 BAKERS' INDUSTRIAL ACTION OVER ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS 29:8:13
19That this House expresses grave concern over the rise in the number of UK workers employed on zero hours contracts and the growth of casualisation across the labour market; notes the serious and detrimental impact of zero hours contracts on many people who lack the ability to plan their lives or budget effectively; resolves to support workers at Hovis (Premier Foods) in Wigan who have rejected the employment of agency labour on zero hours contracts following recent redundancies and have been left with no choice other than to take industrial action over these concerns; believes that the company's failure to withdraw agency labour from the site sets a damaging precedent, undermines current terms and conditions, creates a two-tier workforce and leaves a poor legacy for subsequent generations of people who may be employed at Hovis in the future; further notes the outstanding messages of solidarity from members of the public; and urges the company to re-enter negotiations with the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union to resolve this dispute fairly, amicably and in accordance with the strength of feeling among the workforce and the general public.
462 ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUE MARCH IN TOWER HAMLETS 2:9:13
6That this House notes that the English Defence League (EDL) intends to march in Tower Hamlets on 7 September 2013; further notes that previous attempts by EDL members to march in Tower Hamlets over the last couple of years have been stopped either through bans or police arrests; further notes that the intention of the EDL is to whip up racial tension, division and violence directed particularly against the large Muslim community in Tower Hamlets; further notes that Tower Hamlets Council has voted to support a ban on the EDL marching and the directly elected Mayor of Tower Hamlets has called for such a ban; and calls on the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to recommend to the Home Secretary that the EDL should be banned, and that the Home Secretary should then ban the EDL from marching in Tower Hamlets on 7 September 2013.
463 SEAMUS HEANEY 2:9:13
17That this House mourns the passing of Seamus Heaney, great poet, most gentle man of deep humility, high honour and wide-smiled humour, whose cadent, lyrical, ethereal and earthed verse voiced a special spokesperson for the natured heart of humanity, whose warm, wise way epitomised a soul-uncle for all touched by his charming presence or reached by his stirring, stilling words who had the grace of genius and who showed the genius of grace.
464 WITHDRAWAL OF THE MINIMUM PRACTICE INCOME GUARANTEE 2:9:13
2That this House recognises that the withdrawal of the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee for General Practices will disproportionately affect small rural practices, such as those in Coniston and Hawkshead; notes that this loss in funding may result in these surgeries being forced to close; further notes that these practices are vital to the communities they serve, particularly in large rural areas; and therefore calls on NHS England, the Department of Health and the British Medical Association to intervene so that specific financial and administrative support is given to small rural general practices to ensure their ongoing viability.
465 CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL OTLEY BUSINESS CRAFTSMAN TOOLS 2:9:13
3That this House congratulates all staff past and present who have worked hard to keep vital local business Craftsman Tools thriving in Otley for 60 years; recognises the hard work which has gone into the continued successful expansion overseas and local development of the business over the past 60 years; welcomes its dedication to the local community; commends Craftsman Tools for creating a new apprentice training area this year and thus showing its commitment to young people in the area by employing and training increasing numbers of apprentices in its factory; recognises its links with local university Leeds Metropolitan University and its commitment to aiding students with research projects; acknowledges the dedication shown by Craftsman Tools to providing jobs in the local community where they are much needed; wishes it every success in the future; and expresses its commitment to valuing local businesses and aiding them to succeed as Craftsman Tools has.
466 COMMENTS MADE IN THE 2014 GOOD PUB GUIDE 2:9:13
2That this House criticises the comments made by the editorial team of the Good Pub Guide that state that most of the 4,000 pubs they anticipate will close by 2014 deserve to shut due to them not being good enough, saying that they are stuck in the 1980s; condemns the lack of sensitivity shown at the potential loss of livelihood and homes for publicans whose pubs are forced to close; believes that there are very few pubs that cannot be good pubs with the right people owning and running them, and that, instead of welcoming closures of pubs, the Good Pub Guide should be looking at why so many community pubs are under-invested in and struggling, which in thousands of cases is due to the unfair pubco tied business model, which has led to chronic under-investment in many pubs as well as making it difficult for their publicans to compete due to the high rents and excessive prices they are forced to buy beer at which has made many pubs unviable that would not be on a fair agreement; suggests that the editors of the Good Pub Guide visit some of the now excellent pubs that were previously under-invested in, failing pubco pubs now thriving under local ownership; and calls on the Good Pub Guide, instead of criticising some pubs and supporting their closure, to look at the issues facing pubco pubs and to support more pubs being in local ownership which would mean these pubs would also have a chance to be good pubs with a positive future.
467 STATE PENSION CHANGES FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1953 AND 1954 3:9:13
8That this House is aware that women reaching 59 and 60 years of age in 2013 have to contend with two changes to their state pension age leaving little time if any to make further arrangements; is further aware that a large proportion of them will miss out on the increased basic state pension scheduled to start in April 2017; and calls on the Government to rethink this unfairness which would lead to this group of women having to work an additional four to five years without the prospect of receiving even the increased basic pension at the end of their working lives.
468 FUTURE OF ACCESS TO HIGH-COST DRUGS FOR RARE DISEASES 3:9:13
4That this House welcomes the new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Muscular Dystrophy supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on raising the issue of access to high-cost drugs for rare diseases; notes that difficulties in authorising new treatments could mean essential drugs don't reach families that need them; recognises the need for a simplified approval process for multi-centre trials; acknowledges that hospital trusts should promote research more effectively amongst rare disease patients; calls on the Government to establish a ring-fenced fund for rare disease drugs; further calls on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and NHS England to speed up access to life-changing drugs after the final stages of clinical trials to ensure there are no major delays in treatments reaching children; and further calls on NHS England to ensure specialist centres are equipped with an appropriate range of health professionals to deliver treatments.
469 BBC CENSORSHIP AT THE PROMS 3:9:13
2That this House condemns the BBC for censoring comments made by violinist Nigel Kennedy when he spoke during a BBC Proms concert from the Royal Albert Hall while performing with a group of young Palestinian musicians; believes that the BBC’s worldwide reputation for impartiality and fairness has been undermined as a result of such censorship when it broadcast the concert on BBC 4 on 23 August 2013; applauds Mr Kennedy for drawing attention to the apartheid being operated by the government of Israel; and urges the Government to seek an explanation from the BBC as to whether its decision to delete the comments made by Mr Kennedy in the course of the concert was because of a complaint from former BBC Governor Baroness Deech.
470 CITY OF NEWCASTLE PIPE BAND'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TITLE 3:9:13
6That this House congratulates the City of Newcastle Pipe Band, which is based at HMS Calliope in Gateshead, for being awarded the Champion of Champions title at the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, beating the Scottish competition; celebrates the resurgence of pipe playing in the North East, with 30 members in the City of Newcastle Band; and wishes the band every success in its future endeavours, particularly its quest to seek promotion from Grade 4 to Grade 3 in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.