Session 2013-14
House of Commons
9th 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
463 SEAMUS HEANEY 2:9:13
113That 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
7That 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
7That 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.
467 STATE PENSION CHANGES FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1953 AND 1954 3:9:13
23That 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
19That 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
9That 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.
471 SYRIA, THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT 4:9:13
7That this House notes the public's strong support for a UN solution to the crisis in Syria; and calls on the Government to take immediate steps to introduce a resolution to the UN Security Council referring President Bashar al-Assad to the International Criminal Court for prosecution for crimes against humanity.
473 RICHARD III 4:9:13
2That this House welcomes the bid to reinter Richard III's remains in Leicester; notes that the former King's remains have remained buried in Leicester for over 500 years; recognises the essential role that the University of Leicester's archaeologists have played in uncovering his burial site; believes that it is only right and dignified that the remains remain in their resting place and not be transported to another place; hopes that the remains be buried in Leicester permanently; acknowledges that the Battle of Bosworth and this historical tale is another fantastic aspect to Leicester's cultural heritage; and calls on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to give the city the deserving title of City of Culture 2017.
474 OVERSEAS PENSIONERS 4:9:13
7That this House notes that Clause 20 of the Pensions Bill is intended to make lawful the continuation of the unintended, purposeless discrimination against those British overseas pensioners, mostly in Commonwealth countries, who are denied the normal increases given to equivalent pensioners at home, in the EU and in most foreign countries; and therefore asks the Government to withdraw Clause 20.
475 CLIFF MORGAN OBE 1930-2013 4:9:13
44That this House notes with sadness the death of Cliff Morgan OBE one of the greatest Wales and British and Irish Lions players who described the game of rugby as, a combination of opera, ballet and murder and played at a time when he humorously suggested Welsh players thought a coach was a posh bus; remembers his easy, deceptive humour which disguised the extensive abilities of a man who became one of the most consummate and influential television and radio sports commentators and television production executives; and further notes that he was a musician and gentleman and rounded individual who also pioneered the public promotion of disabled athletics and made a significant contribution to the celebrating of his country and its culture.
476 TAX HAVENS 4:9:13
6That this House notes with concern that one in five tax havens worldwide are under UK jurisdiction; further notes that although all the British Overseas Territories have committed to joining the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, none have actually done so and no time-frame has been set in which they will do so; further notes that the island of Sark, where income tax is set at zero per cent will not come under the new agreement signed by Guernsey so will be exempt from oversight on beneficial ownership; believes that clarification on when the register of beneficial ownership will come into force, which British Overseas Territories will sign up to the Register and whether it will be publicly accessible is required as a matter of urgency; observes that while the automatic sharing of tax information will aid transparency, it will not in itself alter the tax regimes which made these territories attractive to companies and individuals aiming to minimise their taxes; and calls on the Government to take action both domestically and internationally to tackle the use of tax havens by multinational companies and individuals operating in the UK or in territories under its jurisdiction.
477 REMEMBERING BILL SHANKLY 4:9:13
2That this House commemorates the remarkable life of the legendary football manager and lifelong socialist, Bill Shankly, who was born 100 years ago; notes that he was one of nine children, five of whom became professional footballers and grew up in the Ayrshire village of Glenbuck in the now-decimated Ayrshire coalfields; recalls that the first song he ever learned was the Red Flag; further notes that, despite the myth, he never played for Glenbuck Cherrypickers but for Cronberry Eglinton in the nearby village before he turned professional; further recalls that he spent two years as a miner before being signed by Carlisle United; marvels particularly at his achievement at Liverpool FC as manager where he transformed a team struggling in the Second Division into thrice winning the First Division, two FA Cups, four Charity Shields and the UEFA Cup; and passes on good wishes to his surviving relatives.
478 NORTHERN ECHO AND CREDIT UNIONS 4:9:13
9That this House congratulates the Northern Echo for providing free advertising space for local credit unions which promotes them as a viable alternative to payday loans and loan sharks.
479 NARENDRA MODI 4:9:13
3That this House calls on the Secretary of State for the Home Department to reinstitute the ban on Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, from entering the UK, given his role in the communal violence in 2002 that claimed the lives of hundreds if not thousands of Muslims, including British nationals; expresses its concern that the ban was lifted for economic and diplomatic reasons, ignoring the role Mr Modi and his administration played in the violence that warranted the ban that stood for more than 10 years; notes that Mr Modi was previously denied a visa on grounds that he was 'responsible for or directly carried out... particularly severe violations of religious freedom'; and calls on Mr Speaker and the House authorities to ban Mr Modi from entering the Palace of Westminster.
480 RECENT EVENTS AT CAMP ASHRAF 4:9:13
3That this House is aware of the tragic events that took place in Camp Ashraf in the early morning of 1 September 2013, when an armed raid transpired led by Iraqi forces who needlessly slaughtered at least 52 persons and kidnapped a number of other people who remain hostages; condemns unreservedly the actions which led to these deaths, with many of the deceased appearing to have died of gunshot wounds, the majority of which were to the head and upper body and several with their hands tied; reminds the Iraqi government of its human rights responsibilities and that those killed and taken were protected persons under the terms of the Geneva Convention; and demands the safe release of those held and an immediate and full inquiry into these actions.
481 RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, GIBRALTAR AND SPAIN 4:9:13
3That this House expresses concern regarding the Spanish government's refusal to accept referendums and their subsequent results as a valid procedure to resolve sovereignty-related matters in Gibraltar and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula.
483 UK DISABLED PEOPLE'S MANIFESTO 4:9:13
12That this House warmly welcomes the launch of the UK Disabled People's Manifesto, Reclaiming our Futures, developed by disabled people and their organisations across the UK, which sets out the shared vision of disabled people for an inclusive and equal society free from economic, social and cultural barriers; and urges all political parties represented in this House to engage in a constructive dialogue with the disabled people's organisations promoting the manifesto with the aim of achieving its objectives.
486 US CONGRESS VOTE AGAINST MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA 5:9:13
19That this House welcomes the announcement of the Prime Minister ruling out UK participation in military action against Syria following the Parliamentary vote of 29 August 2013; believes the Syrian conflict desperately needs a peaceful resolution since military action on the part of the UK or US would result in further death and destruction of innocent lives, increase mistrust between forces in the region and the wider world, and escalate the violence further; values the UK-US relationship which it believes is built on much more than a military alliance; and therefore urges members of the US Congress to reject military action and support an immediate ceasefire and peace talks involving all sides in the Syrian conflict.
487 LGBT RIGHTS IN RUSSIA 6:9:13
7That this House deplores the recent legislation passed in Russia banning the promotion of non-traditional relationships; notes that this is akin to the former Section 28 legislation in the UK; further notes that the new law appears to be part of a wider crackdown on the freedoms of the LGBT community in Russia; believes that we must listen to those Russian LGBT groups and activists who urge very strongly that boycotts in any form or nature, from sporting, like the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, to drinking vodka, are not supported by them and only increase the likelihood of harm towards LGBT Russians; and calls on the Government to work through international and diplomatic channels, like the G20, the Council of Europe and the International Olympic Committee and commercial and business interests already involved in sponsoring the 2014 Winter Olympics, alongside indigenous LGBT campaign groups based in Russia itself, to stand up for the human rights of the Russian LGBT community.
488 HOME OFFICE RETURNS PILOT SCHEME 9:9:13
2That this House deplores the recent Home Office poster campaign running in UK Border Agency offices in Glasgow and London advising people seeking advice to 'go home'; believes that this poster campaign is an insensitive and ineffective way of dealing with illegal immigration and is unlikely to encourage voluntary returns; notes that this is not the only instance of this type of campaign following the heavily criticised vans carrying similar messages; further notes that charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have expressed their concerns about the campaign; further believes that this scheme is likely to undermine its stated aims whilst creating an environment of fear; and urges the Government to halt immediately this pilot scheme and to work with local authorities, community groups and NGOs to encourage voluntary returns in a more effective, liberal, sympathetic and humane manner.
489 COVENTRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB LTD ASSETS 9:9:13
1That this House notes that at the time when Coventry City Football Club Ltd went into administration on 21 March 2013, the club's owners claimed on the club's website that Coventry City Football Club (Holdings) Limited is the club and that Coventry City Football Club Ltd, now in administration, was merely a property subsidiary which owns no material assets and has no employees on or off the pitch; further notes that in response to evidence that some players were registered with CCFC Ltd, Mr Tim Fisher, Chief Executive Officer, told the Coventry Telegraph there had been errors and that, in these instances, the documentation clearly shows Limited as the registering company; further notes that since then the intangible assets register, signed off by Mr Fisher on 19 June 2012, has come to light, and shows that 23 named players at a closing value of £5,507,953.63 were registered as assets of the limited company as at 31 May 2011; further notes that this information flies in the face of what has been claimed repeatedly by Mr Fisher and that this information has been passed to the Football League, the Football Association, HM Revenue and Customs and the Joint Administrator who has been asked whether he accepts that these assets were held by the limited company at that date; and calls on Mr Fisher to say, in light of the above, why he has made the claims he has, and on Mr Paul Appleton, the Joint Administrator, to explain why he sold the company without first establishing what its assets were.
490 NUCLEAR MANAGEMENT PARTNERS AND EXPENSES CLAIMS 9:9:13
3That this House notes that the consortium, Nuclear Management Partners (NMP), who has been responsible for mismanaging Sellafield for five years, has included in its expenses claims to the taxpayer-funded Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for charging the taxpayer £714 to provide a taxi for a cat and that executives charged £2,795 for flights to the US Masters golf tournament, claimed an £82 per person dinner in France and billed £719 for Amazon purchases without providing a receipt; recalls that NMP is jointly owned by Amec from the UK, Areva from France and US firm URS Washington; further recalls Early Day Motion 397 which calls on the Government to replace NMP with a competent management team and to bring the proposed new contract for Sellafield management before Parliament for scrutiny before finalising the deal; and believes that this reinforces the urgency of proper financial oversight of the top-tier management at Sellafield.
491 PROPOSED ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUE MARCH IN BRADFORD 9:9:13
4That this House notes that there were further arrests at the English Defence League (EDL) march of what were estimated to be between 350 and 500 EDL members in London on 7 September 2013 and that 3,000 police officers were mobilised to enable the EDL to march over Tower Bridge to Aldgate; further notes that there was a peaceful counter-demonstration in Tower Hamlets of some 3,000 to 3,500 people determined to defend the principles of community harmony; further notes that the EDL leader, Tommy Robinson, has now announced that the next national march by the EDL will be in Bradford on 12 October 2013; believes the only purpose of such a march will be to incite racial division, hatred and violence; and therefore calls on the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire and the Secretary of State for the Home Department to ban the EDL from marching anywhere in the Bradford area.
492 CREATING MORE HOUSING SETTLEMENTS 9:9:13
1That this House commends the report by the Building and Social Housing Federation entitled, Creating the Conditions for New Settlements in England; notes that it points up the chronic undersupply of new housing, with the need to build 160,000 more houses a year than the current 100,000; and encourages the Government to take up the recommendations, which include creating an overall strategic spatial plan for England as well as ensuring that HM Treasury puts funding in place to pay for those additional desperately needed homes.
493 NO GLORY CAMPAIGN 9:9:13
1That this House supports the No Glory campaign which challenges the narrative of the official programme marking the centenary of the First World War; congratulates the artists and poets involved, including Jude Law, Alan Rickman and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy; believes that the war, rather than being portrayed as glorious, was actually a disaster for humanity, was totally unnecessary and destroyed a generation; is concerned that if the event turns into a kind of Diamond Jubilee celebration writ large it will risk alienating or boring many young people; and commends the project by the Peace Museum in Bradford called Choices which looks at the choices and hidden histories of the period, such as the black and ethnic minority experience and including confronting the English Defence League today.
494 RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF TASERS 9:9:13
1That this House is alarmed that the use of Tasers in England and Wales has doubled to more than 7,000 a year; notes that the Taser is a potentially lethal weapon delivering more than 50,000 volts; points out that whereas firearms officers receive months of training and are constantly reassessed, Taser-trained officers get just three days' training; is concerned that an officer in Lancashire who Tasered a blind man is not being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service; is particularly concerned about their use in confined spaces and against vulnerable individuals; believes that the weapon should not be seen as a natural extension to a police officer's equipment and should be kept in the hands of only a small number of specially-trained officers; and calls on the Secretary of State for the Home Department to restrict the issue and use of such weapons to just a core of specially-trained officers.
495 PRISON CLOSURES 9:9:13
4That this House condemns the Government's announcement of further prison closures in the next financial year; notes that the closure of HM Prison Blundeston, HM Prison Dorchester, HM Prison Northallerton and HM Prison Reading comes at a time when almost 20,000 prisoners are being held in an overcrowded prison estate; further notes the worrying increase in serious assaults on prisoners and staff due to overcrowding as well as the increase in prisoners sharing cells designed for one inmate; is concerned that the closure of these four local prisons and the creation of a superprison in North Wales will not assist in lowering reoffending and will result in prisoners being hundreds of miles from friends and family who play a huge role in rehabilitation; further notes that 685 prison officer posts will be at risk due to the closures; and therefore calls on the Government to rethink its prison closure plan and allow time for proper consultation and discussion with unions and employers to ensure a safe and fair programme to reduce overcrowding and reoffending.
496 40th ANNIVERSARY OF CHILE COUP OF 11 SEPTEMBER 1973 9:9:13
6That this House commemorates 11 September 2013 as the fortieth anniversary of the coup in Chile which overthrew the elected popular Unity government of Salvador Allende and resulted in his death and that of over 7,000 people during the military dictatorship; and extends its sympathy and solidarity to the victims and their families and salutes all those who campaigned against Pinochet and his accomplices for democracy and human rights in Chile and throughout Latin America.
497 ENGLAND COAST PATH 9:9:13
1That this House recalls that the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 was passed with overwhelming cross-party agreement; is confident, on the basis of evidence from existing coastal walking routes, that the full England Coast Path will create real jobs and bring economic regeneration to many poor rural communities; further recalls that the path was originally to be completed by 2019; and therefore urges the Government to bring forward its proposals for the completion of the path without further delay.