Session 2013-14
House of Commons
11th 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
462 ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUE MARCH IN TOWER HAMLETS 2:9:13
11That 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
124That 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
10That 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.
466 COMMENTS MADE IN THE 2014 GOOD PUB GUIDE 2:9:13
7That 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
32That 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
30That 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 do not 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
11That 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
16That 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.
471 SYRIA, THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT 4:9:13
31That 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.
472 TRIBUTE TO SIR DAVID FROST 4:9:13
5That this House expresses deep sympathy to the Frost family circle on the sudden death of Sir David Frost; acknowledges that he was perhaps one of the greatest British television personalities who will be sadly missed; and recognises with gratification a career which spanned 50 years of entertaining and informing the nation.
473 RICHARD III 4:9:13
5That 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
20That 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
62That 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
16That 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
12That 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
18That this House congratulates the Northern Echo for providing free advertising space for local credit unions and which promotes them as a viable alternative to payday loans and loan sharks.
480 RECENT EVENTS AT CAMP ASHRAF 4:9:13
10That 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 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
9That 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.
482 NATIONAL DAY OF CATALONIA 4:9:13
9That this House congratulates all the people of Catalonia on the occasion of their National Day on 11 September 2013; and notes the peaceful and democratic spirit of the Via Catalana initiative in which hundreds of thousands of people will stage a 250-mile human chain that will cross the country, including its capital Barcelona, to call for the independence of Catalonia through democratic means.
483 UK DISABLED PEOPLE'S MANIFESTO 4:9:13
28That 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.
484 IQBAL SINGH 5:9:13
6That this House notes with deep sadness the passing of Iqbal Singh, the long-standing adviser and researcher to the All Party Group on the Punjabi Community in Britain and its predecessor, the All Party Group on Human Rights in the Punjab; pays tribute to the dedication, quiet dignity and wise judgement with which Iqbal supported hon. Members in the pursuit of justice and human rights in the Punjab and in giving Punjabis and Sikhs in the UK a voice in Parliament; and wishes to place on record its admiration and gratitude for Iqbal's hard work on behalf of the Punjabi community in the UK and the Punjabi causes to which he devoted his life.
486 US CONGRESS VOTE AGAINST MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA 5:9:13
28That 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
21That 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
12That 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
4That 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
12That 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
12That 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.
493 NO GLORY CAMPAIGN 9:9:13
4That 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
4That 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
13That 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
26That 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
24That 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.
498 RESUMPTION OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS 10:9:13
18That this House welcomes July 2013's resumption of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators; congratulates US Secretary of State John Kerry for his endeavours; urges both sides to refrain from any acts that undermine the trust required for successful negotiations; further urges both the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to ensure that these negotiations achieve a two state solution, based on the pre-1967 borders with agreed land swaps, and East Jerusalem as the capital for the new state of Palestine; and applauds the work of civil society groups such as the OneVoice Movement, whose vital work highlights the will of the majority of Israelis and Palestinians who seek an end to the prolonged occupation and conflict.
499 NATIONAL ARTHRITIS WEEK 10:9:13
26That this House welcomes Arthritis Research UK's National Arthritis Week from 7 to 13 October 2013; recognises the substantial impact that arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including back pain and osteoporosis, have on people's daily lives; acknowledges that MSK conditions affect over 10 million people and account for the largest proportion of years lived with disability in the UK; further welcomes Arthritis Research UK's Understanding Arthritis report with its five recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of people with these conditions, namely ensuring NHS England fulfils its NHS Mandate objective to offer everyone with a long term condition a care plan; calls for MSK conditions to be included within Public Health England's three year set of priorities; requests that there is a fracture liaison service linked to every hospital involved in the care of people with fragility fractures; further calls on NHS England to prioritise data collection of patients' conditions and treatments in data poor areas such as rheumatology and orthopaedic outpatient appointments; and further requests that NHS England encourages GPs to routinely ask people with MSK conditions if they experience depression and anxiety.
500 PROBATION SERVICE PRIVATISATION 10:9:13
13That this House is deeply concerned by the Government's plans to outsource almost 70 per cent of the probation service in England and Wales, including the supervision of low to medium risk offenders, to private security firms such as G4S and Serco; notes the recent revelations regarding the competency of both security firms in the justice sector; further notes, with concern, the possible risks to public safety and the reputation of the service should it be outsourced which was highlighted by the Government in its restricted Ministry of Justice risk register; recognises that the probation service is at present meeting or exceeding all of its targets and has won the prestigious British Quality Foundation Award for Excellence; and calls on the Government to take into account the views of trade unions, charities and those who responded to the Transforming Rehabilitation consultation, most of whom voiced their overwhelming rejection of Government plans, and abandon proceeding with its privatisation agenda.
501 DARLASTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB AND GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL 10:9:13
2That this House notes the closure of Darlaston Town Football Club (DTFC) owing to financial difficulties at the beginning of the 2013-14 season; further notes the part DTFC has played in the community since it was founded in 1874; welcomes the decision by supporters to re-register the club with the Birmingham FA; praises the effort to raise £5,000 so that the club can be re-established and compete again in the 2014-15 season; wishes DTFC great success in the future; further notes Chairman of the Football Association Greg Dyke's comments on the importance of home-grown players reaching the highest levels of the game; believes that grassroots clubs can play a crucial role in achieving a higher national standard if the Football Association (FA) offers appropriate support; calls on the Premier League clubs and the FA to do more in supporting grassroots football at every level; and further calls on the Government to foster grassroots development in football.
502 REMEMBERING EDMUND DENE MOREL MP 10:9:13
14That this House commemorates 140 years since the birth of E D Morel, the 17th hon. Member for Dundee, who led the international campaign against the abject abuses in the Congo by King Leopold II of Belgium at the turn of the last century; pays homage to his dedication to the Congo Reform Association and his early work in championing human rights for all; commends the Save the Congo campaign for establishing the Morel Prize to keep his extraordinary legacy alive and congratulates the two inaugural winners of the 2013 Morel Prize, the former Lord Bishop of Winchester, the Reverend Michael Scott-Joynt and V-Day founder Eve Ensler for their role in defending the Congolese people in recent years; and calls on the Government to establish a memorial in E D Morel's memory.
503 ARMS SALES TO AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES 10:9:13
11That this House notes that the arms export priority markets for the UK Trade and Investment's Defence and Security Organisation in 2013-14 included Libya, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates; further notes that the UK hosts one of the world's largest arms shows, Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi); agrees with the Committees on Arms Export Controls, in its report on Scrutiny of Arms Exports and Arms Controls, HC 205, published on 17 July 2013, that the Government would do well to acknowledge that there is an inherent conflict between strongly promoting arms exports to authoritarian regimes whilst strongly criticising their lack of human rights at the same time rather than claiming, as the Government continues to do, that these two policies are mutually reinforcing; is appalled that the Russian State Technology Corporation, Rostec, one of the main arms suppliers to President al-Assad of Syria, is exhibiting at DSEi 2013; and calls on the Government to end the promotion and export of military equipment to all authoritarian regimes.
504 LONDON CONGESTION CHARGE UNOFFICIAL WEBSITE 10:9:13
5That this House notes that the website www.londoncongestion.com/tfl is the first website that comes up when drivers search online for paying the London congestion charge; further notes that this website looks like the official Transport for London (TfL) congestion charge website; further notes that if you pay the congestion charge on this website, it charges £16 rather than £10 per day; further notes that many drivers are paying the congestion charge through this unauthorised site in the belief that they are making a payment directly to TfL; believes that this constitutes a fraud on drivers paying the congestion charge; and demands immediate action by the Mayor of London and the police to close this site down, seize all information held by the perpetrators of this site relating to the card details of those who have paid into it and prosecute the perpetrators.
505 REMUNERATION PACKAGE OF THE FORMER WEST YORKSHIRE CHIEF CONSTABLE 10:9:13
2That this House deplores the secret deal concluded in 2009 by the then West Yorkshire Police Authority which provided Chief Constable Norman Bettison with perks worth over £70,000 a year in addition to his salary of £170,000; points out that this sweetheart arrangement involved £34,594 a year for a private vehicle, despite him having a staff car and driver, £9,148 for health and well-being including private health insurance and gym membership, as well as half of all telephone bills; questions why this deal which was manifestly of public interest was kept secret; asks why if it was a good deal for the public it was not made public; queries the legal advice given to the authority as subsequently similar deals have been struck out; notes that Mr Bettison resigned as Chief Constable last year after he faced criticism for his role in the controversial police investigation into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool football fans died; further notes that the Independent Police Complaints Commission has concluded that he has a case to answer over his conduct and over concerns about a police report into a witness who gave evidence to the MacPherson Inquiry into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence; and further notes that the chair of the authority who made the private deal is Mark Burns-Williamson who is now West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and demands that he answers why he signed off on such a secret and highly-questionable deal.
506 BAUER MEDIA GROUP 11:9:13
3That this House notes the expanding presence of the Bauer Media Group (BMG) in the UK; further notes that the parent company of BMG in Germany is responsible for a publication called Der Landser which has been described by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre as a magazine that is 'desecrating the memory of the Holocaust and glorifying Nazism'; and calls on BMG to cease publishing Der Landser and, in the event of BMG failing to do so, for Ofcom to apply a fit and proper person test to BMG.
507 LORD HAYHOE 11:9:13
2That this House notes with appreciation and affection the life and public service of the late Barney Hayhoe, recognising his distinction as an engineer, his experience in international youth assemblies and his notable marriage with Anne lasting 50 years.
508 40 YEARS OF COMMERCIAL RADIO 11:9:13
7That this House congratulates commercial radio on marking 40 years since its launch in October 1973; applauds the contribution of this sector in providing four decades of public value through its mix of music, news, sport and entertainment; notes the enduring popularity of commercial radio, which still attracts over 35 million people each week, despite the increasing pressure on traditional media and audience fragmentation; believes that a strong commercial radio sector competing with the BBC is good for audiences and media plurality; and calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that the legislative and regulatory framework supports this outcome.
509 UK COAL INSOLVENCY 11:9:13
7That this House is aware of the circumstances resulting from the insolvency of the coal production company UK Coal which caused major job losses and resulted in the reduction by at least 10 per cent of their ex-employees' and widows' pensions, and retirees' loss of concessionary coal allowances; is further aware that concessionary fuel was a historic agreement transferred under the Coal Industry Act 1994 with the protection of the TUPE agreement which gave the provision of coal to current miners, ex-miners and their widows for their lifetimes; and understands the Government’s reluctance to involve itself in the debts of this failed company, but believes it has an obligation towards those current employees, ex-employees and their widows who should be protected against such loss.
510 HEDLEY VERITY 11:9:13
2That this House commemorates, on the seventieth anniversary of his death, the life of Headingley man Hedley Verity, a war hero and celebrated sportsman; notes that Mr Verity left school at age fourteen to work for his father's coal business while maintaining his commitment to improving his cricket game, emblematic of a career defined just as much by humbleness as by hard work and grit; acknowledges Mr Verity's vast accomplishments as one of the most effective slow left-arm bowlers in the history of English cricket, which included playing in four Ashes series, highlighted by his performance in the 1934 series when he took 15 for 104, including 14 wickets in a day; further acknowledges that Mr Verity was as equally renowned for his sportsmanship as his cricketing skills, with a former rival saying that he never once heard him complain or offer a criticism; recognises that Mr Verity eventually made the ultimate sacrifice to his country when he died of battle wounds following the assault on Catania in July 1943 in the Second World War, after quickly rising in the ranks to captain; commends the fact that his memory is honoured and celebrated by the Wetherspoon's Hedley Verity pub in Leeds; and further recognises that Mr Verity set an example in his life, through his conduct both on and off the cricket pitch and his dedication to both the sport and his country, to which all of today's cricketers can aspire.
511 OTLEY ROTARY CLUB EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY 11:9:13
2That this House congratulates Otley Rotary Club as it celebrates 80 years of successful fundraising; applauds all presidents and members past and present for their strong efforts in raising money for a great variety of national and international charities; commends the hard work of the men and women who founded the club in 1933 and began many years of successful work; praises the continued success of the annual dinner as a celebration of the charter of its foundation; welcomes the upcoming Charter Dinner that brings together several Rotary Clubs in the Yorkshire District; further congratulates the initiative illustrated by all members in their fundraising ideas and variety in choice of charities across the world to enrich compassion and understanding for a multitude of causes including recent fundraising for charities helping communities in Africa; and expresses its commitment to ensuring that groups such as the Otley Rotary Club are supported and appreciated for their tireless volunteering.
512 HEADINGLEY ROTARY CLUB FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY 11:9:13
2That this House congratulates Headingley Rotary Club as it celebrates 40 years of successful fundraising; commends all presidents and members past and present for their hard work raising money for a huge variety of different charities across the world; celebrates the hard-working men and women who founded the club in 1973 and began many years of successful work; welcomes the success of its 40th year celebratory lunch as a time to remember the history of the club and look to the future of community fundraising in Headingley and Leeds; further commends the exceptional civic activism which has seen the club fulfil the Rotary International motto, We're for Communities, time and time again over the past 40 years; further welcomes the initiative shown by all members in their fundraising ideas and choices of charities across the world to support promoting understanding and compassion for a multitude of different causes both close to home and further afield; and expresses its commitment to ensuring groups like Headingley Rotary Club are supported and appreciated for the work they voluntarily do.
513 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 11:9:13
5That this House welcomes Small Business Saturday 2013 on 7 December; encourages all hon. Members to take part and shop in a local small business on 7 December; recognises that Small Business Saturday has been a huge success in the United States where it was supported by President Obama and led to 100 million Americans spending $5.5 billion; understands that small businesses are at the heart of local communities; and believes that in the critical Christmas period small businesses will benefit from the support of Small Business Saturday on the busiest shopping day of the year.
514 CATS AND DOGS IN SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS 11:9:13
6That this House notes that 202 cats and 3,214 dogs were used in experiments in Great Britain in 2012; believes that many people will find it unacceptable that these animals continue to be used in laboratories, with one in four homes being shared with at least one dog and one in five being shared with at least one cat; further notes that many people consider their companion animals to be their best friends and would not want them, or any other companion animals to be used in laboratories; and supports the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in calling on the Government to issue a policy statement to end the use of cats and dogs in experiments.
515 GIBRALTAR (No. 2) 11:9:13
6That this House supports the people of Gibraltar at this time of Spanish aggression; reaffirms the promise that as long as Gibraltar wishes to remain British it will have the backing of this House; and calls for the application of any and all diplomatic pressure possible to ensure that Spain ceases its most recent belligerence and allows the people of Gibraltar to carry out their lives without unnecessary agitation.
516 TRANSPORT FOR LONDON FARES FOR 2014 11:9:13
24That this House notes that London commuter fares have become the most expensive in the world and are an ever increasing pressure on Londoners' household budgets while real wages are falling and bills are rising; further notes that since 2008 the cost of a single bus journey in London has increased by 56 per cent and that a zone one to six travel card is £400 a year more expensive; further notes that Transport for London has reported unbudgeted operational surpluses for the previous three years and is showing evidence of regularly under-anticipating fares income and over estimating other expenditures; and calls on the Mayor of London to use his discretion to freeze fares at RPI for 2014, easing the pressure on ordinary Londoners during the current cost of living crisis.
517 DEATH OF MR ATAOLLAH REZVANI 11:9:13
2That this House notes the killing in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran of Mr Ataollah Rezvani, an Iranian Bahá'í; believes that he was killed further to being harassed at the hands of the Ministry of Intelligence and having received threatening messages from persons unknown; observes that this is the first clear case of a religiously motivated killing of a Bahá'í in Iran in 15 years and represents a grave escalation of the persecution of Iran's Bahá'ís who have been subjected to incitement to hatred and violence with impunity that has been reported by various actors including United Nations Special Rapporteurs in recent years; and urges the Government to press for the Iranian authorities to bring the responsible persons to justice.
518 WALK ON WALES 11:9:13
8That this House congratulates Walk on Wales on its 870 mile walk around Wales to raise money for Combat Stress and the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal and to raise awareness of stress and mental health illness among armed forces personnel and veterans; welcomes the progress that has been made in providing services for veterans including a Veterans Minister and the Armed Forces Covenant over the last 10 years; and further calls for health services to have access to armed forces medical records to ensure early diagnosis and adequate treatment of mental health illness.