Session 2013-14
House of Commons
21st October 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
557 SUPPORTING IRISH IMMIGRANTS 14:10:13
24That this House acknowledges that many of the Irish emigrants who came to the UK in the 1950s are now elderly and that some are facing isolation and poverty; believes that some Irish emigrants who came here are still among the most marginalised groups in society; thanks the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain (ICB) for supporting many vulnerable and isolated Irish emigrants in the UK, irrespective of beliefs and attitude to the Christian church; and further acknowledges the wide range of welfare services provided by ICB and other organisations including the Southwark Irish Pensioners Project which works with Irish older people, and other organisations which have worked with members of the Irish Traveller community and Irish prisoners for up to five decades.
558 HEARING SCREENING PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE AGED 65 14:10:13
24That this House recognises the debilitating effects that age-onset hearing loss can have on a person's life by significantly reducing their ability to communicate effectively with friends, family and work colleagues, leading to loneliness and isolation; further recognises that hearing loss can exacerbate a number of other conditions including dementia; acknowledges that age-onset hearing loss affects over 10 million people in the UK and this number is on the increase; notes that a hearing screening programme for people aged 65 would ensure individuals adapt better to hearing aids earlier in their life, thus providing a greater success rate which would ensure better management of their hearing loss; and supports calls for the National Screening Committee to instigate such a Hearing Screening Programme.
559 STANDARDISED PACKAGING OF TOBACCO 14:10:13
16That this House welcomes the research by the British Heart Foundation into the impact of standardised packaging of cigarettes in Australia; notes that of the 2,500 young people interviewed, more Australian than UK teenagers were discouraged from taking up smoking because of the packaging; further notes that 77 per cent of UK and 66 per cent of Australian teenagers support the introduction of standardised packaging; further notes that 59 per cent of Australian teenagers say that standardised packaging deters them from smoking; acknowledges the findings of a study by the Cancer Council of Victoria which showed that, when young people view packs stripped of colours and logos, they believe the cigarettes are lower quality, will taste worse and are less appealing; recognises that Australia's standardised cigarette packaging policy has proved a success in discouraging people taking up the habit; and therefore calls on the Government to press ahead with its plans to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products in order to deter young people from taking up smoking, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and saving the NHS billions of pounds in the long run.
560 INTERNATIONAL CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN BANGLADESH 14:10:13
15That this House notes that questions have been raised about the procedures being used for the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh; further notes that this tribunal has been used to impose the death penalty on opposition politicians such as Abdul Kader Mullah; calls on the Government to urge Bangladesh to cease the use of the death penalty; and further calls for an international review of the procedures being used for this tribunal.
561 TRANSFERS FROM EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE TO JOBSEEKER'S ALLOWANCE 14:10:13
20That this House notes that Government policy is that people whose employment and support allowance (ESA) is ceasing are to be able to claim jobseeker's allowance or income support; further notes that in many cases people are not being told to make a further claim; further notes that these people end up without financial support; and calls on the Government to warn people that they need to make a claim if ESA ceases.
562 ALLIANCE BOOTS AND TAX REFORM 14:10:13
40That this House regrets that corporate tax avoidance costs the UK Exchequer billions annually, and that several international companies have been largely responsible; is dismayed to learn from the report Alliance Boots and the Need for Corporate Tax Reform, published by Unite/War On Want/Change to Win, that Alliance Boots, an ostensibly British company, has lawfully avoided more than £1 billion in corporate taxes since 2007 when it entered private ownership in the largest leveraged buyout in UK corporate history, following which the company reincorporated in the tax haven of Zug, Switzerland, where it earns no revenue, and is controlled by entities in Luxembourg, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands; is concerned that it avoided taxes by loading most of the £9 billion buyout debt onto the highly profitable UK business, thus shifting profits abroad; notes that Alliance Boots significantly lowered its UK tax bill while deriving an estimated 40 per cent of its revenue from UK taxpayers, primarily via NHS prescriptions; further notes that Alliance Boots is seeking to increase its taxpayer-financed profits on the back of NHS privatisation; and calls on Alliance Boots to fully disclose its profits and taxes for all countries where it has significant revenue, on HM Revenue and Customs to comprehensively investigate Alliance Boots' tax practices, and on the Government to modernise the taxation of private-equity and heavily debt-financed businesses, and to require companies to disclose significant revenues that are derived from public sector contracts, and to reform the financial and taxation regulations in British Overseas Territories.
563 HUMANITARIAN WORK IN MALAWI 14:10:13
17That this House congratulates the teams from Glasgow's City Building and Access who recently travelled to Malawi to deliver humanitarian aid; notes that the trip to Malawi is through the Lord Provost Office as sole organiser for City Building and Access; further notes that the City Building has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise Sustainable Development; further notes that the City Building team was made up of seven staff and two apprentices and the Access team, four staff, and that, in 12 days, they used their skills to refurbish a building that had been lying empty; further notes that 14 rooms were refurbished and the building was rewired and made accessible to all by the addition of a ramp; further notes that the team also built a small children's play area beside the building; considers that this was a challenging build and a difficult timeframe to meet but that the team rose to the challenge; further considers this is a great example of the work being done by many organisations from Glasgow and across the UK to assist around the world; and commends the City Building team of Scott McEwan, Paul Brown, Graham Robb, Martin Bredin, Simon Young, Chris Devlin, Lee Thomson, Lee Raeburn and Paul Carey and the Access team of Robert McPhee, Sammy Birnie, Maria Zon Quintas and Ashley Bickerstaff for their hard work in refurbishing this building, which, it considers, will have a lasting impact on the community.
565 SYRIAN REFUGEES 14:10:13
19That this House recognises the scale of the current refugee crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in Syria; welcomes the UK's contribution to the humanitarian aid effort so far; is concerned that despite this support countries bordering Syria are struggling to cope with the numbers of refugees and believes that this threatens the stability of the region; further recognises the UK's proud tradition of protecting refugees and providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution and war; further recognises that the UK has long sheltered a Syrian diaspora, many of whom have family links to those currently fleeing Syria; regrets that the UK is not one of the 17 countries participating in the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) resettlement programme; notes that Germany has agreed to transfer 5,000 Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Germany; and calls on the Government to work with the UNHCR and the international community to institute an emergency humanitarian evacuation programme and to establish a resettlement programme in the UK.
567 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE 14:10:13
27That this House recognises that firefighters dedicate their professional lives to keeping their communities safe; notes that cuts to the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) put the public at great risk; further notes that the Government's expectation of firefighters continuing to perform their duties until 60 years of age further compromises public safety; supports the stance of the Fire Brigades Union in defence of the FRS and their pensions; and calls on the Government to ensure that there are no further cuts to the FRS and to protect the pensions of its workforce.
568 NUCLEAR SUBSIDIES AND THE COALITION AGREEMENT 14:10:13
11That this House recalls the Coalition Agreement said that new nuclear power stations would be permitted 'provided that they receive no public subsidy'; believes that the present proposed deals guarantee a fixed subsidy for 40 years at double the current cost of electricity; further notes that any future cost escalation will be paid for from the public purse as a subsidy; further notes that the current nuclear waste clean-up costs being met by taxpayers add up to over £75 billion; further believes that any deal done with Chinese financiers to support the building of nuclear power plants will inevitably result in massive future liabilities to British taxpayers; and calls on the Coalition to honour its own agreement and cancel all subsidies.
569 BANGLADESH INTERNATIONAL CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND CASE OF ABDUL KADER MULLAH 15:10:13
15That this House is very concerned about the failure of the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which despite its name is a domestic court, to uphold international fair trial standards; is particularly alarmed about the denial of due process rights in the case of Abdul Kader Mullah, a leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party convicted of war crimes, who has recently been sentenced to death with no possibility of the sentence being reviewed, in contravention of Bangladesh's international human rights obligations; notes also the criticisms raised in connection with the trial of the Bangladesh National Party MP, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, who was recently convicted on charges including murder and genocide and sentenced to death, subject to an appeal; notes that, while holding perpetrators to account for the atrocities committed in the 1971 war of independence is important, the denial of due process in these trials threatens to undermine the very legitimacy of the ICT and result in further political instability and violence; and calls on the Government to raise these concerns as a matter of urgency with the government of Bangladesh and to urge it to end the possibility of the death penalty being handed down in these trials and allow legal experts from the international community to support the work of the ICT.
570 POST OFFICE SERVICES IN HEVERSHAM 15:10:13
6That this House notes the importance of Post Office services to communities; further notes that access to these services is even more vital in rural areas; notes that many villages in the South Lakeland area already benefit from having a post office; and calls on Post Office Ltd to seriously consider bringing a Post Office service back to Heversham so that that area can share the same benefits.
573 BRITISH POLIO FELLOWSHIP 15:10:13
21That this House records with appreciation the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the British Polio Fellowship; notes that the work of this charity, established in 1939, has helped to provide practical support for those affected by polio and more recently Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) and as a result has made a concentrated effort to promote the fact that polio cannot be entirely consigned to the history books; recognises that a greater understanding of PPS amongst healthcare professionals is essential in order to tackle this problem more effectively; wishes the organisation every success in its efforts to inform healthcare professionals in order to improve the quality of life for an estimated 120,000 people living in the UK today with PPS; and calls on the Department of Health to bring forward a strategy to address the needs of those suffering from PPS and to publicise those needs within the medical profession.
577 DIVERSITY IN THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION COMMISSION 15:10:13
9That this House encourages diversity and representation of UK society and current football players in the Football Association Commission; notes that there are no ethnic minority members of the Football Association Commission; acknowledges that 25 per cent of professional football players are from an ethnic minority background; welcomes the steps that have been taken to encourage diversity in English football such as the Kick it Out racism campaign; and calls on the Football Association to ensure the Football Association Commission is diverse and representative of the UK.
578 DIABETES AWARENESS 15:10:13
17That this House notes that the actor Tom Hanks has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes; recognises the effect that his changing diet due to his differing roles has had on his health; hopes that this will encourage others to get a diabetes check; acknowledges that the condition is becoming an epidemic in the UK; is worried that some areas in the UK already have 10 per cent of their population as sufferers despite there being around one million people who are unaware that they have the condition; and urges the Government to ensure that some of the Health and Wellbeing Board funding is channelled towards raising awareness of diabetes.
579 TYPE 2 DIABETES DIET AND EXERCISE STUDY 15:10:13
19That this House welcomes the news that British universities will partake in a wider study into the effect of different diet and amounts of exercise on diabetes; notes that this is the first study to compare types of diet and exercise and intends to find the right lifestyle to prevent Type 2 diabetes; recognises the importance of diet, exercise and lifestyle in the prevention and combating of Type 2 diabetes; hopes that the results of the study, due in three years, will produce a firm set of guidelines for sufferers and others; and urges the Government to help GPs and healthcare practitioners to offer regular diabetes tests and guidance for those at risk.
580 FIXED ODDS BETTING TERMINALS 15:10:13
8That this House notes with disappointment that the Government has missed an opportunity to proceed with a reduction in stakes or prizes on fixed odds betting terminals in response to its consultation on proposals for changes to maximum stake and prize limits for category B, C and D gaming machines; expresses its concern that, unlike fruit machines in pubs, bingo halls and amusement arcades, where stakes are limited to £2, gamblers can bet up to £100 every 20 seconds on fixed odds betting terminals; further notes that such terminals have been pejoratively described as the crack-cocaine of gambling addiction and that they proliferate in the poorest areas, taking money away from those who can least afford it; believes that the Government's package of reforms will support the bookmakers whilst further encouraging problem gambling; and calls on the Government to reduce the maximum stakes on fixed odds betting terminals from £100 to £2 in line with all other category B machines.
582 150 YEARS OF YORKSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 16:10:13
5That this House congratulates Yorkshire County Cricket Club on its 150th anniversary following its initial first-class match against Surrey at The Oval on 4, 5 and 6 June 1863; pays tribute to its illustrious and successful history, including thirty County Championship wins; applauds its legacy of high quality sportsmanship as a leading English cricket club; acknowledges the work done by the club to promote and encourage cricket across the county; commends all players past and present on their successes; and recognises the hard work and talent of everyone involved in the club.
583 SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF 16:10:13
8That this House notes the vital role a quarter of a million school support staff play in classrooms across the country; supports the important job that teaching assistants do in helping pupils realise their potential, especially for those pupils with specific educational needs, and in ensuring that no child is left behind; acknowledges the valuable assistance school support staff provide to teachers; and calls on the Government to provide the appropriate level of resources to fully support teaching assistants in schools throughout the country.
584 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP 16:10:13
9That this House calls on the Government to set up a public registry of real beneficial owners of all UK companies and trusts, to support the establishment of public registries at an EU level and to use its influence to ensure that British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies adopt public registries of beneficial ownership; notes that the Government made key commitments to improving transparency and information on company ownership at the G8, with the Prime Minister making it clear he publicly supports public registries; further notes, however, that many of the G8 commitments have yet to be realised; observes that illicit financial flows driven by tax avoidance and evasion see US$850 billion a year leave developing countries, depriving those countries of vital capital and revenues; observes further that tax avoidance and evasion, and corruption, from and in developing countries is often facilitated by shell companies registered in both the UK and offshore financial centres, such as those in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies; and believes that public registries of the real, beneficial owners of companies and trusts would allow governments and civil society in developing countries to identify those profiting from tax evasion, corruption and sharp commercial practices, hold them to account and also deter such practices from ever happening.
586 SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY'S BIOLOGY WEEK 2013 16:10:13
8That this House celebrates the launch of the Society of Biology's second nationwide Biology Week from 12 to 18 October 2013; notes that among its key objectives is a commitment to encourage an interest in science among young people; congratulates the Society for its initiative and for the range of innovative events and activities that have been organised; further congratulates the Society for its wider role in promoting events in Parliament on behalf of the science and engineering community to assist hon. and Right hon. Members in their understanding of science; applauds the efforts that are being made throughout the UK, especially by teachers in primary and secondary schools, to revitalise the science curriculum and to convey the excitement of science to pupils and students; notes the wide range of activities organised by the Society in local communities all over the country which are designed to illustrate and focus on the vital role of biology and the biological sciences; further notes that on 16 October 2013 the Parliamentary launch of Biology Week is co-sponsored by the hon. Members for Ellesmere Port and Neston, South Basildon and East Thurrock, and Cambridge; and notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of biology and the biological sciences have made and continue to make to our understanding of nature, to the quality of life, and to the knowledge economy of the 21st century.
588 INDEPENDENT PRESCRIBING FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS 16:10:13
5That this House welcomes the announcement that the necessary legislative changes have been made to allow advance practice physiotherapists in England to become the first group in the world able to independently prescribe medicines without a doctor authorising their decision; notes that on completion of appropriate training physiotherapists will have similar prescribing responsibilities to those of other non-medical professionals, like nurses and pharmacists; recognises the major improvements in care this development will deliver, with patients being offered quicker and more direct access to the medicines and treatments they need; and urges hon.Members representing constituencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to work with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the devolved administrations to facilitate the similar legislative changes required in those countries to ensure all people in the UK have equitable access to the improvements in care this will deliver.
598 WORLD POLIO DAY 21:10:13
3That this House notes that World Polio Day is on 24 October 2013; further notes that within five years polio, like smallpox, can be eradicated across the world; recognises that in the last 25 years cases are down 99 per cent with 2.5 billion vulnerable children reached through vaccination programmes which offer a blueprint for cost-effective, targeted and outcomes-driven international public health intervention; further notes that just three countries, from an original 125, now have endemic polio – Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan; understands that vaccination programmes must focus on these countries to eradicate the disease and prevent its return elsewhere; further recognises the contribution of more than 50,000 British Rotarians towards a polio-free world through their volunteering and £20 million fundraising contribution; realises that the funding gap for this final effort to eradicate polio is a tangible £620 million; appreciates that the Government has contributed a world-leading £600 million towards eradicating polio to date; and calls on the Government to help finish the job of creating a polio-free world by continuing to commit funding, maintaining the UK's commitment to the World Health Organisation, Rotary International, CDC and Unicef's Global Polio Eradication Initiative and associated Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-18 and ensuring the UK's continued global leadership role through seeking support from international bodies, governments, non-governmental organisations, corporations and the wider general public to help eradicate this disease once and for all.
599 COMMUNITY PUBS 21:10:13
2That this House supports community pubs; notes that 80 per cent of pubs are small businesses; further notes that business rates form a significant part of a pub's fixed costs; and calls on the Government to support the British Beer and Pub Association and CAMRA's Better Rates for Pubs campaign to extend small business rate relief for pubs beyond April 2014, promote take-up of rural rate relief for pubs and review the revaluation process for pub business rates to ensure that the valuation accurately reflects the pub's actual turnover.
600 DETENTION OF KIERON BRYAN IN RUSSIA 21:10:13
5That this House notes with concern the detention by the Russian authorities of journalist Kieron Bryan who was under contract to record a film for Greenpeace when he was arrested on 19 September 2013, and is now detained in Murmansk; believes that he is neither a criminal nor a threat to the Russian state and that he should be released immediately; is dismayed that he is facing charges of piracy which carry a sentence of up to 15 years' imprisonment; and is grateful for the support given to him by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Ministers of that Department and consular staff.
601 NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE STAFF TERMS AND CONDITIONS 21:10:13
2That this House recognises the hard work and professionalism of the staff of the National Audit Office (NAO) in providing assurance on the use of public money and helping Parliament to hold those who spend it to account; asserts an interest in the welfare of NAO staff and notes with concern the attempts by NAO management to reduce the terms and conditions of existing staff, including reducing contractual sick pay and leave entitlements; is aware that with no Government departments seeking to reduce the contractual conditions of existing staff, NAO staff are facing a bigger cut to terms and conditions than all existing civil servants; is concerned that the lack of a clear financial case for these changes, especially at a time when NAO staff have a lower sickness absence rate than both the public and private sector averages, will have the potential to undermine workers' rights in other organisations should NAO management succeed in seeing through their plans; and calls on the Government and the NAO Chairman, Comptroller and Auditor General to withdraw these changes and enter into urgent talks with employees and their representatives.