House of Commons
28th January 2014
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

966 HOMOPHOBIA IN FOOTBALL 20:1:14
Mr John Leech
Sir Alan Meale
Mark Durkan
Jim Dobbin
Sir Peter Bottomley
Lady Hermon
*16
Sir Menzies Campbell

That this House welcomes former Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger's decision to announce his sexuality; supports Gainsborough Trinity player Liam Davis, Britain's only male openly gay semi-professional or professional footballer; further supports efforts to eradicate homophobic abuse from football by campaigns such as the Football Association-backed Football v. Homophobia campaign; notes the positive changes that have occurred since Justin Fashanu came out in 1990; recognises there is still more progress to be made to remove homophobia in football; and calls on all clubs, supporters, football authorities, police and relevant authorities to work together to eradicate this abuse.

968 BETTER ENERGY CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 21:1:14
Robert Halfon
Jim Shannon
David Simpson
Jim Dobbin
Sir Alan Meale
Dr William McCrea
*21
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray

That this House condemns Better Energy for charging consumers 10 pence more per day for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

969 ATLANTIC CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 21:1:14
Robert Halfon
Jim Shannon
David Simpson
Jim Dobbin
Sir Alan Meale
Dr William McCrea
*20
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray

That this House condemns Atlantic for charging consumers up to £40 per annum per fuel type for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

970 BRITISH GAS CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 21:1:14
Robert Halfon
Jim Shannon
David Simpson
Jim Dobbin
Sir Alan Meale
Dr William McCrea
*21
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray

That this House condemns British Gas for charging consumers an average of £73 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

971 SOCIAL ECONOMY ALLIANCE 21:1:14
Hazel Blears [R]
Mark Durkan
Ms Margaret Ritchie
Jim Shannon
Jim Dobbin
Sir Alan Meale
*18
Mr George Howarth Dame Anne Begg Chris Ruane

That this House welcomes the Social Economy Alliance, a new voice on the economy, made up of more than 20 respected social and co-operative enterprises, universities, think tanks, social finance and housing associations; recognises that social and economic policy must be mutually reinforcing and that the UK can foster bottom-up economic growth and take advantage of the many innovations the social sector has created; further recognises that social enterprises and co-operatives are outperforming mainstream businesses and that alternative banks have better returns on assets as well as lower volatility and higher growth, and that these organisations are economically successful while having a positive impact on society and the environment; and calls on the Government to ensure much greater alignment between social and economic policy-making to meet the needs of communities around the UK.

[R] Relevant Interest declared
976 CONDUCT OF MORTGAGE LENDERS 22:1:14
David Morris
Mr Mike Hancock
Sir Bob Russell
Bob Blackman
Sir Alan Meale
Mr Nigel Dodds
*18
Mr Adrian Sanders Annette Brooke Naomi Long

That this House condemns mortgage lenders breaching tracker rate mortgage contracts by unilaterally increasing the margin they charge over the Bank of England base rate in order to increase their profit margins and deliberately targeting borrowers where consumer protection law is ambiguous; and calls on the Government to investigate the alleged associated recent activities of the Bank of Ireland and West Bromwich Building Society.

983 BROWNIES 100th ANNIVERSARY 22:1:14
Sir Bob Russell
Bob Blackman
Sir Alan Meale
Mr Nigel Dodds
John McDonnell
Lady Hermon
*9
Mr James Gray Annette Brooke Dr William McCrea

That this House congratulates the Brownies on their 100th anniversary year which has just commenced; notes that a quarter of all eight-year-old girls in the UK are in Brownie packs, the section of the Guide movement for those aged eight to 10; recognises that the evolution of the programme of activities enjoyed by Brownies over the decades has kept pace with the needs and aspirations of this age group within what is now known as Girlguiding UK; pays tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts in 1907 and Girl Guides in 1910, for establishing the Rosebuds in 1914 with the name changed to Brownies the following year; places on record its appreciation to all the uniformed leaders and helpers who have contributed to the success of the Brownies over the last 100 years; and wishes the Brownies continuing success in the years ahead.

985 E.ON ENERGY CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 22:1:14
Robert Halfon
Bob Blackman
Jim Shannon
Sir Alan Meale
Mr Nigel Dodds
Sir Bob Russell
*10
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns E.ON for charging consumers up to £70 per year for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls on the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

986 EDF ENERGY CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 22:1:14
Robert Halfon
Bob Blackman
Jim Shannon
Sir Alan Meale
Mr Nigel Dodds
Sir Bob Russell
*10
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns EDF Energy for charging consumers up to £74 per year for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debt; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls on the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

991 NPOWER CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 24:1:14
Robert Halfon
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
David Simpson
Glenda Jackson
Sir Peter Bottomley
Ms Margaret Ritchie
*9
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns NPower for charging consumers up to £90 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

992 FIRST UTILITY CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 24:1:14
Robert Halfon
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
David Simpson
Glenda Jackson
Sir Peter Bottomley
Ms Margaret Ritchie
*10
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns First Utility for charging consumers up to £96 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

993 M&S ENERGY CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 24:1:14
Robert Halfon
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
David Simpson
Glenda Jackson
Sir Peter Bottomley
Ms Margaret Ritchie
*10
Mark Durkan Mr James Gray Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns M&S Energy for charging consumers up to £80 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

994 ALPHA-1 ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY 24:1:14
Mark Pawsey
Mark Durkan
Sir Peter Bottomley
Jim Shannon
Ms Margaret Ritchie
Dr William McCrea
*6

That this House is aware that Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a rare genetic disorder that most commonly results in lung and liver disease leading to significant disability and early mortality; understands that extensive expertise in Alpha-1 exists within the NHS but that there is considerable variation across the country in patient access to specialists and Alpha-1 therapy; notes that there is currently no care model within the NHS that provides integrated multi-disciplinary management for the unique needs of patients with this complex disease; and believes that this can be best addressed with the establishment of a nationally commissioned highly specialised service for Alpha-1.

995 MESOTHELIOMA 24:1:14
Tracey Crouch
Mr John Leech
Mark Durkan
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
David Simpson
Glenda Jackson
*14
Mr Graham Brady Annette Brooke Dr William McCrea John Mann Naomi Long

That this House notes with concern that mesothelioma is an invasive form of lung cancer caused primarily by prior exposure to asbestos; recognises that there is currently no cure for this devastating disease and that mesothelioma patients frequently have a very short life expectancy and experience complex debilitating symptoms; further notes that the UK has the highest rate of the disease in the world and that over the next 30 years more than 50,000 people will die of mesothelioma in the UK unless new treatments are found; believes that investment in research into the causes and potential cures for mesothelioma is desperately needed; pays tribute to the great work of the former hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe and Sale East, the late Paul Goggins, to raise the profile of the need for long-term investment into mesothelioma research; and calls on the Government to facilitate the establishment of a long-term sustainable mesothelioma research scheme funded by the insurance industry.

996 WITHHOLDING OF PUBLIC RECORDS 27:1:14
Mr George Galloway
Mark Durkan
Ms Margaret Ritchie
*3

That this House demands that more than a million files retained by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at the Hanslope Park communications centre be released to the National Archives; points out that these papers date back 150 years and take in, among other crucial historical events, British involvement in the slave trade, the Crimean War, the Kenya Mau Mau emergency and the Cold War; believes that these papers are crucial to any impartial examination of UK foreign and colonial policy; and urges the Government to agree with the requests of prominent UK scholars to declassify these records and make them available to historians and archivists.

1001 MAKE SPECIAL OFFERS SPECIAL 27:1:14
Katy Clark
John McDonnell
Mrs Mary Glindon
Jim McGovern
Rosie Cooper
Michael Connarty
*23
Jim Shannon Mr Adrian Sanders Ms Margaret Ritchie Mr Dennis Skinner

That this House backs consumer charity Which?'s Make Special Offers Special campaign which draws attention to inaccurate discounts and misleading multibuys in the UK's grocery industry; expresses concern at inaccurate was/now pricing where products are on discount for substantially longer periods than at the higher price; believes it is unacceptable that some grocers increase the price of products when they put them on multibuy offer therefore costing customers more during the multibuy period; further expresses disappointment that Which? has identified poor practice from each of the big four supermarkets; and urges the Government to make its Pricing Practices Guide simpler, clearer and stricter in line with Which?'s recommendations.

1002 130th ANNIVERSARY OF CCHF ALL ABOUT THE KIDS 27:1:14
Alan Johnson
Jim Fitzpatrick
Jim Shannon
Sir Peter Bottomley
Mike Gapes
*5

That this House congratulates CCHF All About Kids, formerly the Children's Country Holiday Fund, on its 130th anniversary and commends the work of all its volunteers, supporters and donors who provide disadvantaged children with residential activity and respite breaks; notes that the charity has helped over two million children since it was founded; welcomes the contribution it makes to improving the quality of children's lives and in helping them to recognise their potential; and recognises and supports the role of the charity in helping to transform the lives of vulnerable young children by helping them to become more confident, positive and self-sufficient.

1003 10th ANNIVERSARY OF MORECAMBE BAY COCKLE PICKER TRAGEDY 27:1:14
Jim Sheridan
John Robertson
Jeremy Corbyn
Mark Lazarowicz
Mr David Anderson
Alex Cunningham
*24
Mark Durkan David Simpson Chris Ruane

That this House commemorates the 10th anniversary of the death of 23 Chinese cockle pickers at Morecambe Bay; recognises that their death was a dominant factor in the creation of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority; but is disappointed that the opportunity to extend the remit of the Authority into other sectors has to date been rejected.

As an Amendment to Jim Sheridan's proposed Motion (10th Anniversary Of Morecambe Bay Cockle Picker Tragedy):

David Morris
*1

Line4, at end add '; notes that the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is currently working with the GLA to ensure that the GLA bears down on abuse to protect vulnerable workers while working effectively in a business-friendly manner to reduce the burden of red tape for bona fide businesses; further notes that in 2012 a byelaw came into force in Morecambe Bay which states that no person shall gather cockles or mussels without possession of a full gathering permit; and further notes that the Government is currently working with the North West Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority in drafting a hybrid order under the Shellfish Act 1968 which will regulate access to specific portions of Morecambe Bay.'. 27:1:14(a1)

1004 DOLPHIN HUNTING IN JAPAN 27:1:14
Sir Nick Harvey
Mark Durkan
Sir Peter Bottomley
Ms Margaret Ritchie
Ms Diane Abbott
Annette Brooke
*8
Sir Greg Knight David Simpson

That this House condemns the recent slaughter of over 40 wild dolphins in Taiji, on Japan's Pacific coast; notes with concern the capture of a further 52 dolphins for sale to aquariums and other customers including a rare albino dolphin calf, separated from its mother and now kept in captivity in Taiji Whale Museum; further notes with alarm the Japanese government's continued support for the practice by issuing quotas for the killing of over 20,000 dolphins, whales and porpoises in its coastal waters every year, despite the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling; deplores the inhumane slaughtering method of severing the dolphin's spinal cord with a metal spike; is further concerned that the practice of dolphin hunting may be driving some populations to extinction; is alarmed by the high levels of mercury and other toxins found in dolphin, whale and propoise food products, with reports suggesting dolphin meat is up to 5,000 times more toxic than levels allowed by the World Health Organisation; welcomes the statements made by the US Ambassador to Japan and the British Ambassador to Japan, Timothy Hitchens, opposing all forms of dolphin and porpoise drives; calls on the Taiji Whale Museum to release the albino dolphin calf from captivity; and calls on the Government to continue to raise the issue with the Japanese government at the highest level.

1005 SAINSBURY'S ENERGY CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 27:1:14
Robert Halfon
Jim Shannon
Sir Peter Bottomley
Mr James Gray
Sir Greg Knight
David Simpson
*7
Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns Sainsbury's Energy for charging consumers an average of £73 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

1006 SCOTTISH HYDRO CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 27:1:14
Robert Halfon
Jim Shannon
Sir Peter Bottomley
Mr James Gray
David Simpson
Dr William McCrea
*6

That this House condemns Scottish Hydro for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

1007 POWER NI CHARGES FOR NOT PAYING BY DIRECT DEBIT 27:1:14
Robert Halfon
Jim Shannon
Mark Durkan
Sir Peter Bottomley
Mr James Gray
Sir Greg Knight
*8
David Simpson Dr William McCrea

That this House condemns Power NI for charging consumers up to £40 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

1008 ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1984-85 MINERS' STRIKE 28:1:14
Fiona O'Donnell
Graeme Morrice
Lindsay Roy
*3

That this House notes that March 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the 1984-85 miners' strike; further notes that strike's devastating impact on coalfield communities throughout the UK, including those in the Lothians; commends the many thousands of people across the UK who showed solidarity with the striking miners in their local communities; regrets that nearly 30 years after the strike ended, there are still men who were wrongly arrested or convicted during the dispute, who have never received justice; and welcomes plans to commemorate the strike's anniversary in East Lothian and in other communities across the UK.

1009 MOHAMMAD ASGHAR 28:1:14
Mike Crockart
*1

That this House reiterates its opposition to the use of the death penalty under any circumstances; notes with concern the death sentence handed down to UK citizen Mohammad Asghar in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy; further notes that Mr Asghar has previously been diagnosed and treated for significant mental ill health; believes that the use of the death penalty on individuals suffering from mental ill health is contrary to the principle of natural justice; urges Pakistan to abide by the moratorium they have on the death penalty; and calls on the Pakistani authorities to review Mr Asghar's case as a matter of urgency.

1010 PETE SEEGER 28:1:14
Jeremy Corbyn
John McDonnell
*2

That this House notes with sadness the passing of American singer, folk-song collector and songwriter Pete Seeger aged 94, whose songs were designed to inspire social change and promote a greener and cleaner environment via performances and appearances at civil rights marches, labour, union and anti-war rallies, college auditoriums, folk festivals, and in front of the US House Un-American Activities Committee, and subsequently in prison, as well as on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and more; further notes his infamous adaption of the negro spiritual song, We Shall Overcome, as a civil rights anthem and his Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, that became an anti-war standard; further notes his co-operation with the likes of Woody Allen and Bob Dylan among many others in voicing his views, particularly about American and international political direction; and further notes that his blacklisting and later indictment for contempt of Congress during McCarthyism cost him dearly in his musical life but will have been in accordance with his priorities which included a virulent anti-commercialism streak and a passion for peace.

1011 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY 28:1:14
Mr David Ward
Chloe Smith
*2

That this House welcomes the Bite the Ballot campaign National Voter Registration Day (NVRD), supported by Asda Stores, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Centrepoint, Parliament, Citizenship Foundation, London Youth, the National Union of Students, Rock the Vote, SB.TV, Teach First, The Student Room, vInspired and others that aims to encourage 250,000 new electors to join the electoral register on 5 February 2014; acknowledges and welcomes the Government's commitment to get more people - especially younger people - and under-represented groups to join the electoral register in advance of the transition to individual electoral registration; notes that nearly half of 18 to 24 year olds are not on the register and that in some regions only a third of 16 to 17 year olds are registered; believes that to deliver its commitment the Government must now encourage support and promote NVRD - an annual day of action that involves youth clubs, community groups, educational establishments, businesses and individual campaigners across the UK registering people to vote; recognises that this initiative is supported by the APPG on Voter Registration with unanimous cross-party support from members of both Houses, the Electoral Commission and the Association of Electoral Administrators; further believes that NVRD will illustrate what can be achieved when the social enterprise, voluntary, charity and business sectors work in partnership to inspire young people to take part in the democratic process; and urges the Government to recognise the importance of NVRD in creating an engaged and inspired electorate in advance of forthcoming elections and referenda.

1012 THE OUTER HEBRIDES MOST SCENIC LANDSCAPE TOURIST DESTINATION 28:1:14
Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil
Mr Stephen Hepburn
Mrs Anne McGuire
*3

That this House congratulates the scenic Outer Hebrides for being listed favourite UK travel destination after the cities of London and Edinburgh in the biggest ever survey of UK's travel journalists; notes that Luskentyre Beach in the Isle of Harris in Na h-Eileanan an Iar was voted one of the best UK beaches by the 101 Holidays survey and 16th best beach in the world by CNN; further notes the recognition from Tom Hall, editor of Lonely Planet, that one of the greatest adventures he had experienced was flying on a small aircraft and landing onto a beach in the Outer Hebrides; acknowledges that the Standing Stones of Calanish in the Isle of Lewis raised around 2,800BC, predating Stonehenge, have been described as the best and most intricate standing stones in the British Isles, and which may have had an early tourist from Greece in the form of explorer and geographer, Pytheas in 325BC; further acknowledges that the archaeological site at Cladh Hallan on South Uist is the only site in these islands where prehistoric mummies have been found, and were older than most of the mummies found in Egypt; recognises the historical fact that on 23 July 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stuart first set foot on Scottish soil on the island of Eriskay; and celebrates that the Outer Hebrides proudly remains the main stronghold of the Scottish Gaelic language, which has the oldest cultural continuity of any language of Britain, and that the islands continue to use Gaelic and promote its active learning for the existing and future generations to come.

Prepared 29th January 2014