Session 2014-15
House of Commons
19th June 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
54 COMMUNITY OF ARRAN SEABED TRUST 9:6:14
28That this House applauds the Community Of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) for its work to establish the south of Arran coast as a Marine Protected Area (MPA); congratulates it on gathering over 1,300 responses to a Scottish Government public consultation on MPAs, of which 99 per cent were in favour of the south of Arran MPA; notes the importance of MPAs across the globe, which promote sustainable fishing such as creeling, hand diving and sea angling, create an area protected from bottom trawling and dredging and protect important habitats and fish nursery grounds; urges the Scottish Government to act on the consultation and introduce the south of Arran MPA, as well as other MPAs, which are legally protected; further congratulates COAST on its earlier work which produced a No Take Zone (NTZ) in Lamlash Bay after 13 years of campaigning; further notes after five years the seabed in Lamlash is now 40 per cent more complex and healthier than the area outside the NTZ; further notes that there are higher densities of scallops, crabs and lobsters, both older and larger, being recorded and increased numbers of juvenile cod and haddock; and further congratulates COAST on its numerous campaigns and responses which have been submitted to influence policy decisions in favour of sustainable marine environments.
56 20 YEARS OF WOMEN PRIESTS 9:6:14
25That this House notes that the Church of England has celebrated 20 years since the first women were ordained as priests on 12 March 1994; congratulates the first 32 women who were ordained and led the way for many more women to follow them; welcomes the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury during a service at St Paul's Cathedral on 3 May 2014 that men and women are equally icons, witnesses and vessels of Christ for the world; praises the progress that has been made, but also notes that there is still more work to do; and calls on the Government to encourage the Church of England's General Synod to bring in legislation for women bishops to be appointed.
60 WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES 10:6:14
57That this House is deeply disappointed that the Gracious Speech did not contain measures to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, despite repeated pledges from Ministers that action would be taken; notes that since the House voted unanimously in favour of a ban in 2011 big cats have returned to Britain and is concerned that the continued delay may lead to other wild species being forced to perform in circuses; further notes that the draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill has already been scrutinised by the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee; supports Animal Defenders International and other animal welfare organisations in their ongoing campaign to end this outdated practice; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation to ensure a ban can be introduced during the 2014-15 Session.
61 BADGER GASSING 10:6:14
35That this House is concerned by recent reports that the Government has been authorising secret trials gassing badger setts, even though its own earlier research has indicated that such methods regularly failed to work; notes that such practices were banned in England nearly three decades ago when they were found to be cruel, harmful and useless; and calls on the Government to cease all field trials of such methods immediately.
63 TEACHERS' EXCLUSION FROM SALARY SACRIFICE CAR SCHEMES 10:6:14
11That this House welcomes the availability of salary sacrifice car schemes for public and private sector workers, providing a boost to the motoring industry and delivering a low cost, low polluting motoring option; notes the popularity of these schemes and their long-term fiscal neutrality to the Exchequer; further notes the current exemption of teachers from the scheme despite all other public and private sector professions being eligible, and teachers having access to similar schemes such as Cycle to Work; acknowledges the demand from teachers for having access to salary sacrifice car schemes; and urges the Secretary of State for Education to consider amending the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document Agreement to extend access to the schemes for teachers.
67 RELEASE OF DRIVERS' DETAILS TO PRIVATE PARKING COMPANIES 10:6:14
29That this House notes with concern the recent revelation following a Freedom of Information request that the UK taxpayer is paying up to £600,000 per year towards the cost of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) providing drivers' details to private parking companies, which then use this information to issue fines; further notes that the fee charged by the DVLA to supply this information is £2.50, but the handling cost to the DVLA of supplying it is £2.84; further notes that it is estimated that the cost of this subsidy has reached £5 million to the taxpayer over the last eight years; does not believe this to be a beneficial or appropriate use of taxpayers' funds; expresses concern about the lack of scrutiny with which the DVLA hands out UK citizens' personal details to private parking companies, which are notoriously unscrupulous and avaricious when it comes to issuing fines; believes that the DVLA should recalibrate its charges for this service so that it is at the very least breaking even, rather than providing a gift of taxpayers' money to private companies; and calls on the Government to re-evaluate the DVLA's role in assisting private parking firms to obtain citizens' personal data, and to ensure that data protection and confidentiality are not at risk from this practice.
69 RETHINK CANCER CAMPAIGN 10:6:14
33That this House recognises that as many as one in three individuals in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime; calls for young people growing up in the UK to receive better education about cancer; supports CoppaFeel!'s #RETHINKCANCER campaign to make cancer awareness education a statutory requirement in schools; and further calls for statutory provision to ensure that wider issues of health and wellbeing are included in the national curriculum for personal, social, health and economic education.
70 ESTATE AGENT ADVERTISING AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES 10:6:14
19That this House is concerned that sales and lettings agents in the commercial media are not showing the energy performance certificate rating of the property being advertised as required by Government guidelines; calls on estate and letting agents to ensure that all properties are advertised with prominent energy rating graphs and ratings; and urges the Government to tighten the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations to eliminate the loophole allowing seven days of marketing without an energy performance certificate and to ensure the law is proactively enforced by Trading Standards.
71 FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN SUDAN 10:6:14
47That this House resolutely deplores a Sudanese court's sentencing of Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag to death by hanging for apostasy and 100 lashes for adultery; strongly urges Sudan's legal authorities to immediately and unconditionally overturn Ms. Ishag's sentence; notes the joint statement by the embassies of the US, the UK, Canada and the Netherlands expressing concern over the verdict and calling for the government of Sudan to respect the right to freedom of religion; reminds the government of Sudan of its statutory commitment to the right to freedom of religion, including the right of citizens to peacefully follow the faith of their choice, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, under article 38 of Sudan's interim constitution and under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; calls on the government of Sudan to repeal Articles 126 and 146 of the Criminal Code that criminalise apostasy and adultery respectively and to review the entire penal code to ensure other contradictions with the constitution and international commitment are addressed; and anticipates a new constitution that respects Sudan's richly multi-faith and multi-cultural population in which citizens have the right to peacefully follow the faith of their choice without fear of persecution.
72 HOSPITAL CAR PARKING 11:6:14
13That this House is disappointed that three-quarters of NHS hospitals in England charge patients and visitors to park on-site; notes that there are discrepancies over what is charged across England, with one hospital in London charging up to £500 per week to park on-site; believes that high charges deter visitors from seeing their loved ones and can hit the most vulnerable at a difficult time; further notes that the cost of abolishing car parking charges in England is estimated to be £200 million which, according to research, could be achieved through prescribing more generic drugs; and therefore asks the Government to consider scrapping hospital car parking fees across England.
73 VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES 11:6:14
22That this House is saddened to hear of the recent suicide of teenager William Menzies, whose death, like that of 14 year-old Callum Green and two unnamed others, has been said to have been linked to playing violent video games; passes its condolences to the friends and family of these young people; believes that age ratings on video games need to be more strictly adhered to; calls on parents and retailers to take greater responsibility for ensuring that minors do not play games which are classified as unsuitable for their age group; and urges the Government to do all it can to ensure children are protected from the extreme content found in these games.
74 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS FROM LEICESTER 11:6:14
8That this House acknowledges the incredible talent of the people of Leicester; is delighted by Leicester City Football Club's triumph in becoming champions of the Championship and gaining promotion to the Premier League, the finest football league in the world; congratulates Sam Bailey for winning X-Factor, Lucy Kay for reaching the final of Britain's Got Talent, Frances Quinn for winning the Great British Bake Off, film editor Joseph Fallon for winning a top Hollywood film trailer award, actor Charlie Clapham for his nomination for the Best Newcomer award for his role in Hollyoaks at the British Soap Awards, Heather Jacks for winning the Great British Sewing Bee, Molly Smitten-Downes for being chosen to represent the UK in this year's Eurovision and Rosie Little for being named Mother of the Year by the Leicester Mercury for caring for hundreds of children; and considers that, clearly, Leicester as well as being in the centre of England, is also now the premier city in England for creative and unique talents.
75 PRE-DIABETES RESEARCH 11:6:14
16That this House commends the work of Professor Richard Baker of the University of Leicester, the lead author of a new report on the prevalence of pre-diabetes, and his colleagues for their research; recognises the distressing conclusions made including the fact that the number of people with pre-diabetes trebled to over 35 per cent between 2003 and 2011; is concerned about the fact that each year between five and 10 per cent of people with pre-diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes; acknowledges that this is the first pre-diabetes study to be conducted in England; trusts that its alarming findings will lead to further essential research into this area; believes that it is vital that more preventative work is done before this condition develops; and hopes that the Government will do all it can to offer the necessary support and care to the huge and ever-increasing number of diagnosed diabetics.
76 NORTHERN IRELAND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 11:6:14
18That this House believes that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, as the National Human Rights Institution for Northern Ireland, plays a vital role in ensuring that Government and public bodies protect the fundamental human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland; acknowledges the role that the Commission has played in promoting understanding and education about human rights so that people know their rights and the protections they are entitled to if these are violated, denied or compromised; pays tribute to the role of the Commission in maintaining peace, promoting progress and building community cohesion in Northern Ireland in the spirit envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement and under UN obligations in post-conflict societies; notes with concern that the Government is cutting the Commission's budget by over 10 per cent for 2015-16 and that this follows a 25 per cent budget cut in the last four years; further notes that these cuts will impair the Commission's capacity to operate successfully and could jeopardise its United Nations A status and with it Northern Ireland's voice at the UN; and calls on the Government to withdraw this cut and provide full and proper funding to the Commission so that it can fulfil its duty to protect and promote the rights of all of the people in Northern Ireland.
77 NHS ACCELERATOR FUND 11:6:14
8That this House notes that Apposite Capital LLP, The Orchard Down Consultancy Ltd, Mike Farrar Consulting Ltd and the NHS Confederation have raised project funding of almost £1 million from NHS organisations including NHS hospital trusts in England and Northern Ireland to initiate the NHS Accelerator Fund; calls on the Secretary of State for Health to explain why there has not been a public procurement exercise for that fund and to publish the accounts of it to date; and demands that the Secretary of State confirms that the NHS has carried out due diligence on the involved organisations and explain the exact status of the project given the current financial pressures across the NHS.
79 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON THE GOLDEN TEMPLE 11:6:14
17That this House commemorates with deep sadness the 30th anniversary of the attack in June 1984 by Indian armed forces on the Harmindir Sahib, the Golden Temple at Amritsar; expresses its condolences to the families and friends of all those who were killed and injured in this massacre and condemns this desecration of the holiest site of the Sikh religion; calls on the Prime Minister to establish an independent public judge-led inquiry into the involvement of the UK Government of the time in the events leading up to the attack, the attack itself and the subsequent abuse of human rights in the Punjab by the Indian army and police, including the release of all documents, reports and materials, especially those relating to the advice provided by the UK to the Indian government and military and the dialogue between UK Government Ministers and officials and Indian government ministers and officials.
80 ENERGY IN BUILDINGS BILL 11:6:14
18That this House believes that greater energy efficiency and the installation of cost-effective measures to generate energy by householders can reduce fuel bills and assist with alleviating fuel poverty and with achieving low carbon homes; and therefore supports the Energy in Buildings Bill brought forward in the last Session by the hon. Member for Gower which will require the Secretary of State to draw up and implement a strategy to promote such measures.
81 DANGEROUS PARKING OUTSIDE SCHOOLS 11:6:14
18That this House expresses its concern about dangerous parking outside schools; recognises the safety implications for children of parents parking outside schools on double yellow lines; acknowledges that parents and local residents are concerned that poor parking increases congestion and makes it harder for drivers to see children crossing the road, thereby potentially putting school children in danger; supports a campaign to tackle the lack of awareness of the dangers to school children when cars are parked illegally and acknowledges the need for drivers to slow down to protect children; suggests that motorists should be more cautious and think before they park so as to minimise the risk to children walking in, out and around the school premises; encourages schools to work with county councils to promote road safety in and around schools; and calls on the Government to get the road safety message out to schools and parents.
82 INVESTIGATION INTO THE BALLYMURPHY MASSACRE 11:6:14
16That this House is deeply concerned by the Government's decision not to establish a review panel to assess the evidence relating to the massacre in Ballymurphy, Belfast in August 1971; is dismayed that the families of the victims continue to be denied justice; is further concerned that the decision runs contrary to the spirit of the peace and reconciliation process in Ireland; and calls on the Government to issue a statement of innocence, to issue an apology to the families and to deliver an independent international investigation, modelled on the Hillsborough Independent Panel, examining the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
83 PROTECTION OF MOUNTAIN GORILLAS 12:6:14
20That this House welcomes the announcement made by UK oil company Soco that it will end its operations in Virunga National Park; congratulates the WWF for launching a successful campaign to protect Africa's oldest national park; notes however that there are now fewer mountain gorillas than there are hon. Members; and calls on the Government to support further measures to protect the gorillas and other endangered species.
84 DETENTION OF PRINCESSES SAHAR AND JAWAHER IN SAUDI ARABIA 12:6:14
22That this House is deeply concerned that Saudi Princesses Sahar and Jawaher, daughters of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, have been denied access to food for more than 60 days and have limited access to water; is further concerned that the two sisters have been held under house arrest in Jeddah for 13 years by their father; notes that they have been isolated in their compound and denied access to the outside world; expresses concern that Sahar and Jawaher's conditions have become increasingly difficult since they spoke out about their imprisonment in the international media earlier this year; calls on the Government to raise the princesses' situation with representatives of Saudi Arabia; and urges the Saudi government to grant the princesses access to food and water at the earliest possible opportunity.
85 HM PASSPORT OFFICE STAFF 12:6:14
21That this House commends the work which is being carried out by front and back office staff at HM Passport Office; notes their dedication during a time of immense pressure with offices opening seven days a week from 7am to midnight; is concerned by the Government's lack of accountability regarding the current crisis where backlogs are reaching over half a million; further notes that its current contingency plans are having little effect; further notes the warnings of an impending crisis the Government received from unions and hon. Members before the implementation of its drastic cuts programme which has seen the workforce reduced by a tenth and the closure of 22 interview offices and one application processing centre; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the current crisis and commit to increasing the staffing levels at both interview offices and processing centres across the country and ending the misery for families throughout the UK.
86 ASSISTED SUICIDE IN WASHINGTON STATE 12:6:14
24That this House notes the results of the Washington State Death With Dignity Act Report, 2013, published on 10 June 2014 which concludes that the number of deaths through physician-assisted suicide has tripled since the first year of implementation and increased by 43 per cent between 2012 and 2013; expresses grave concern that 61 per cent of those who received lethal drugs in Washington in 2013 gave as a reason for seeking assisted suicide being a burden on family, friends or caregivers; recalls that those who introduced the law in Washington assured the public that it would only apply to terminally ill, mentally competent patients; and reiterates its belief that a corresponding change in UK law would endanger the lives of the most vulnerable in society.
As an Amendment to Jim Dobbin's proposed Motion (Assisted Suicide In Washington State):
2Line2, leave out from '2014' to end and add '; recognises that it is to be expected that numbers of people using the Act will rise in the years following legalisation as citizens become more aware of their rights under the law, that assisted deaths account for just 0.24 per cent of all deaths in Washington, an extremely low proportion of overall deaths, that people who had assisted deaths gave several reasons for their choice, of which 91 per cent reported concerns about loss of autonomy, 89 per cent about loss of ability to participate in activities that make life enjoyable and 79 per cent about loss of dignity as reasons for choosing assisted dying; further notes that over 80 per cent of those who had an assisted death were in receipt of hospice care; and further notes that a safeguarded law, with upfront checks on diagnosis, prognosis, competences and that a patient is making an informed and settled decision, is preferable to turning a blind eye to dying Britons taking matters into their own hands, including travelling abroad to die.'. 18:6:14(a1)
87 OUTSOURCING OF PARLIAMENT'S SEARCH AND SCREENING FUNCTIONS 12:6:14
22That this House values the dedication of House of Commons security staff who are employed by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS); recognises their professionalism and commitment every day to ensure that all those within Parliament are safe; is concerned by plans to outsource search and screening functions for the three main entrances of Parliament, which will affect around 150 staff, when the current contract expires in 2015; and urges the Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments to reconsider their proposals and ensure all security functions continue to be carried out by employees of the MPS or by staff directly employed by Parliament.
88 BAHÁ'IS IN IRAN 12:6:14
17That this House is alarmed at the steps taken by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to begin destroying a historically important Bahá'i cemetery in Shiraz, Iran; observes that attacks on Bahá'i cemeteries are part of a wide ranging, multifaceted, cradle-to-grave campaign of persecution against Bahá'is conducted by the Iranian government with the aim of eliminating the community as a viable entity in Iran; deplores this recent act of desecration; and calls on the Government to strongly urge the Iranian authorities to prevent further destruction of the cemetery.
89 ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION BILL 12:6:14
16That this House welcomes the publication by the Department for Energy and Climate Change of the report, Energy Efficiency Opportunity in the UK, in November 2012 which shows the potential for cost effectively reducing the demand for electricity by 69TWh by 2020, for gas by 74TWh by 2020 and for oil and other fuels by 53TWh by 2020; further welcomes the publication of the report, Electricity Demand Reduction, in May 2013 which showed that a further 32TWh of electricity could be saved by 2030; and so supports the proposals contained in the Energy Demand Reduction Bill introduced in the last session for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to draw up and implement a strategy to achieve those reductions.
90 BRETON REUNIFICATION 12:6:14
8That this House notes the French government's proposals for the reorganisation of its current 22 regions thereby creating 14 super regions; further notes that under these proposals the current boundaries of Brittany are unchanged, but that the Breton Department of Loire Atlantique, separated from the rest of Brittany by the Vichy regime in 1941, is to be included in the new super region of Pays-de-la-Loire; further notes that Loire Atlantique included the historic Breton capital of Noaned/Nantes; and further notes that a LH2 poll in April 2014 found that 63 per cent of the residents of Loire Atlantique and 57 per cent of people living in Brittany support reunification; and calls on the French government to respect the wishes of the Breton people and Brittany's unique history, language and culture and to take this opportunity to restore its historic boundaries.
91 REDUCTIONS IN SKILLS FUNDING AGENCY STAFFING 12:6:14
23That this House condemns the reduction of staff numbers at the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) from 1,355 to 925; notes that these ideological cuts to staffing will have a detrimental effect on the delivery of apprenticeships and the National Careers Service; is concerned that that detriment will increase the potential for fraud and will be felt by small and medium-sized employers which may not be able to take on apprenticeships if they do not have contact and support from staff of the SFA; further notes that these ideological cuts contradict the Government's commitment to apprenticeships; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the value and dedication of staff working within the SFA and to commit to further recruitment in the agency to enable them to deliver on apprenticeships.
92 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BREAKING THE SILENCE 12:6:14
27That this House notes that 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the Israeli non-governmental organisation, Breaking the Silence, established by veteran Israeli Defence Force soldiers to raise awareness about the reality of life for soldiers and civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; welcomes the important work that Breaking the Silence does to provide a unique and credible voice amidst ongoing tension and conflict in the region; recognises the courage and contribution of those involved in this work; further notes the importance of their engagement with the International Development Committee during its visit to Hebron as part of an inquiry into the Department for International Development's work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; expresses concern at the UK Government's decision to discontinue funding for Breaking the Silence's public education programmes; and calls on the Government to reverse that decision.
93 MESOTHELIOMA RESEARCH FUNDING 12:6:14
37That 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; and calls on the Government to facilitate the establishment of a long-term sustainable mesothelioma research scheme funded by the insurance industry.
94 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BATTLE BACK CENTRE EXPEDITION 12:6:14
17That this House congratulates the Battle Back Expedition Team, including wounded servicemen and All Party Mountaineering Group members on their trek to climb Cotopaxi in Ecuador, an active volcano that stands at 5,897 metres/19,347 feet; recognises the positive role of sports in the rehabilitation of our wounded service men and women and celebrates the work of the Battle Back initiative; further recognises the life changing rehabilitation work of the tailored programmes at the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall to help with both physical and psychological challenges, supporting wounded, injured and sick members of all three services in achieving their best possible recovery in order to either return to service duty or make a smooth transition to civilian life; and appreciates the efforts made by the team to overcome the encounters of the climb in order to raise funds for this worthy cause.
95 MINIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE RENTED HOMES 12:6:14
23That this House notes that the private rented sector (PRS) is a rapidly growing part of the housing market, accounting for 17.5 per cent of English households; that the PRS has over five times more homes in EPC Bands F and G than the social housing sector and that nearly half the PRS households living in Band F and G properties are in fuel poverty, costing the NHS £145 million annually and that those households are home to 191,000 children, 62 per cent of whom are in fuel poverty; further notes that the Energy Act 2011 placed a duty on the Government to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard for the PRS by April 2018, and that Ministers repeatedly indicated that they expected the standard to be EPC Band E; further notes that new research for WWF-UK and the UK Green Building Council shows that the average cost of bringing a property up to Band E is £1,421 and that 72 per cent of properties can reach this standard for less than £1,000; regrets that the regulations have been significantly delayed; therefore calls on the Government to consult on and lay the regulations without further delay, in order to give landlords adequate time to comply; and further calls on the Government to ensure that the regulations are made clear and enforceable by specifying Band E as the minimum standard in all cases, and by keeping exemptions to an absolute minimum.
96 BRITISH-IRISH COUNCIL AND TOBACCO PRODUCT PACKAGING 12:6:14
20That this House notes that the Irish Cabinet has now endorsed draft legislation to ensure standardised graphic packaging, without brand logos, on all tobacco products; further notes the UK Government's undertaking to bring forward similar legislation following the unambiguous findings of the independent review led by Sir Cyril Chantler; recognises that such measures are promised significant oppposition, including legal challenges, from vested commercial interests; encourages both the UK and Irish governments to use the British-Irish Council (BIC) to co-ordinate and mutually reinforce such significant advances in public health policy; and believes that the BIC can also engage all relevant devolved policy responsibilities in the context of work to enhance the compatibility and comparability of respective legislative measures across these islands.
97 RADIO CAROLINE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY 12:6:14
12That this House congratulates Radio Caroline on its 50th birthday this year; calls on Ofcom to exhaust all avenues in making the provisions available to celebrate its birthday by broadcasting on a medium wave frequency which appears unwanted by both the BBC and commercial operators as a broadcast platform; expresses its disappointment that, having pioneered commercial radio in the UK and for the past decade being a fully licensed broadcaster, Radio Caroline, a cornerstone of British radio history, until now has been denied by Ofcom the opportunity to secure a medium wave frequency from which to broadcast; and regrets that as a result its devoted listeners are confined to listening to Radio Caroline via the internet and unable to enjoy its musical offerings in transit.
99 HIGH COURT JUDGMENT ON ASYLUM SUPPORT 16:6:14
19That this House notes the High Court judgment of 9 April 2014 (Refugee Action v Secretary of State for the Home Department) which states that the Government's assessment of the amount needed by asylum seekers to meet their essential living needs is flawed and further notes the Government's decision not to appeal this ruling; is concerned as stated in the judgment, that asylum support rates have not been increased since April 2011 and that the majority of those on asylum support receive just £5.23 a day to pay for essentials such as food, clothing and toiletries; further notes that asylum seekers spend an average of 18 months on this support and are almost never allowed to work; believes this is detrimental to the well-being of refugees including children; is particularly concerned that children aged 16 and 17 years are treated as adults for the purposes of asylum support making it difficult to participate fully in education; and calls on the Government to raise asylum support rates to at least 70 per cent of income support - the equivalent of £7.17 a day for most adult asylum seekers - and to increase this in line with inflation annually.
100 INTERNATIONAL CLEANERS' DAY 16:6:14
19That this House notes International Cleaners' Day on 16 June 2014; celebrates the achievements of trades union-organised cleaners; recognises that the London living wage is now paid to nearly 10,000 cleaners; welcomes the representation brought to many otherwise vulnerable workers by trades unions; celebrates the recognition of the importance of cleaning work and those who carry it out; and further recognises the dignity and respect that cleaners across the world have fought for and won in their workplaces.
101 EDUCATION ENTITLEMENT FOR ALL CAMPAIGN 16:6:14
13That this House welcomes the NASUWT Entitlement for All campaign, which advocates the adoption of an entitlements-based approach to state education, including the tackling of poverty and disadvantage in society as a prerequisite to improving educational outcomes for all, providing a broad and balanced curriculum experience fit for the 21st century, insisting that all teachers have met nationally-relevant professional standards and expectations in order to work as qualified teachers and investing in a highly skilled education workforce to support children and young people.
102 VAT REDUCTION FOR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY 16:6:14
18That this House recognises that local restaurants and public houses are facing very challenging conditions in the current economy and are being put under further pressure by the rise of large supermarkets that enjoy preferential value added tax (VAT) treatment; notes that these businesses lie at the heart of their local communities, economically and socially; further notes that 13 EU member states, including the Republic of Ireland, have introduced a reduced rate of VAT within their tourism and hospitality sectors for restaurants and public houses, and 22 have done so for hotel accommodation, and that such measures have had a positive impact; calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce similar sector-specific VAT reduction measures to help businesses in the UK; and further recognises that such a move would encourage growth in the wider economy, support job creation and generate investment in local businesses.
105 MONTE CASSINO 16:6:14
15That this House notes with gratitude the heroism and courage of those who served and died at the Battle of Monte Cassino in the Second World War which claimed some 50,000 allied lives; and on this 70th anniversary of the battle resolves never to forget the sacrifice of those who fought so valiantly for our freedom.
106 DOG AWARENESS WEEK 16:6:14
14That this House welcomes Royal Mail's Dog Awareness Week supported by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs Trust which takes place between 30 June and 4 July 2014; notes that over 3,000 Royal Mail postmen and women alone were attacked by dogs between April 2012 and April 2013; further welcomes the change in law amending the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which came into force on 13 May 2014; further notes that postmen and women delivering the universal service obligation, six days a week to circa 29 million addresses across the UK, and other public service workers are now protected in law should they be attacked on private property; further welcomes the work being done by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs Trust and Royal Mail to promote responsible dog ownership; and calls on dog owners not to forget that during the summer months postmen and women and others will be in the community carrying out their jobs and should be able to do so without fear of being attacked by a dog.
107 IMMIGRATION RULES 16:6:14
16That this House condemns the Financial (Minimum Income) Threshold in the Immigration Rules introduced by the Government which came into force on 9 July 2012; notes that the rules are having a negative impact on UK citizens who have spouses from non-EU/EEA nations and is resulting in families being forced to live outside the UK or to live separately in different countries; calls on the Government urgently to lower the threshold for the minimum income and allow families to return to the UK with immediate effect; further calls on the Government to implement the recommendation of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Migration to undertake an independent review of the Financial (Minimum Income) Threshold generally to ensure that families with spouses from non-EU/EEA nations with stable and reasonable incomes are granted permission to immigrate to the UK; and notes that the UK's four children's commissioners all endorsed the APPG report on Migration and its recommendations.
108 NEW THAMESLINK, SOUTHERN AND GREAT NORTHERN FRANCHISE 16:6:14
16That this House is dismayed that the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise will deliver profits to the French and German governments whilst resulting in the loss of hundreds of essential railway jobs and a worse, less safe service for passengers, particularly for older, disabled and women passengers; notes the franchise has been won by French-owned Keolis with contractual requirements and incentives to sack guards, introduce driver-only operation and reduce station staff and ticket offices and is appalled that passenger service and safety is being jeopardised in this way; further notes that the rolling stock for the franchise will be provided and maintained by German multinational Siemens, who has refused to take on the existing train maintenance thereby threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of skilled railway workers; and calls on the Government urgently to review this franchise, ensure that these cuts do not take place and that rail passenger services and jobs are protected.
109 THE ROLE OF THE KURDISTAN REGION 16:6:14
9That this House notes the continuing and strong security of the Kurdistan Region and the protection from ISIS given to Kirkuk following the evacuation of Iraqi security forces; further notes that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis fleeing from Mosul have made their way to the sanctuary of the Kurdistan Region, where they are welcome, but which is also placing huge strains on the Kurdistan Region, already the home of over a quarter of a million refugees from the conflict in Syria and of previous flights by Christians and others from Arab Iraq; believes that the international community should do much more to partner the Kurdistan regional government and help it cope better with this influx of refugees; further believes that pressure should be placed on the Iraqi Prime Minister to lift his economic blockade of the Kurdistan Region which has meant that its civil servants, including its brave and effective Peshmerga soldiers, have not been paid for six months; and recognises that the Kurdistan Region has a vital role to play in any new configuration in Iraq.
110 REPEAL OF SECTION 24 AND GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION 16:6:14
23That this House notes the Government's consultation on the review of section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; welcomes reform of this policy which has allowed animal research to be carried out in complete secrecy; understands the need to protect personal information of researchers; supports the National Anti-Vivisection Society in its campaign to end the secrecy around animal experiments; and calls on the Government to repeal section 24 and allow interested stakeholders with expertise access to project licence applications prior to approval, which may help identify non-animal alternatives or similar research elsewhere and contribute towards the Government's promised reduction in the use of animals in scientific research.
111 IT AND PROBATION 16:6:14
16That this House is alarmed by the ongoing reports of IT issues within the newly formed National Probation Service (NPS) and 21 community rehabilitation companies (CRC); notes the failure of the NDelius IT system in the first days of the new service with some areas in England and Wales reporting the system was down for four days; is concerned that this has resulted in numerous residual issues including delays in court reports and prison recall as well as significant delays in transferring cases to the new organisation; is further concerned that staff working in the CRCs cannot access records of the NPS and this has resulted in CRC staff being unable to assess an individual's risk of harm, including risk registers such as child protection and sexual offences, which is putting both staff and the public at risk; and calls on the Government to assess the risk to public safety of the new probation service and halt the process of privatisation to protect the public and the dedicated staff of both the NPS and CRCs.
112 BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S YOUR GP CARES CAMPAIGN 16:6:14
18That this House welcomes the British Medical Association's Your GP Cares campaign; recognises that the UK family doctor service is widely admired around the world; notes that the increased demand on general practice caused by demographic changes, more complex health needs and care moving out of hospitals is contributing to challenging pressures on the service and is therefore compromising the care GPs can provide to patients; further notes that NHS England for example estimates some 340 million consultations are undertaken every year, an increase of 40 million since 2008; believes that having more GPs, working as part of properly resourced practice teams, in buildings fit for purpose, would support the delivery of services that patients need and deserve; further believes that UK GPs care about the concerns of patients and want to find long-term, sustainable solutions to meet their needs; and calls for an immediate and sustained investment in general practice.
113 DECISION TO CLOSE THE INDEPENDENT LIVING FUND 17:6:14
20That this House is deeply concerned by the Government's announcement to close by June 2015 the Independent Living Fund (ILF), on which over 18,000 disabled people with high support needs rely to live independently in the community; questions the decision to give local authorities (LAs) responsibility for this funding without ring fencing when LAs have already cut spending by £1.9 billion on adult services through efficiencies and service reduction between 2011 and 2013, and the Department of Health has shown that demand for adult social services has outstripped funding as expenditure fell nine per cent behind demand over the last four years; notes that experts believe financial pressure and loss of experienced ILF staff will mean current recipients will be placed in residential care or left at home without adequate care provision; highlights the inadequate Government equality assessment which, for example, cites the range of Disabled Student Allowances (DSAs) available to ameliorate the impact of withdrawing ILF on students, despite DSAs also being cut and being an incomparable allowance with a different use; therefore considers the numerous and significant cuts to disabled benefits mean a cumulative impact assessment of cuts on disabled people is a prerequisite to any decision about the ILF; is reminded that in 2013 the Court of Appeal found the Government's decision to close the ILF in March 2015 breached equality duties; and urges the Government to respect its obligations under the UN Convention of the Rights of Disabled Persons by maintaining the ILF and reopening applications.
114 OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 17:6:14
12That this House welcomes the decision by the R & A to hold The Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush; acknowledges the tremendous work done by the R & A, tourism authorities, Northern Ireland Executive, Royal Portrush Golf Club and many others to bring the most prestigious golf tournament in the world back to what is recognised as one of the best links courses anywhere; also pays tribute to Ulster's golfing greats, Rory McIlroy, Graham McDowell and Darren Clarke who have been in support of the move for some time; and looks forward to the required work being completed so that The Open can return by 2019 to Royal Portrush.
115 STEPHEN SUTTON MBE 17:6:14
44That this House is delighted that Stephen Sutton has been posthumously recognised with an MBE in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours for his tireless fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust; notes that this honour recognises Stephen's continued fearlessness right up until his death at the age of 19 years in May 2014; and further notes that Stephen was awarded the Kids Count Most Inspirational Young Person 2013 Award; and further notes that his work has now raised over four million pounds and elevated the awareness of young people living with cancer across the UK and that commitment continues to act as an inspiration for millions of people throughout the world.
116 PARENTAL GUIDANCE FOR CYBER-BULLYING PREVENTION 17:6:14
13That this House recognises that cyber-bullying, like bullying in the real world, is a traumatic experience which can affect the health and wellbeing of children and young adults in particular; notes that parents educating their children about the benefits and risks of how they interact online is key to combating this behaviour and boosting a child's online resilience; and supports industry initiatives to help equip and empower parents to keep their families safe online.
117 ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW 17:6:14
13That this House is concerned that the successive cuts to the Grant In Aid for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew since 2010 puts over 120 jobs at risk and threatens a loss of scientific expertise not readily available on the international labour market; notes the threat to the capacity and ability of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew to perform its statutory functions and world-leading scientific and conservation research; is further concerned that these cuts will put Kew's UNESCO World Heritage Site status at risk and that pressure to raise revenue means that a number of staff at Kew Enterprises are currently paid below the living wage or are on zero hours contracts; and calls on the Government to consider the results of several independent reviews calling for maintained or increased public funding of Kew by funding the expected shortfall this year of £5 million and ensuring that there is a full public review of how Kew is funded in future before any final decisions are made.
119 BORTH RNLI 17:6:14
4That this House celebrates the work that Borth RNLI have undertaken since the station was established in 1966; applauds the fact that Borth RNLI has launched a service 752 times and has either rescued or assisted 868 people; notes that on 10 May 2014 the new D-class lifeboat, the Geoffrey Scott, was named and dedicated; and acknowledges that the new lifeboat has been funded by a legacy gift from Geoffrey Charles Scott and provides improved responsiveness, meaning a better service to the local people.
120 WALES OFFICIAL TOURIST GUIDE ASSOCIATION 17:6:14
3That this House notes the importance of the Wales Official Tourist Guide Association in encouraging tourism in Wales; further notes its efforts since 1983 to continually expand tourism; recognises its influence on increasing repeat visits; believes that this enhances the quality of tourism offered; applauds its service throughout the years; and calls on the Government to consider any plans to provide a similar structure for the UK.
121 MULBERRY BUSH 17:6:14
3That this House applauds the work done by The Mulberry Bush Wholefoods of Lampeter to be shortlisted for the Best Independent Retailer of the year 2014 at the Natural and Organic Awards; celebrates the positive impact that independent retailers like The Mulberry Bush have on the rural economy of places like Lampeter; and commends all those working towards the promotion of the health, organic and natural food industry in Ceredigion.
122 PROFESSOR ROBERT WINSTON AND THREE-PARENT EMBRYOS 17:6:14
21That this House notes the comments of Professor Robert Winston reported in the Independent on Sunday on 15 June 2014 on the premature introduction of mitochondrial replacement techniques; urges the Government to heed his warning that a great deal more research in as many animal models as possible ought to be undertaken prior to such techniques being approved; further notes his view that full and far-reaching assessments must be conducted as to the potential risks to children born as a result of the procedures; and calls on the Department of Health to delay bringing the relevant regulations before Parliament until the international scientific community and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority have declared the techniques safe.
123 CELTIC NATIONS AUTISM PARTNERSHIP 17:6:14
10That this House praises the innovative work of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership, in particular the pioneering work of Autism Cymru and respective Celtic national governments in their progressive national approaches to autism which improve the lives of people with autism; notes that a Wales Autism Research Centre has been established in Cardiff University, increasing the investment and focus into autism research in Wales; recognises the Welsh Government's renewed commitment to continually develop national strategies for autism, providing vital and progressive aid to people with autism spectrum disorders and their families; and encourages the third sector to collaborate to deliver a comparable and ambitious all-age strategy and action for England, thus ensuring that the UK as a whole can benefit.
124 ABERYSTWYTH FARMERS MARKET 17:6:14
5That this House congratulates Aberystwyth Farmers Market for winning Best Food Market in Radio 4's Food and Farming Awards 2014; applauds the hard work of all those who established this award-winning farmers market in Aberystwyth; notes the important links which have been established between local producers in the area and local consumers; and commends the Aberystwyth Farmers Market for its success and the positive impact it has on the local economy and the community within which it operates.
125 RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN ARMED CONFLICT 17:6:14
10That this House notes that victims of rape in situations of armed conflict are defined as wounded and sick under international law; further notes that as such they are entitled to non-discriminatory medical treatment, including counselling and abortion services; observes that UK aid funding should respect the supremacy of international law in respect of the rights of women who have suffered rape in conflict zones; and calls on the Government to review all funding to aid agencies operating in conflict zones to ensure that all aid providers in receipt of UK monies facilitate access to counselling and abortion services for all women and girls impregnated by rape.
126 NEW QUAY LIFEBOAT STATION - 150 YEARS OF SERVICE 17:6:14
7That this House celebrates the 150 years of service of New Quay lifeboat station; recognises the incredible work which so many volunteer lifeboat crew, shore crew and others, have carried out since the station was created in 1864; acknowledges the circumstances surrounding the New Quay lifeboat station's creation following the severe loss of life from 13 wrecks over seven years in the 1850s and 1860s; and plays tribute to all those who continue to risk their lives in order to rescue those in peril in Cardigan Bay.
127 HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ZANZIBAR 17:6:14
9That this House commends the work of Health Improvement Project Zanzibar (HIPZ) for the outstanding work it has done in helping to establish high-quality, accessible and trusted hospitals and primary healthcare units in Zanzibar; applauds it on its sustainable approach, including the provision of resources and the leadership for local people to put local services on a long-term sustainable footing; congratulates it on the excellent work it has already done in repairing and refurbishing Kivunge hospital in particular, and expanding the services provided there; recognises the vitally important role which volunteer doctors play in helping to provide the leadership and training for local medical staff; believes that its example, in ensuring the vast majority of its funding goes directly to provide the resources and training needed on the ground, is to be applauded; and encourages other charities to follow its example of ensuring its focus remains firmly fixed on creating sustainable local services which will stand the test of time, even after HIPZ finishes its direct involvement there.
128 MIS-SELLING OF CASHBACK WARRANTIES BY SCOTTISH POWER 18:6:14
4That this House notes with concern that there remain some 625,000 customers across the UK out of pocket following the mis-selling of cashback warranties by Scottish Power; further notes that the conclusions of a DTI report from the early 2000s investigating the scandal have not yet been released; is concerned by the reported attempts of Scottish Power to evade its responsibility for paying out to many thousands of its out-of-pocket customers; and calls on the Government to launch an urgent inquiry into this matter.
129 PROFESSOR LESLEY YELLOWLEES CBE BSC PHD FRSC FRSE 18:6:14
5That this House wishes to congratulate Professor Lesley Yellowlees CBE BSc PhD FRSC FRSE on her term as President of the Royal Society of Chemistry which is coming to an end in July 2014; notes that Professor Yellowlees became the first female President of the Royal Society of Chemistry when she was appointed in 2012; further notes Professor Yellowlees' work on public engagement in science and the promotion of women in science, earning her University of Edinburgh department an Athena Swan silver award for good practice in supporting women in science; praises Professor Yellowlees for her important work on solar energy, dye-sensitive solar cells and for being a pioneer in the field of spectroelectrochemistry through her breakthroughs with ruthenium dye; wishes Professor Yellowlees well in her next endeavours; and calls on the Government to increase funding for science research so Britain can stay at the forefront of scientific discovery.
130 OVARIAN CANCER 18:6:14
8That this House recognises that ovarian cancer is a devastating illness that places an enormous emotional and physical strain on those who are diagnosed with it and their families; pays tribute to the carers, clinicians and campaigners who work to combat this disease and to support those who are diagnosed with it; acknowledges that despite progress with cancer research, ovarian cancer remains one of the hardest cancers to diagnose and to treat; notes that a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer today has only a 46 per cent chance of being alive in five years; expresses concern that this illness remains one of the hardest cancers to diagnose, with 30 per cent of people first diagnosed when it has already reached an extremely advanced stage and for many this is when they arrive at an A&E ward in chronic pain; further expresses encouragement that it is now possible for women, at the point of diagnosis with non-mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer, to have a genetic test for mutations on the BRCA1 and 2 genes which increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer; further notes that such techniques can help identify family members who have a high risk of developing the illness and the successful introduction of BRCA testing by the NHS in Scotland; and calls on the Government to support BRCA testing across the NHS to ensure that fewer families have to live through this tragedy.
131 RANA PLAZA 18:6:14
7That this House recalls that the victims of the Rana Plaza have yet to be fully compensated; welcomes the fundraising efforts which have been undertaken to meet the Rana Plaza Arrangement compensation fund negotiated under the auspices of the International Labour Organization by employers and unions in Bangladesh and globally and by the government of Bangladesh; urges companies sourcing from Bangladesh, and especially those sourcing from Rana Plaza, to make sufficient contributions to meet the £24 million target by July 2014; and calls on the Government to encourage companies to do so.
132 INTERNATIONAL MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE AWARENESS DAY 18:6:14
10That this House notes that 21 June 2014 marks International Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness Day which seeks to improve public understanding of MND, a progressive and terminal disease that attacks motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord; recognises the important work that MND Scotland and the MND Association do to raise awareness and to assist those affected by the disease, including those who care for people with MND; further notes that MND has no cure or known cause, with half of those diagnosed dying within 14 months; and calls on the Government to invest in research into MND and to improve support for those affected.
133 US SUPREME COURT RULING IN FAVOUR OF VULTURE FUNDS 18:6:14
5That this House notes with concern the US Supreme Court's rejection of an appeal by Argentina against a ruling that it must repay in full creditors who purchased Argentinian debt at a discount on the secondary market, with the intention of extorting full payment; disagrees with the Court's decision to prioritise the greed of vulture funds over the Argentinian people's sovereignty and the country's ability to repay its legitimate creditors; observes that this case sets a worrying precedent and creates a disincentive for creditors to negotiate rather than demanding full payment; further notes that vulture funds have made sizeable donations to the Republican party and that Republican judges form a majority on the Supreme Court; expresses support for the people of Argentina, who should not be penalised in order to make hedge fund owners even more obscenely wealthy; supports the Argentinian government in prioritising the country's financial wellbeing over paying vulture funds; believes that it is unacceptable to purchase debt at the height of a debt crisis with the sole aim of profiting by suing the issuing country at the expense of its citizens; further expresses concern that if a similar case were to be heard in the UK courts, the same ruling in favour of vulture funds could be reached, unless the country concerned was one of the 40 covered by the Debt Relief Act 2010; and calls on the Government to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals to prevent this.
134 INCREASE IN THE PRISON POPULATION 18:6:14
16That this House is concerned by the Government's recent decision to further increase the prison population by over 400 inmates; notes the ongoing rise in the prison population in each consecutive year since the Government came to power and the consequences such increases in the population have on staff and inmates, including a higher number of assaults; is alarmed that the Government has closed over 20 prisons since 2010 and thousands of prison staff have left the service under voluntary exit schemes putting additional pressure on all remaining staff; further notes the repeated warnings Ministers have received from hon. Members, trade unions and the Chief Inspector of Prisons regarding an increase in the prison population; and calls on the Government to stop its plans to further increase the prison population and instead focus on adequate resources and further investment in the public sector prison service.
136 ROLE OF PARLIAMENT IN MILITARY INTERVENTION 18:6:14
12That this House welcomes the Fourteenth Report of Session 2013-14 from the Defence Committee on Intervention: Why, When and How?; notes the Committee's recommendations on the role of Parliament and the importance of parliamentary approval before use of military force; stresses the need for debate on conflict decisions to ensure the approval of both Parliament and the public; further notes in particular the emerging convention that the House should have an opportunity to debate military action abroad; and calls on the Government to clarify that the convention will be applied to use of drones outside Afghanistan, whether or not they are operated from the UK and to publish a statement of criteria articulating the legal basis and circumstances in which the UK may commit to military intervention of any sort.
137 JUSTICE FOR UKRAINIAN MINERS OF KRYVYI RIH 18:6:14
6That this House is deeply concerned by the worsening social and economic situation in Ukraine, including austerity policies, currency devaluation and rising prices, which have all led to a fall in real wages by up to 50 per cent and that this is contributing to the instability; welcomes the campaign for justice by the Independent Union of Miners of Ukraine in the industrial centre of Kryvyi Rih to secure a 50 per cent wage increase from the oligarchs; salutes its calls for unity and its work to prevent inter-ethnic conflict; urges the corporation EVRAZ with headquarters in London to pay the miners a living wage; and condemns as obscene that the oligarchs of EVRAZ pay almost no tax in Ukraine and accumulate vast wealth whilst their workforce endures poverty wages.
138 HOSPITAL CAR PARKING (No.2) 18:6:14
2That this House notes that hospital parking charges are a huge burden for patients who have to visit hospital regularly; further notes that the average daily charge for parking in an NHS hospital in England is £7.72; further notes that some hospitals in England charge up to £72.00 for a day of parking; further notes that many hospitals are able to offer free parking or a concession for frequent visitors; further notes that many of these hospitals do not offer concessions for frequent patients; and is therefore disappointed that NHS hospitals inflict this cost on frequent visitors.
139 HOSPITAL CAR PARKING (No.3) 18:6:14
2That this House notes that hospital parking charges are a huge burden for long-stay patients; further notes that the average weekly charge for parking in an NHS hospital in England is £39.49; further notes that some hospitals in England charge up to as much as £504.00 for a week of parking; further notes that many hospitals in England are able to offer free parking or concessions for long-stay patients; further notes that many hospitals do not offer concessions for long-stay patients; and is therefore disappointed that NHS hospitals inflict this cost on those suffering from long-term illness.
140 HOSPITAL CAR PARKING (No.4) 18:6:14
2That this House notes that NHS hospitals in the East of England charge on average £8.33 for a day of hospital parking; further notes that this is above the national average daily charge for hospital parking of £7.72; and is therefore disappointed that hospitals in the East of England inflict such a high cost on patients and their loved ones.
141 SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE 18:6:14
2That this House commends the work of the Sustainable Healthcare Steering Group, convened by the College of Medicine and AbbVie and its new report Patient, manager, expert: individual. Improving the sustainability of the healthcare system by removing barriers for people with long-term conditions; notes that the report identifies how high-quality care can be delivered in cost-effective ways to help the NHS meet upcoming challenges around long-term conditions and the ageing population in a challenging financial environment; is concerned by the scale of the challenge facing the NHS with 15 million people in England already living with a long-term condition and this number being set to rise; further notes that over 70 per cent of the NHS budget already goes on care for people living with long-term conditions; welcomes the report's identification of three clear areas for future action - taking a patient-centred approach, harnessing technology, and helping people navigate the healthcare system - and 12 practical recommendations for change; concurs with the Steering Group that efforts must be made to share and embed innovative practice, such as the examples set out in the report; and calls on the Government to set out how it intends to address the challenge of sustainable healthcare.
142 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 18:6:14
10That this House believes that domestic violence is a serious crime; is concerned at the under-reporting of domestic abuse by victims and the low number of prosecutions; and supports efforts to criminalise coercive control and violence in a domestic setting.
143 QPR'S PROMOTION TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE 18:6:14
12That this House congratulates Queen's Park Rangers Football Club on its promotion to the Premier League; acknowledges the key role played by the manager, staff and players and by the enthusiasm and loyalty of QPR fans worldwide; and looks forward to the return of Premiership football to White City and the continuation of the wonderful contribution the club makes to the local community in Hammersmith and Fulham.
144 PUBLIC HEALTH AND PROBATION PRIVATISATION 18:6:14
4That this House condemns the privatisation of public health and probation services; notes the inferior service already being provided by private companies such as Crime Reductions Initiatives; and calls on local councils to protect their local services from this creeping privatisation and on the Government to reverse its policy of allowing piecemeal privatisation of our National Health Service.
145 THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY'S PARLIAMENTARY LINKS DAY 19:6:14
3That this House congratulates the Society of Biology on organising this year's Parliamentary Links Day on 24 June 2014 on behalf of the science and engineering community; applauds the theme of Science and Public Trust; welcomes the Society's continuing commitment to serve the public interest by improving the access of all hon. Members to scientific information and a better understanding of science; notes the involvement of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, the British Pharmacological Society, the Biochemical Society, the Society for Endocrinology, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society for Applied Microbiology and the Society for Experimental Biology and many others; further notes that there will be keynote addresses by Sir Mark Walport, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill, and the President of the Royal Society, Sir Paul Nurse; further notes the contributions from many other eminent scientists and communicators; further notes that Parliamentary Links Day is an established and respected event on the annual Parliamentary calendar; further notes that the Society of Biology and the scientific community remains committed to assisting right hon. and hon. Members on all sides of the House with access to scientific advice; and further welcomes the continuing contribution that Parliamentary Links Day makes to strengthening the dialogue between Parliament and the science and engineering community.
146 FIXED ODDS BETTING TERMINALS 19:6:14
7That this House notes with disappointment that the Government has again missed an opportunity to proceed with a stake reduction on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT); further notes the measures requiring a planning application for new betting shops combined with requiring those accessing stakes over £50 to use account-based play or load cash over the counter do not go far enough; further notes that more people are going to be drawn into more addictive FOBT play, whilst the most effective solution and the power to implement it already rests with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of reducing the stake on par with all other high street gaming machines; further notes that the Government's package of reforms will only support the bookmakers whilst further encouraging problem gambling and leaving councils with ineffective powers to deal with the issues; and calls on the Government to use the precautionary principle and reduce the maximum stakes on FOBTs from £100 to £2 in line with all other high street gaming machines.
147 MASS SURVEILLANCE 19:6:14
1That this House notes with great concern that surveillance by GCHQ of every British resident using Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube has now been confirmed by the Director General of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism; further notes that the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) has been interpreted as authorising mass surveillance of internet communications, content and metadata sent inside the UK; further notes that GCHQ justifies such conduct without a warrant on the basis that such data is external under RIPA when mediated by a computer server in the US; believes that this construction is flawed, contrary to evidence given to Committees of the House, contrary to written assurances provided during the passage of RIPA and contrary to the Interception of Communications Code of Practice; further believes that continuous mass surveillance of the social media of every UK citizen is not only incompatible with basic human rights and the Magna Carta but exposes the Government to an avalanche of privacy claims; and urgently calls on the Secretary of State for the Home Department to bring forward legislative proposals to end these practices.
148 KIDNAPPED ISRAELI TEENAGERS 19:6:14
2That this House calls for the immediate release of the three Israeli teenagers, Eyal Yifrah, aged 19, Gilad Shaar, aged 16 and Naftali Frenkel, aged 16, who were abducted whilst hitchhiking in the West Bank on 12 June 2014; supports the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' strong condemnation of the kidnapping; notes the probable involvement of the Hamas organisation in this despicable terrorist act; and calls on the Government to continue to do all it can to help secure the release of the teenagers.
149 HOSPITAL CAR PARKING (No.5) 19:6:14
2That this House notes that 46 per cent of respondents in the most recent National Patient Choice Survey rated car parking as one of the factors in choosing a hospital; recognises that patients should be free to focus solely on getting the best care; is therefore disappointed that so many hospitals choose to charge patients to access a vital national service; and therefore urges the Government to consider ways to reduce the cost of hospital parking.
150 HOSPITAL CAR PARKING (No.6) 19:6:14
2That this House notes that a survey by the charity Bliss found that the average family with a sick or premature baby spent on average £2,256 on hospital-related costs over the course of their baby's hospital stay; further notes that Bliss found that parents who were having to pay for parking spent an average of £32 per week; further notes that many hospitals offer concessions to parents of sick children and celebrates these hospitals; is disappointed that so many hospitals continue to charge parents to see their children; and therefore urges the Government to consider ways to reduce the cost of hospital parking.
151 END-TO-END COMPETITION AND THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL SERVICE 19:6:14
9That this House notes with concern the expansion of end-to-end postal services by TNT Post UK in major UK cities; further notes that the sustainability of the Universal Service depends on Royal Mail being able to use revenue from easier-to-serve, densely populated, areas to cover the cost of a nationwide network; is concerned that cherry-picking of urban and suburban areas by TNT Post UK could have a serious impact on the financial sustainability of the one-price-goes-anywhere, six-day-a-week Universal Service; expresses its support for the Universal Service that many people, including rural communities and small businesses, rely on; and calls on Ofcom to undertake a full review of end-to-end postal competition as a matter of urgency, and determine quickly any regulatory changes needed to protect the Universal Postal Service.
152 CARE HOME TOP UP FEES 19:6:14
4That this House notes the research from the older people's charity Independent Age, which shows that around three-quarters of councils are currently unable to demonstrate that they protect the families of pensioners from paying top-up fees they cannot afford; welcomes the Department of Health's consultations on the rules that local authorities will be required to follow as part of their responsibilities to provide care and support in England; further notes one significant aspect of the consultation, coming to a close in August 2014, concerns the payment of top-up fees for local authority-supported residents entering care home accommodation; calls on the Department of Health to strengthen the legal framework on charging in residential accommodation; and specifically calls on the Government to ensure local authorities are required to actively monitor which of the residents are able and willing to pay top-ups for residential care so no-one has to make these payments for the essential care that it is councils' responsibility to meet.
153 DEBATE ON US-UK MUTUAL DEFENCE AGREEMENT 19:6:14
8That this House notes the expiration later in 2014 of the 10-year extension to the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA); understands that the role of MDA is to improve UK atomic weapon design; believes that the extension of this bilateral treaty undermines US and UK commitments under Article I and Article VI of the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty, which states that each nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty shall not transfer nuclear weapons or explosive devices and shall pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to nuclear disarmament; is concerned that the Government does not see a potential conflict of interest between the MDA and the NPT; and urges that a debate be held in Government time on any proposal to renew the MDA prior to ratification.
154 CONDUCT OF THE HON. MEMBER FOR KINGSTON AND SURBITON 19:6:14
1That this House notes that in 2006 the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change launched the Liberal Democrat energy policy, Say No to Nuclear, in which he said 'a new generation of nuclear power stations will cost taxpayers and consumers tens of billions of pounds. In addition to posing safety and environmental risks, nuclear power will only be possible with vast taxpayer subsidies or a rigged market'; further notes the change in opinion of the hon. Member following his elevation to ministerial office; is shocked by the financially ruinous commitment he has made to buy electricity from a French nationalised company at twice the current business rate and guaranteed that price for the next 35 years; and believes that taxpayers and consumers will be cheated on the lines that he prophesied.
155 CHINESE NUCLEAR INVESTMENT 19:6:14
1That this House notes that in the closing debate on energy prices the Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change observed the hon. Member for Newport West made an ideological speech about nuclear power which he contrasted with the 'pragmatic and considered investment in our nuclear programme announced today by China'; contrasts the Minister's comments with China being identified in the Annual Report on Global Human Rights and Democracy published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as one of the 'countries of concern' because of 'increased restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly'; believes, in light of appalling human rights violations, that accepting money from the Chinese State Investment Bank to invest in UK new nuclear is accepting money tainted with blood; and calls on the Government to cancel all such arrangements.
156 CHILCOT INQUIRY 19:6:14
1That this House calls for publication in full of the Chilcot Inquiry report to give closure to the loved ones of the 179 UK fallen soldiers, to inform serving soldiers that Parliament's decisions on warfare are founded on rigorous examinations of evidence and to reveal to hon. Members the full truth on the evidence for Parliament's decision to join America's war on Iraq in 2003; and believes that an expurgated version of the report would create an impression of an establishment cover-up by politicians and civil servants to protect their reputations.