Session 2014-15
House of Commons
24th October 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
349 HOMECARE WORKERS AND THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE 14:10:14
46That this House is shocked to note that the National Audit Office reported earlier in 2014 that up to 220,000 care workers in England are illegally paid below the national minimum wage (NMW); further notes that an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of care providers between 2011 and 2013 found that 48 per cent were guilty of non-compliance with the NMW; further notes that homecare workers in particular are consistently not paid for travel time or training, too often have illegal deductions made from their pay and are frequently put on zero-hours contracts to deny them their legal rights; recognises that these arrangements have a deleterious impact on quality of care through high turnover of staff and shortened care visits; calls for a statement from the Government on what measures it is proposing to tackle the illegal under-payment of homecare workers; strenuously suggests that HMRC launch a programme of proactive investigations into the sector to help end non-compliance with the NMW, with adequate resources to ensure a thorough and sustained effort; requests that the Government names and shames care providers and councils who fail to pay or commission the NMW as well as name and praise those care providers and councils who have signed up to UNISON's Ethical Care Charter; and further calls for a change in the law to make local authorities and care providers jointly and severally liable for non-payment of the NMW as well as the introduction of stringent regulations under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that care workers are paid at least the national minimum wage.
352 SAFEGUARDING JOURNALISTS AND THEIR SOURCES 14:10:14
27That this House is gravely concerned about recent reports that police forces have used powers contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) to access journalists' sources and materials; notes that unlike requests made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 there is no public record of these requests or their frequency, extent or even the existence of these applications, and there is no judicial oversight or independent process to grant permission to use these powers; further notes and welcomes the Interception of Communications Commissioner's new inquiry that will be asking all chief constables how many applications under RIPA have been granted since 2000 to access journalists' communications, and calls on these findings to be made public; shares the view of Gavin Millar QC that the use of such powers contravenes Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights on freedom of expression that enshrine the rights of journalists and news organisations; shares the concern of the National Union of Journalists and other press freedom and privacy campaigners that this constitutes an attack on the press which will make whistleblowers reluctant to speak to journalists and also make it more difficult to report in the public interest; and therefore calls on the Government to take urgent steps to legislate to ensure there are protections for professions whose communications must be subject to strict confidentiality.
354 HERITAGE LOTTERY FUNDING FOR FIRST WORLD WAR CENTENARY COMMEMORATIONS 15:10:14
17That this House welcomes the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) contribution to the commemorations of the First World War Centenary and recognises that that Fund has already invested over £60 million in projects, large and small, helping communities across the UK to mark the Centenary of the First World War; notes that the HLF will continue to make at least £1 million available per year until 2019 and will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups around the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage; and further welcomes this opportunity for people to deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict and to mark the Centenary over the next four years.
355 GOOD MONEY WEEK 15:10:14
17That this House welcomes Good Money Week 2014, which takes place from 19 to 25 October 2014 and aims to raise awareness of sustainable and responsible finance options for everyone; celebrates the rebranding of the campaign from National Ethical Investment Week to make it more relevant and accessible; notes that research commissioned by the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association shows that 77 per cent of the public want clearer and simpler financial information from the Government and from businesses; further notes with concern that one in five people said they could not explain what a bank was; and urges the Government to recognise the positive impact responsible and sustainable investment practices can have on the economy, the environment and society as a whole.
361 CONTACT THE ELDERLY'S POWER OF CONTACT CAMPAIGN 15:10:14
31That this House shares Mother Teresa’s view that being alone and unwanted is the world’s greatest disease; endorses the view of the Secretary of State for Health that lonely and isolated people are a forgotten million who live amongst us, ignored to our national shame; notes that in the last 50 years Contact the Elderly has provided regular face-to-face contact via volunteers, currently numbering 7,000, from all walks of life, who give their time to create positive social change; further notes that Contact the Elderly’s regular renewal of friendship nationwide restores health and happiness, and saves taxpayer costs by reducing hospital and GP visits; further notes that there is much more to be done in expanding Contact the Elderly’s reach around the country to enable it to double the number of older people that it supports; and calls on hon. Members and the Government to support Contact the Elderly’s Power of Contact campaign to raise £1 million in the Golden Jubilee year to enable the charity to extends its vital hand of friendship to, and create face-to-face happiness links with, many more of the neglected million older people.
363 FAIR TRIAL FOR GHONCHEH GHAVAMI 15:10:14
24That this House is extremely concerned over the current condition of Miss Ghoncheh Ghavami, a 25 year old British Iranian woman who has been detained since June 2014 by the Iranian authorities, after attending a protest outside an all-male volleyball match against the ban of women at such sporting events in Iran; notes that for long periods of her arrest without trial she had been in solitary confinement and without access to her family or a lawyer; and encourages pressure on the Iranian government to release Miss Ghoncheh Ghavami who has reportedly been on hunger strike since 1 October 2014, to ensure her safety and a fair trial.
364 CHURCH IN ALGERIA 15:10:14
12That this House recognises the continuing growth of the church in Algeria which owes a great deal to Lilias Trotter who followed her call from God to minister to Algerians and established the first church there; notes that 135 years on from Lilias' call to Algeria, the church is still flourishing; and recognises the fantastic impact that Lilias, as well as other pioneers, have had on current and future generations.
365 SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY'S BIOLOGY WEEK 2014 15:10:14
19That this House celebrates the launch of the Society of Biology's third nationwide Biology Week 2014 from 13 to 19 October 2014; notes that among its key objectives is a commitment to encourage an interest in science among young people; congratulates the Society for its initiative and the range of innovative events and activities that have been organised; further congratulates the Society for its wider role in promoting events in Parliament on behalf of the science and engineering community to assist hon. and Right hon. Members in their understanding of science; applauds the efforts that are being made throughout the UK, especially by teachers in primary and secondary schools, to revitalise the science curriculum and to convey the excitement of science to pupils and students; further notes the wide range of activities organised by the Society in local communities all over the country which are designed to illustrate and focus on the vital role of biology and the biological sciences; further notes that on 15 October 2014 the parliamentary launch of Biology Week is co-sponsored by the hon. Members for Ellesmere Port and Neston, South Basildon and East Thurrock, and Cambridge; and further notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of biology and the biological sciences have made and continue to make to our understanding of nature, to the quality of life and to the knowledge economy of the 21st century.
366 CITIZENS ADVICE SCOTLAND REPORT, VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE: PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS 15:10:14
21That this House welcomes the publication of Citizens Advice Scotland's report entitled Voices from the Frontline: Personal Independence Payments, which examines the roll-out of personal independence payment to replace disability living allowance; notes that claimants are having to wait an average of six months to receive a decision and in some cases over a year; further notes that such delays prevent people from receiving certain passported benefits, payment of some of which cannot be backdated; considers the cumulative impact of Government policy on disability benefits to have been damaging to many of the most vulnerable people in society; and urges the Department for Work and Pensions to take on board Citizens Advice Scotland's recommendations.
369 HIGHER RATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS USED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS 16:10:14
18That this House welcomes the guidance from the Cabinet Office published in December 2013, on higher rate telephone lines to government departments stating that it is inappropriate for callers to pay substantial charges for accessing core public services; commends the government departments who no longer use higher rate telephone numbers; notes the Department for Work and Pensions as the least compliant with the guidance as it operates more higher rate lines than the other government departments combined and is in contact with some of the most vulnerable in society; calls on the Government and the Cabinet Office to set a deadline of 31 December 2014 for the phasing out of higher rate telephone numbers in all government departments; and further calls on the Government to ensure that arm's-length bodies and private contractors who deliver public services adhere to the same guidance as central Government.
370 NHS PAY 16:10:14
22That this House condemns the Government's decision to reject the Independent Pay Review Body's recommendation that all NHS staff receive a one per cent cost of living pay increase; recognises the incredible dedication and hard work of NHS staff in often difficult circumstances and is dismayed at the Government's decision to penalise public sector workers; recalls the Chancellor of the Exchequer's promise in 2012 that there would be a one per cent rise in public sector pay by 2015; regrets that the actions of the Government have restricted pay rises for nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants for over four years; notes that the NHS would have had a much better financial outlook had the Government not spent £3 billion on an unpopular and unsuccessful NHS reorganisation; and fears for the morale of the NHS workforce, which is the lowest it has ever been and the negative effect this will have on the aspirations of young people to become nurses, midwives or healthcare assistants.
372 EXPULSION OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS DIRECTOR FROM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 20:10:14
15That this House is gravely concerned by the continuing assault on human rights in Congo, and in particular the Kabila regime's decision to expel Scott Campbell, director of the UN's Joint Human Rights Office in Congo, for publishing a report implicating the Congolese National Police in the summary execution of at least nine civilians and the enforced disappearance of 32 others in Kinshasa between November 2013 and February 2014; notes that Save the Congo has described this as Kabila's latest attempt to silence human rights defenders in Congo; supports Save the Congo's call to the Minister for Africa to make urgent representation to the Kabila regime over these issues; and urges the Government to report to the House on the results of the representations as soon as practical.
374 CHILD ABUSE INQUIRY 20:10:14
15That this House notes the instigation of an independent inquiry into historic child abuse by the Home Office which aims to investigate concerns that public bodies and other institutions have failed in their duty to protect vulnerable children from sexual abuse; further notes that the terms of reference as set out by the Home Secretary propose that the inquiry will not take evidence from individual victims, instead collating previous reviews to produce a lessons learnt report; believes that, unless revised, this approach will severely compromise the ability of the inquiry to achieve its stated aims; calls for the terms of reference to be amended to focus on hearing evidence from survivors of organised abuse; further calls for the inquiry to include the creation of a dedicated police team at the National Crime Agency to take evidence alongside the inquiry to investigate and prosecute offenders; further calls for the inquiry to stipulate that it will hold those who have failed in their professional duty, covered up allegations, or been obstructive to account; and further calls on the Government to find a new chair of the inquiry who has palpably demonstrated its willingness to challenge all quarters of the establishment to ensure that it can achieve its aims of providing justice to the victims of historic child abuse.
375 EAST TIMOR MEDIA ACT 20:10:14
12That this House notes that the East Timor (Timor-Leste) Parliament has voted to create a Media Act governing press freedoms; further notes that this bans outlets from employing journalists who have not been approved by a government-funded panel; further notes that it would require all foreign journalists to submit to the approval of this panel before entering the country; recognises that these provisions amount to dramatic restrictions on the freedom of the press in East Timor; further notes that Article 41 of the East Timor Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of the press; further notes that the President and Court of Appeal of East Timor have both found the law to be unconstitutional; further notes that the Parliament is now required to revise or withdraw the law; therefore condemns this law and supports the call of the National Union of Journalists and International Federation of Journalists for the Government to make representations to East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão stressing the need to respect the right of journalists to freedom of expression guaranteed by East Timorean and international law; and urges the Parliament of East Timor to withdraw the bill immediately.
376 UK PENSION SCHEMES INVESTMENT IN CLUSTER MUNITIONS 20:10:14
14That this House notes that the UK is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; believes that the UK should not directly or indirectly support the manufacture of cluster munitions; further notes that the UK pension firms often make investments through third party funds managed by external bodies not bound by UK law; further notes that this includes the Local Government Pension Scheme; further notes that primary responsibility of local authority pension schemes is the return from investment; calls for the Government to investigate providing a framework to advise councils how to approach ethical issues; and calls on the Government to explore ways to prevent UK pension forms investing in the overseas manufacture of cluster munitions.
377 OCCUPY MOVEMENT IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE 20:10:14
9That this House notes with regret that, at a time when all political parties are encouraging greater democratic engagement, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 is being used to prevent the use of Parliament Square by the Occupy movement as a venue for a week of discussion and debates on the nature of our democracy; further notes with concern that the Act and local byelaws are being used to hinder this exercise in people's democracy by banning the use of amplification, banners and even tarpaulins for participants to sit on; calls for a halt to arbitrary and disproportionate police action; and urges all the relevant authorities to co-operate with Occupy to facilitate rather than hinder democracy on Parliament's doorstep.
379 GOUGH WHITLAM 21:10:14
16That this House deeply regrets the death of Gough Whitlam, the former Labour Prime Minister of Australia; notes his rare blend of principle and pragmatism exemplified by his withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam; further notes his dismissal by the Governor General under Crown powers; expresses the hope that Mr Whitlam's legacy and memory will long be cherished and celebrated; and offers condolences and sympathy to his family and many friends.
As an Amendment to John Cryer's proposed Motion (Gough Whitlam):
1Line3, after 'Vietnam;', insert 'acknowledges that indigenous affairs was a policy area the Whitlam government prioritised, empowering indigenous people via a policy of self-determination, land claims, and other social justice issues.'. 22:10:14(a1)
380 CARERS IN THE UK 21:10:14
24That this House is aware that there are currently more than six and a half million carers in the UK providing unpaid care and support to ill, older or disabled relatives and friends, many of whom get no or only limited help to do so; notes that most have to give up work, either partially or completely, to fulfil their roles and consequently experience debt and financial hardship in their lives; realises that if they were to desist from their tasks it would cost the Government £326 million per day - £119 billion per year - to deliver these services; and calls on the Government to introduce measures to end carers' financial hardship, prevent carers' health breakdowns and to find other ways to help them in their magnificent endeavours.
381 MODERN LAWS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE 21:10:14
15That this House notes that legislation concerning the breeding and selling of animals in the UK needs updating to bring them into line with the Animal Welfare Act 2000 so as to significantly raise the minimum standards governing the breeding industries in Britain; and calls on the Government to introduce modern comprehensive laws to cease the illegal trade in animals, with improved enforcement, monitoring and a legal accountability set in stone to ensure proper welfare conditions apply to any breeder.
383 RESPONSE TO HOMOPHOBIA ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT 21:10:14
10That this House condemns the fact that a gay couple was ordered by a bus driver to leave a London bus as a result of their sexual orientation and that the couple were subject to sustained homophobic abuse; recognises that this is in direct contravention of the Equality Act 2010 which prohibits any sort of discrimination or victimisation in wider society including on public transport; welcomes the urgent investigation undertaken by TFL into this matter; and urges the Greater London Authority to conduct a thorough review of the level of equality and diversity training for the staff of all public bodies and executive agencies.
386 PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2014 22:10:14
9That this House notes that November 2014 is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month across the UK and that 13 November 2014 has been designated the first World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day; congratulates all pancreatic cancer charities and their supporters for the various activities being carried out to raise awareness of the disease during November 2014, including Purple Lights For Hope which aims to light up as many public landmarks as possible on 1 November; recognises that pancreatic cancer is the fifth largest cause of cancer deaths in the UK and is predicted to overtake breast cancer as the fourth largest by 2030; further notes that 8,800 people are diagnosed with, and around 8,600 die from, pancreatic cancer each year; acknowledges that the disease has the worst five-year survival rate of the 21 most common cancers, at less than 4 per cent a figure which has remained virtually unchanged over the past 40 years; and urges the Government to do all it can to bring about long overdue improvements to pancreatic cancer awareness, diagnosis, treatment, care and research.
389 JEAN-BERTRAND EWANGA 22:10:14
7That this House expresses its gravest concern at the sentencing of the hon. Jean-Bertrand Ewanga, an Opposition Member of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Parliament, to one year of imprisonment on charges of insulting the President, the Government and Parliament, based on his declaration against the extension of constitutional presidential terms limits at a rally in August 2014; notes that Save the Congo considers him to be a prisoner of conscience, alongside the hon. Eugène Diomi Ndongala, on the basis of his opposition to the current government of Democratic Republic of Congo; and urges the Government to make representations to secure the immediate release of these parliamentarians and other Opposition prisoners jailed on politically-motivated charges in Congo.
390 SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS 23:10:14
2That this House is aware of the importance of science to the nation; notes, however, that in many schools, chemistry teachers do not even have a chemistry degree, there also being an acute shortage of specialist science subject leaders; further notes that evidence shows that teachers who have a specialist background in the subject they teach have a positive impact on a child's education, particularly in science; and calls on the Government immediately to invest in this sector to ensure children are offered science education at a more qualified and specialised level.
391 GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE 23:10:14
2That this House is aware that science helps to drive the UK's economy, with the nation being home to a number of extremely innovative high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises and companies, and our universities being well regarded for their production of world class research, while also at the same time delivering high levels of education and training for the benefit of both national and regional companies; notes, however, that UK investment in science has been held flat since 2010 whilst our international competitors are actively and strategically increasing their overall spend in these areas; and urges the Government immediately to make a long-term commitment to our knowledge and economy by raising its investment in research and development to at least that of the EU average by the end of the next Parliament.
392 MODERN SLAVERY 23:10:14
2That this House believes that British citizens would prefer that the goods and services they purchase from UK companies were free as far as possible from involvement in aspects of modern slavery in either their production or supply; notes that the Government's current proposed legislation is limited in its objectives to ensure that UK supply chains are slavery-free; and calls on the Government, where necessary, to strengthen mechanisms to end this blight in our society.
393 DRIVING AND DIABETES 23:10:14
3That this House welcomes the new report from the Transport Research Laboratory on the forgotten risk of hypoglycaemia among drivers with type 2 diabetes; notes with concern its findings that drivers are not being provided with adequate advice to prevent hypoglycaemic incidents which, as a result of road safety risks associated with debilitating symptoms, can cause them to lose their driving licence and sometimes livelihood; further notes that hypoglycaemia is a side effect of certain types of oral medication for type 2 diabetes; and calls on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, employers and health care providers to ensure drivers are receiving the right treatment and advice to prevent hypoglycaemia and manage diabetes effectively in order to keep them healthy and on the road.
As an Amendment to Robert Flello's proposed Motion (Driving And Diabetes):
1Line2, leave out from 'diabetes' to end and add `and notes how infinitesimally small the number of road accidents involving people with diabetes are when compared for example to the number of injuries and deaths involving cyclists; but would not conclude on the basis of the data that people with diabetes, however they are treated, should have their driving licences withdrawn, any more than the riding of bicycles should be banned from the public highway as it would suggest if reducing accidents is the primary purpose behind this report.'. 24:10:14(a1)
394 ST MUNGO'S BROADWAY PAY DISPUTE 23:10:14
2That this House supports workers at the homeless organisation St Mungo's Broadway in defending their terms and conditions and the service that they deliver to some of the most vulnerable in our society; condemns the significant pay rises to the executive including one to the Chief Executive of over £30,000; contrasts this rise with a claim that front line pay must be removed from collective bargaining and cut by 19 per cent, thus ignoring the union representing the majority of the workforce and imposing these unnecessary changes via a retrospective consultation and following the provision of highly questionable financial information; notes that the future of supported housing should not be left in the hands of individuals who undermine front line worker pay whilst raising their own salaries and who attempt to justify this by claiming they are simply following the market; and calls on the executive and board of St Mungo's Broadway to honour their recognition agreement with Unite and act to resolve this dispute immediately.
395 FUEL POVERTY ACTION'S ENERGY BILL OF RIGHTS 23:10:14
3That this House welcomes the Energy Bill of Rights put forward by Fuel Poverty Action as people-centred proposals to end the scandal of fuel poverty; endorses the campaign for a right to affordable energy to meet basic needs, a right to community and publicly-owned energy generation, a right to energy that does not threaten the climate, water, air or the local environment, and a right to properly insulated, well-repaired housing; believes that these are reasonable, achievable goals offering a clear alternative to centralised profit-driven energy policy; welcomes in particular the proposed right not to be forced to have a pre-payment meter, which often leave vulnerable people in the cold and dark; further welcomes the demand for a fair energy pricing system without standing charges, which can hit the poorest hardest by imposing an unfair burden on people who use less energy to save money and cut carbon emissions; calls on the Government to recognise that, this autumn, many constituents are turning on heating for the first time and finding that, before they can access any gas, they must start paying huge arrears that built up over the summer while they were not using heating; and urges Ministers to consider the Energy Bill of Rights as part of a radically more ambitious approach to tackling fuel poverty and transforming our energy system in the public interest.
397 DEPORTATION OF MR LIAQUAT ALI 24:10:14
1That this House opposes the imminent deportation from the UK to Pakistan of Pakistani citizen Mr Liaquat Ali, because it is believed that his life will be in danger as he is highly likely to be targeted by anti-Shia militants, due among other things to his faith and ethnicity; notes Mr Ali's very high political profile as a political activist in the UK as a promoter of Hazara interests and founder of the Hazara United Movement, and as editor of an internet television channel which has brought about electronic threats to his life, including letters delivered to his parents' house in Pakistan; appreciates that, based on these and other facts put forward in his asylum claim to the UK Border Agency (UKBA), there exists a very real risk of persecution for a Convention reason and treatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights if he were to return to Pakistan; and calls on the Government urgently to make strong representations to UKBA in relation to this very serious case.