Session 2015-16
House of Commons
7th July 2015
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
195 HIGH SPEED 2 AND THE MAJOR PROJECTS AUTHORITY REPORT 29:6:15
3That this House welcomes the delayed publication of the Major Projects Authority 2015 Annual Report on the costs of High Speed 2; notes the Department of Transport's conclusion as reported in a 2012 Project Assessment Review by the Cabinet Office, that the costs of this project are so large, and over such a long period, that it will not be able to afford it alongside all its other commitments; recalls the previously leaked assessment that High Speed 2 costs would rise to £138 billion, more than twice the publicly-stated estimate of £50 billion; considers that the likely costs of High Speed 2 if ever built would be so high as to require substantial subsidies and high fares for the long-term future; and therefore urges the Government to cancel the project forthwith, releasing funding for more useful and economically viable investment projects across the railway industry.
199 GREECE AND THE EURO ZONE 29:6:15
16That this House considers that the current crisis engulfing Greece and the Eurozone has demonstrated beyond argument that the single currency project is fundamentally flawed and that modern national economies need their own currencies capable of flexing their international values as vital instruments of macroeconomic policy together with domestic interest rates adjustable to national economic needs; believes that the UK's decision not to join the Euro showed great wisdom and foresight; and, in the event of Greece leaving the Eurozone, would urge the Government to extend the hand of friendship to Greece and the Greek people in their new circumstance as a fellow independent and democratic European nation.
200 MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES 29:6:15
39That this House notes that mental health challenges affect one in four people every year, and it is now essential that through the ambition to achieve parity of esteem that services are properly resourced financially and with trained professionals so that they can be accessed at the earliest opportunity, including services which concentrate on prevention, resilience and wellbeing, as well as services which focus on rehabilitation, with clear objectives set for accessing talking therapies within 28 days and immediate access to emergency care services at the appropriate health setting close to home; and believes that with good public education, stigma and discrimination is replaced with understanding and support.
201 REDUCTION OF THE TURTLE DOVE POPULATION 29:6:15
25That this House expresses concern over the slow rate at which action to tackle the turtle dove depopulation is being resolved; notes that the RSPB has claimed that extinction is a real possibility; supports the efforts of organisations such as Operation Turtle Dove in the research of depopulation; and further supports the conservation programme Fair to Nature which sells conservation accredited food, ensuring farmland is dedicated towards creating natural habitats and food for wildlife such as the turtle dove.
202 EXTINCTION OF TREE KANGEROOS 29:6:15
25That this House recognises and expresses concern over the 14 tree kangaroo species that could soon become extinct due to their endangered status; is concerned with the illegal deforestation and hunting in provinces within Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia that has a detrimental impact on the population of tree kangaroos and other species; supports the Forest Stewardship Council encouraging the public to use only certified wood products and influencing consumer attitudes regarding sustainability standards; and further supports programmes such as Traffic to encourage the Australian, Papua and Indonesian governments to enforce and implement their laws and policies concerning hunting, protecting wildlife areas and deforestation, and its Tree Kangaroo conservation programmes in New Guinea that are engaging the public in protecting the species.
203 TRANSPARENCY IN GREYHOUND RACING 29:6:15
19That this House is concerned over the transparency of greyhound racing welfare records; notes that an estimated 4,000 greyhounds still suffer serious injuries annually through racing; recognises the importance of the upcoming review and assessment of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and calls for greyhounds' injury statistics to be made available to the public for named tracks and also for the complete disclosure of the dog's rehoming after retirement and injuries.
204 REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF RED SQUIRRELS 29:6:15
31That this House is concerned at the decrease in the number of red squirrels over the last 50 years, despite attempts to promote and safeguard the species; supports wildlife organisations that have conservation programmes directed at protecting and sustaining the animals; and encourages local communities to keep a data record of red and grey squirrels sited in order for a map to be made identifying potential areas for action.
206 CAR PARKING ON PAVEMENTS 29:6:15
50That this House supports the campaign by Guide Dogs for the Blind and others to stop cars parking on pavements; considers that parking on pavements is a hindrance to many pedestrians, particularly those with wheelchairs or pushchairs, as well as being of great danger to those who are blind or visually impaired, because of the training of guide dogs, who are trained to lead their owners into open spaces like a carriageway, rather than narrow space between wall and vehicle; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals for powers to legislate for this to be given to the devolved governments and local authorities, while noting that increased awareness of the issue could improve the situation, which is often caused by lack of consideration for vulnerable pedestrians.
207 SUPPORT FOR TAX CREDITS 29:6:15
31That this House supports the current tax credits system as a way to combat poverty and help families as a means of topping up their income and assisting with childcare payments; and opposes any proposal to reduce the family element that would result in lower awards for claimants.
208 SHOTTS TOWN STATUS 29:6:15
27That this House welcomes the efforts of community activists in Shotts, North Lanarkshire in their campaign to see Shotts recognised as a town, rather than a collection of villages, by North Lanarkshire Council; acknowledges a petition nearly 1,000 signatures from local residents demanding the change; recognises that town status would allow community groups, businesses and the local authority to potentially lever new money to regenerate the town centre; and calls on North Lanarkshire Council to process the formalities as soon as possible so that Shotts can take its rightful place as a Scottish town.
209 SUGAR FILM 29:6:15
20That this House commends the makers of The Sugar Film with Damon Gameau, which raises awareness of the alarming levels of sugar in ordinary food and drink products; notes that for 60 days the film-maker consumed foods perceived to be healthy, which actually consisted of around 40 teaspoons of sugar a day; believes that public awareness of the nutritional content in food and drink is an important step in promoting balanced and healthy diets; and further notes that products high in sugar and fat content have contributed to record child obesity, rotten teeth and diabetes levels.
211 PARKHEAD HOUSING ASSOCIATION 29:6:15
34That this House congratulates Parkhead Housing Association on their fantastic achievement in being named Best (Small) Housing Association in Scotland 2015; and recognises the significant impact they have had in the local community and for their tenants.
212 FRIENDS OF QUEEN MARGARET DRIVE AND G20 HERITAGE EXHIBITION IN GLASGOW 30:6:15
25That this House welcomes the launch of the Friends of Queen Margaret Drive group in Glasgow, which has been marked by an exhibition in the city's Kibble Palace, exploring the heritage of the G20 postcode area and local Conservation Area; notes that over 20,000 people have visited the exhibition and 3,000 people attended a special street festival in the Drive on 21 June 2015; thanks the many local residents and business owners who have supported the initiative, including artist Andy Scott who loaned a model of his Kelpies sculpture to front the exhibition; further notes the many plans the Friends group has for redevelopment of the Drive to make it a welcoming, accessible and thriving area of north and west Glasgow; and wishes the group well in its work with Glasgow City Council and other funding bodies in seeking support to realise their vision for the area.
213 RETAINING AS/A-LEVEL MODERN GREEK 30:6:15
13That this House believes that Edexcel's initial decision to discontinue the GCSE, AS and A-level Modern Greek examinations from 2017 is deeply regrettable; recognises that the Greek language is one of the official languages of the EU, spoken in two member states, Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, and that the policy of the EU on languages is to support language learning and linguistic diversity; notes that it states that the Greek language has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records, and forms the basis for a number of modern languages and therefore holds an important place in the history and indeed the future of Europe; further believes that, given this context and the fact there are significant numbers of people of Greek origin living across the UK, the GCSE, AS and A-level Modern Greek qualifications should be retained; and calls on the Government to take steps to ensure exam boards do offer AS and A-level Modern Greek.
214 DUTY EXEMPTION FOR SMALL-SCALE CIDER PRODUCERS 30:6:15
18That this House recognises and values the social and economic contribution of small-scale cider producers, which comprise some 80 per cent of Britain's individual cider makers, believing that they are integral to a great British tradition, supporting a lively pub culture and tourism sector; is concerned that small cider producers are threatened by the European Commission's demand to remove their historic exemption from excise duty, thereby exposing them to a punitive and potentially damaging tax; considers that this action could drive many producers out of business and undermine one of the nation's most historic industries; and therefore urges the Government to reject the European Commission's request and maintain the current position.
215 BUSINESS RATES REVALUATION 30:6:15
21That this House notes that present business rates are based on valuations carried out in 2008, prior to the world financial crash and ensuing recessions; is concerned that the revaluation postponement in 2013 severed the link to rental values, which would otherwise have seen business rates fall in many parts of the country; is further concerned that businesses are, and have been, paying top of the market rates in a depressed climate and will have to do so for a further two years; further notes that this has been felt most by struggling small and medium-sized enterprises, businesses and traders located in town centres, particularly outside London and the South East, the area which has been the biggest beneficiary of the postponed revaluation; calls on the Government to address this problem urgently, and to help small businesses and towns by creating a more conducive environment in which smaller businesses and town centres can grow and thrive; and further calls on the Government to bring forward the date at which business rates will be revaluated and introduced, and to commit through its review to ensure that there is a fair mechanism that enables companies to generate jobs and create wealth and growth in communities.
217 BATTLE OF WATERLOO 30:6:15
9That this House remembers the Battle of Waterloo two centuries ago this month; honours the 27th Inniskilling Fusiliers who were the antecedents of today's Royal Irish Regiment and who fought so bravely to defeat Napoleon at Waterloo; pays homage in particular to the Duke of Wellington, a native of Ireland as it was then; and reaffirms its pledge never to forget those who fell so gallantly for freedom and democracy and who paved the way for the UK's tremendous armed forces of today.
218 QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST 30:6:15
18That this House expresses its most sincere congratulations to Queen's University Belfast for its excellent and ongoing research which has resulted in the development of new drugs to help fight cancer; and acknowledges the importance of such research and development undertaken by Queen's University Belfast and other institutions throughout the UK and across the world.
219 SCHOOL WORSHIP 30:6:15
10That this House acknowledges the importance of daily worship in schools; expresses concern that some are calling for an end to daily worship; and reaffirms the position that currently exists which teaches children the importance of acknowledging God.
220 SEND MY FRIEND TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN 30:6:15
44That this House recognises the importance of education around the world; notes that 58 million children around the world are unable to access their right to education; further recognises that over half of the children who do not go to school are girls; and welcomes the Send My Friend to School campaign for raising awareness of these issues with young people in the UK and encouraging young people to remind world leaders of their promise that all children should get the chance to go to school.
222 SEND MY FRIEND TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN (NO 2) 30:6:15
21That this House applauds the work of the Send My Friend to School campaign, which has brought together thousands of school children across the UK to speak up for the right to education and to remind world leaders of their promise that all children should get the chance to go to school; notes that this promise has not been fulfilled with 58 million children missing out on a primary education; urges governments to address this failing as part of the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals; and commends the excellent work around this campaign by Whittaker Moss and St Vincent's RC primary schools in Norden, Rochdale.
223 CALLING TIME ON NUISANCE CALLS 30:6:15
53That this House recognises that too many members of the public are bombarded with nuisance calls and texts which is a huge issue of concern; is aware that the Which? campaign, Calling Time on Nuisance Calls and Texts, found that eight in 10 people said that cold calls were an annoying interruption to their daily lives and one third saying they have felt intimidated by them, with more than half of people (56 per cent) saying that they had been discouraged from picking up their landline telephone when it rings owing to cold calls; recalls that following this campaign the Government published its Action Plan to tackle the issue and a subsequent Which?-led taskforce was established; supports the series of recommendations this taskforce set out for the Government, regulators and businesses, including introducing legislation to make senior executives more responsible for the actions of their company; calls on the Government to introduce mandatory caller line identification for all marketing calls to enable consumers to more easily report an unwanted caller or to contact the company and request to be removed from their database; and further calls on the Government to look at whether the rules around how our data is collected, used and traded needs to be tightened so that the right balance can be struck between enabling decent businesses to carry out direct marketing activity where consumers have given their consent for their personal data to be used, and preventing the abuse of their privacy by unscrupulous businesses.
224 SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS 30:6:15
28That this House congratulates the University of St Andrews on its continued success in higher education league tables; notes that St Andrews was recently ranked first in Scotland and third in the UK for a second year in a row by The Guardian University Guide; further notes it was ranked first in Scotland and fifth in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2016 and 45th in the prestigious 2015 Leiden Ranking of world universities; and praises the hard work of its staff and students in contributing to this success; and wishes recent graduates well in their future careers.
225 ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION 30:6:15
22That this House notes the health and safety progress made since the Rana Plaza disaster two years ago; commends the signatories of the Bangladesh Accord for their commitment to improving health and safety standards in Bangladesh; calls on business to deliver health and safety in corporate social responsibility, improve reporting and increase transparency in supply chain management; further notes the efforts of Fashion Revolution in asking people to think about the working conditions of those producing their clothes and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health for highlighting the essential role of good health and safety management; and further calls on businesses and the Government to continue to work with the fashion industry, health and safety professionals and the Bangladeshi authorities to improve conditions for all workers in the garment industry.
226 ACCESS TO VIMIZIM 30:6:15
9That this House is concerned that it has been 14 months since the treatment Vimizim was licensed by the European Medicines Agency in April 2014; notes this was a treatment for which the UK led the clinical trial, with the first person in the world receiving the drug being a child in Birmingham; expresses strong concern that no decision has been made on reimbursement following months of process failures; further notes that this is despite the treatment now being available in Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Russian Federation, Turkey, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Canada and United States; is further concerned at this delay given numerous assurances that continuity of drug will occur to those on the clinical trial; expresses urgent concern that, following a lack of engagement and failed process, compassionate free drug provided by the pharmaceutical company will cease by July 2015; believes it is unacceptable that children and young adults are being repeatedly let down and suffering the consequences of bureaucracy; urgently calls on NHS England to provide interim funding for those with ultra-rare progressive conditions who do not have the luxury of time and not immediate access to this licensed life changing treatment.
228 SMA' SHOT DAY CELEBRATIONS 30:6:15
32That this House welcomes the annual SMA' shot day celebrations in Paisley on 4 July 2015; recognises that SMA' shot day is one of the oldest workers' festivals in the world, celebrating Paisley's weavers in an industrial dispute of the 19th century; and congratulates all those who take part in this annual event.
229 INDEPENDENT PRESS STANDARDS ORGANISATION INVESTIGATION INTO AN ARTICLE IN THE DAILY TELEGRAPH REGARDING FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND AND THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR 30:6:15
28That this House welcomes the investigation by the Independent Press Standards Organisation into the inaccurate Daily Telegraph story published in early April 2015 about the memorandum, leaked with the authority of the then Secretary of State for Scotland, regarding a meeting between Scotland's First Minister and the French Ambassador; looks forward to the conclusion of this inquiry; deplores the spurious reasons given by the Scotland Office for not disclosing under Freedom of Information legislation who in the UK Government this memorandum was sent to and in particular the claims by the Scotland Office that to do so would harm relations between the UK and France and damage the physical and mental health of civil servants; and urges the Scotland Office to be open about which Ministers the memorandum was sent to and stop covering this information up.
230 HATFIELD COLLIERY CLOSURE 1:7:15
21That this House notes with dismay that, despite the Herculean efforts of the work force, its representatives and others to keep open Hatfield Colliery in South Yorkshire, a decision has been made to cease production at the pit with immediate effect; recalls that the trades unions concerned together with many hon. Members have openly and long campaigned for the Government to recognise the needs of the area, industry and the UK energy supply sector, pointing out that in contrast to what little efforts have been made to support UK coal production, the EU Commission has stated repeatedly that monies were available to invest to maintain the pit, providing that the Government would support an application for aid; and calls on the Government immediately to become involved in sorting out the mess its inaction has caused and to invest whatever it takes to help miners and their families recover from the negative effects of closure.
231 GLASGOW UNIVERSITY'S CHARLES KENNEDY MEMORIAL FUND 1:7:15
31That this House welcomes the launch of a Memorial Fund by Glasgow University in honour of the late Rt hon. Charles Kennedy MP; recalls the enduring connection Charles Kennedy had with the university as a student, President of the University Union, recipient of an honorary doctorate and latterly as Rector from 2008 to 2014; notes that funds raised will support the naming of a state-of-the-art lecture theatre within a new Learning and Teaching Hub as part of the university's expansion on to the Western Infirmary site close to the current Gilmorehill campus; and shares the university's belief that this permanent memorial in a student-centred project is both a fitting and timely way to commemorate Charles Kennedy's remarkable contribution to the university, and his impact on politics and public life in Scotland and the UK as a whole.
232 CLYDE & HEBRIDES FERRY SERVICES 1:7:15
36That this House notes the current dispute between RMT members and Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) over concerns about future operations of services and employment terms and conditions linked to the tendering process of Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) currently operated by Calmac; further notes that these services were first put out to tender in 2005 by the then Scottish Executive and that repeated attempts by the Government since then to exempt ferry services from the tendering process have been unsuccessful; supports Calmac workers for the work and services that they provide and calls for their concerns to be addressed; further notes that the private sector corporation, Serco is bidding for the CHFS contract; and believes that the interests of islanders, tourism and the Scottish economy would be best served by these vital lifeline ferry services continuing to be operated under a publicly owned operator.
233 MONIAIVE CREATIVE PLACE AWARD 1:7:15
35That this House congratulates the small village of Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway on receipt of its recent award of £50,000 as a Creative Place, recognised by Creative Scotland; notes that Moniaive is a village full of artists, writers and musicians and has more festivals per capita than anywhere else in Scotland; and further congratulates the Moniaive Festival Village, which is a collaboration of all groups in the village, for their tireless work undertaken in pursuing and winning this prestigious award.
234 MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IN THE WORKPLACE 1:7:15
32That this House commends the Women's Tennis Association for introducing regular heat breaks for competitors at Wimbledon once the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius; is surprised that similar provisions are not also in place for male competitors; regrets that workers in the UK have no guaranteed legal safeguards from working in uncomfortably high temperatures, owing to the lack of a statutory maximum temperature at which employers would have to introduce control measures, such as breaks, access to water or air conditioning; appreciates that excessive heat in the workplace is responsible for heat stress and thermal discomfort, and can impact seriously on health, well-being and productivity; recognises that this is not just the case for highly paid tennis stars, but is a matter of concern for workers in a wide range of workplaces including offices, schools, shops, bakeries, vehicles, trains, call-centres, theatres and construction sites; and calls on the Government to adopt the recommendations of the TUC and joint union Cool It! campaign to introduce into law a maximum working temperature of 30 degrees Celsius (or 27 degrees Celsius for those doing strenuous work), beyond which employers would have a statutory duty to introduce effective control measures.
236 PREPAYMENT METERS 2:7:15
98That this House notes the disproportionate costs incurred mainly by poorer households who pay for their gas and electricity using a prepayment meter; has concerns about the adverse impact of these costs on such households' ability to buy and cook food; acknowledges examples of good practice by individual energy suppliers to address this issue; and calls on Ofgem and energy suppliers to initiate a New Deal on Prepayment Meters, under which each supplier proceeds as soon as possible with Smart Pay As You Go Meters for their poorest customers, publishes the additional costs incurred on supplying and maintaining each prepayment meter, abolishes fees for the installation and termination of a prepayment meter, provides two-week credit tokens to households relying on food parcels and who cannot afford to top up their prepayment meter, and offers rebates to prepayment customers caught out by the standing charge on their meter over the summer months.
237 BOYCOTT OF NESTLÉ 2:7:15
13That this House endorses the boycott of Nestlé, one of the four most boycotted companies in the world; urges Nestlé to cease its baby milk substitute marketing policies which are harmful to babies and contravene the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; and supports Baby Milk Action in its efforts to highlight this.
238 ENERGY COMPANY TREATMENT OF PREPAYMENT METER CUSTOMERS 2:7:15
31That this House notes the recent Ofgem report calling on all energy suppliers to treat prepayment meter (PPM) customers fairly; further notes that households need more support in switching to different tariffs and method of supply; believes that companies should abolish the charge for installing PPMs as this adds to debt and investigate the best way to establish a price to beat so that consumers can trust the price they pay is fair; further notes that energy companies apply through the courts for warrants to transfer customers with fuel debt on to PPMs, the very people who are least able to afford high tariffs; further believes that meters should not be routinely used to pay off debt as this leads to self-disconnection; further believes that stronger safeguards are required for the issue of warrants and the authority forcibly to install PPMs where households include vulnerable children or adults; and further notes that the expansion of smart meters into homes presents safeguarding challenges to avoid homes being put at risk of disconnection by a simple click of a mouse.
239 ACTION AID'S FEARLESS CAMPAIGN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS 2:7:15
34That this House welcomes the launch of Action Aid's Fearless campaign; understands that the campaign, launched last week, aims to create far-reaching change and encourage governments, women and men to take concerted action to tackle violence against women and girls around the world; notes with concern that one in three women across the world will experience violence in their lives and understands that violence against women is one of the most widespread violations of human rights; believes that violence against women has a widespread impact, not just holding back the women it affects, but holding back their families and communities too; understands that the Fearless campaign will put women front and centre, giving the public the opportunity to hear their stories, and contribute to the growing conversation; and commends Action Aid for its Fearless campaign and its efforts to give women a platform for their voices to be heard.
240 RIVER THAMES GARDEN BRIDGE 2:7:15
5That this House is concerned that the Mayor of London has commissioned a Garden Bridge over the River Thames without prior public consultation and that between £60 million and £150 million of taxpayers' money will be spent on the project which will lead to the South Bank river walkway being narrowed, many trees and much green space ironically being sacrificed for a project which is labelled as green; notes with concern that the public space, currently grass and trees, would instead be used by private developers for retail, queuing and a platform for corporate entertainment and that views in both directions up and down the River Thames will be irreversibly lost; feels that while some parts of London, particularly in East London, need a new pedestrian river crossing, the proposed area is well catered for with a number of bridges nearby; further notes that with queues of up to 2,500 people, the bridge will not be a functional piece of transport infrastructure; therefore questions whether the project is within Transport for London's (TfL) remit and if TfL funds should be used on its construction and maintenance; and urges the Government to make representations to TfL and the Mayor of London asking them to reconsider the project and consult the public and key stakeholders before proceeding with it.
241 FREE SPEECH IN BAHRAIN 2:7:15
23That this House expresses severe concerns about the ongoing restrictions against free speech in Bahrain; notes the recent findings by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch of reprisals against individuals exercising their right to free speech in Bahrain, including the continued ban on protests and rallies and the systematic use of torture and other cruel and degrading treatment; condemns the harassment, intimidation, detention and sentencing of human rights defender Nabeel Rajab to six months' imprisonment for a tweet critical of the Ministries of Interior and Defence; is concerned at the current trial of Mr Rajab for tweets that may lead to 10 years' imprisonment; is alarmed at the deterioration of the political climate in Bahrain and the crackdown on political dissent and fundamental freedoms in that country; calls on the government of Bahrain to release all political prisoners and those imprisoned for their right to freedom of expression; and urges the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to re-evaluate its assistance to Bahrain in light of these ongoing violations and to implement the recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee in its First Report of Session 2013-14, HC88, by listing Bahrain as a country of concern in its upcoming human rights report.
242 ENGLAND WOMEN'S FOOTBALL TEAM 6:7:15
25That this House congratulates the England Women's Football Team on its outstanding performance throughout the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and in particular its impressive third-place play-off, beating Germany 1-0 to take home the bronze medal; and notes that the conduct and determination of these athletes on and off the pitch will inspire girls and young women to participate and compete in sport and that these women have changed the face of women's football forever and leave a legacy for future generations of female footballers.
243 POST-STUDY WORK VISAS 6:7:15
26That this House supports the re-opening of the Tier 1 (post-study work) route to enable foreign students to remain in the UK; recognises the benefit of allowing qualified, hard-working people to apply for the right to live and work in the UK; acknowledges the contribution that students from outwith the EU make to the UK's economy and society; notes that in Scotland there have been overwhelmingly positive cross-sector and cross-party approval to proposals to re-introduce the post-study work visa; further notes that the Scottish Government has gathered over 100 signatures from professors and business executives in support of the re-introduction of the post-study work visa; and urges the Government to reconsider its approach to immigration policy for the benefit of each constituent nation of the UK.
244 GREECE REFERENDUM 6:7:15
38That this House congratulates the Greek government on holding the referendum on 5 July 2015 to allow the people of Greece to have their democratic say on new bailout proposals; recognises the majority vote for No to the imposition of further austerity measures which have damaged the economy and caused widespread poverty; further congratulates the Greek people on taking a stand against attacks on the living standards of ordinary people; urges the Government to work with the EU Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund to respect the result of the referendum and to return immediately to meaningful negotiations with the Greek government on the terms of the bailout; and believes that an end to austerity measures and a European conference to reach a new agreement on the restructuring of Greek debt, including debt cancellation and a grace period without payments, are necessary.
245 ALCOHOL IN PREGNANCY 6:7:15
8That this House notes the warning given by Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, President of the British Medical Association (BMA), in his address to the BMA's Annual Conference in June, that women should not drink any alcohol in pregnancy; supports Sir Albert's recommendation that alcoholic drinks containers should be required to include more explicit warnings of the risks to babies, making it clear that there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption in pregnancy; agrees with Sir Albert's comments that Government guidelines are confusing, contradictory and inconsistent; and urges the Government to legislate and make mandatory labels on all drinks containers incorporate wording which warns that alcohol consumed in pregnancy can cause irreversible birth defects.
246 LGBT PRIDE MONTH 6:7:15
33That this House welcomes LGBT Pride Celebration Month; understands that Pride Month raises awareness of discrimination and highlights the issues affecting the LGBT community; notes that this year's celebrations followed substantial progress on equalities legislation around the world, with couples in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland recently, and now the US, having the right to equal marriage under law; commends both the Irish people for voting in their millions to recognise equal marriage and the Supreme Court in the US for its decision to abolish any ban on same-sex marriage across all 50 states; further understands that this recent progress for the LGBT community comes after decades of campaigning from civic society and congratulates them on their successes; further understands that, although substantial progress has been made, there is still work to be undertaken; further notes that it is illegal to be gay in 75 countries and is punishable by death in 10; and believes that this highlights the need to ensure that the campaign for LGBT equality continues.
247 RETAINING TURKISH AS AND A-LEVEL TURKISH 6:7:15
10That this House believes that Edexcel's initial decision to discontinue the GCE AS and A-level Turkish examinations from 2017 is deeply regrettable; recognises that there are 100,000 Turkish speakers across the UK and, that with over 63 million speakers worldwide, it is one of the world's major languages; believes, given this context, that the GCE AS and A-level Turkish qualification should be retained; and calls on the Government to take steps to ensure that examination boards do offer AS and A-level Turkish.
248 NEW HOMES FOR THE PENNYBURN ESTATE 6:7:15
21That this House congratulates Irvine Housing Association (IHA) who, in partnership with Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Development Enterprise, have constructed 22 new homes for social rent in the Pennyburn estate, Kilwinning; notes that these new homes have replaced 48 flats categorised as low-demand stock and that all residents who stayed in them were given the opportunity to move into the new homes; is aware that the residents of Pennyburn were fully supportive of this project; and further notes the good work of IHA which over the last three years has attracted inward investment of £6.7 million to support the regeneration of the Pennyburn estate.
249 VOLUNTEER VOCATIONAL CO-WORKERS AT BOTTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 6:7:15
7That this House notes that, until recently, Botton Village, a Camphill Community of 60 years' standing, offered a shared way of life for learning-disabled adults alongside volunteer co-workers, living as equals, sharing home, work, culture and recreation; further notes that Camphill Village Trust (CVT) is now insisting that co-workers become employees, with living quarters segregated from residents; further notes that in 2012, concerns were raised, including on safeguarding, about how the volunteer co-worker model at Botton Village was being run, and in February 2014 the Charity Commission published an operational compliance report that stated that key trustees shared its concerns and were committed to addressing them urgently; further notes that the Commission's report does not state that the existing co-worker model was intrinsically problematic; also notes that the HM Revenue and Customs technical document BIM22040 sets out how to operate a volunteer co-working model; further notes that this model continues to operate at other Camphill communities in the UK; is concerned about reports from families of residents at Botton Village that the loss of the residents' chosen lifestyle, of their home and family life as they know it, and the removal of very dear friends, is causing distress to learning-disabled residents; and therefore urges CVT to work with the authorities to revert to a volunteer co-worker model at Botton Village; and calls on the Department of Health to work with the Care Quality Commission, HM Revenue and Customs and the Charity Commission to support those running intentional communities to ensure that the unique and successful volunteer co-worker model can continue.
250 SUGARY DRINKS AND HEALTH RISKS 6:7:15
9That this House is shocked by Harvard University research showing that sugary drinks are implicated in 184,000 deaths worldwide; is deeply concerned that this figure includes 1,316 people from the UK; notes that added sugars such as those found in fizzy drinks are 11 times more likely to cause Type 2 diabetes than regular sugar; further notes that products high in sugar and fat content have contributed to record child obesity, rotten teeth and diabetes levels; and calls on the Government to expand the Responsibility Deal and set mandatory limits on sugar and fat content, particularly in products that target children.
251 HIV PEER-LED SUPPORT 6:7:15
35That this House recognises the importance of peer-led support for people living with HIV in managing a long-term condition that is too often met with stigma in society; notes that there are now over 1,000 people living with HIV and evidence demonstrates that peer support can improve people's understanding and management of the condition; also notes that the Positive Person's Manifesto produced by HIV Scotland calls for universal access to mental health services and peer support; and welcomes the Work Programme entitled Project 100 which works with non-governmental organisations, HIV clinics and patient groups across the UK to ensure everyone living with HIV has access to effective peer-led support.
252 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES 6:7:15
3That this House supports a London bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
253 FUTURE OF CLYDE AND HEBRIDES FERRY SERVICES 6:7:15
16That this House is concerned that publicly owned lifeline ferry services to the Clyde and Hebrides communities are being put out to tender and may be privatised if the contract for ferry operations is passed from publicly owned Caledonian Macbrayne to corporate giant Serco; notes that the decision as to whether this service will be privatised will be a matter solely for the Scottish Government; believes that those who rely on these services and those who work on them are justifiably concerned for the future, as the Scottish Government privatised the Northern Isles ferry services in 2012 when it handed the contract to Serco, resulting in attacks on services, jobs, manning levels and pensions; is further concerned that, despite doing such a tremendous job, Caledonian MacBrayne workers have yet to receive a positive response from the Scottish Government to their entirely reasonable demands to protect their jobs, conditions and pensions; calls for those concerns to be met; and supports Clyde and Hebrides ferry services remaining in the public sector.
254 PROTECTION OF INVESTMENT FOR TRANSPORT FOR LONDON 6:7:15
11That this House notes the transformation of London's transport system in recent years since the creation of Transport for London (TfL); acknowledges that increases in tube and bus reliability and customer satisfaction are due to sustained Government investment, a sensible fares policy and effective management; recognises that the transport is carrying 30 million journeys per day, more than ever before; further notes that London's population is expected to grow by 1.6 million to reach 10 million people by 2030; welcomes the findings of the OECD which reports that the transport of people, goods and services makes cities work and that it is cities that drive national productivity; notes that 4,000 apprenticeships and over 60,000 jobs outside of London are supported by TfL's investment programme; and urges the Government to protect vital investment for TfL, allowing it to modernise ageing assets on the road, tube and rail networks, maximise capacity, commit to new projects such as Crossrail 2 and further improve rail services in London and the South East.
255 GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS AWARENESS 6:7:15
10That this House supports the launch of the Why guess when you can test? campaign; hopes that this will raise much needed awareness of how to prevent an infection recognised to be the most common cause of serious infection in newborn babies; recognises that group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes septicaemia, pneumonia and meningitis, which all require intensive care and treatment; acknowledges that most of these infections in newborn babies could be prevented by identifying the mothers carrying the bacteria using the simple and accurate Enriched Culture Medium test and the targeted use of narrow spectrum antibiotics; is concerned that GBS infection rates have not fallen despite current guidelines being well implemented; and encourages pregnant women and health professionals to access information on how the devastating impact of group B strep infection can easily be prevented.
256 STAFFING ON FIRST GREAT WESTERN TRAIN SERVICES 7:7:15
5That this House notes that the Department for Transport has agreed with numerous passenger surveys that passengers highly value a member of staff in addition to the driver on trains; welcomes that under railway regulations maintaining the operational role of a guard or conductor guarantees that a second member of staff is on board the train at all times to assist in protecting the safety of the train and passengers and provide ticket and travel advice; is concerned that despite increases in passenger numbers First Great Western (FGW) is planning to use the introduction of the new Super Express Trains to abolish the guard or conductor on these services and therefore weaken the protection for passengers; is further concerned that FGW is also proposing to worsen the service to passengers by the removal of buffet cars, and also cut safety critical station and train maintenance staff and that, as a result of these cuts, a dispute situation exists with the RMT Union; is dismayed that passengers are being treated in this way when they are paying the most expensive fares in Europe, while FGW is making huge profits and First Group's chairman has seen his pay rise by 243 per cent in four years to almost £1.6 million a year; also notes East Coast is introducing the same new feet of trains, without making such cuts; and calls on FGW to think again and reach a negotiated settlement with the unions.
257 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN INDIA 7:7:15
3That this House notes the enduring hunger strike of Bapu Surat Singh in Panjaab, India, which has now exceeded 170 days; further notes this protest against the Indian state and calls for the release of multiple political prisoners who are held by the Indian state; notes the continuing 20-year incarceration of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, whose conviction and imprisonment in 1995 has been widely criticised; notes the lack of medical care offered to Dr Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba whilst in detention and the ban on Indian Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai from coming to the UK to address British MPs; notes the ongoing 14-year hunger strike of Irom Sharmila in Manipur protesting against Indian army human rights abuses; notes the Indian government's ban on the BBC's documentary India's Daughter in March 2015 and its attempts to block the broadcasting of the same in the UK; notes the current Amnesty International special report on human rights atrocities in Kashmir entitled India: accountability still missing for human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and its annual report on India for 2014-15; believes that given the UK's so-called special relationship with India as declared by the Prime Minister, these concerns should be raised with the Indian government; and urges the Government to investigate the reports and raise concerns with the Indian government.
258 PAPAL ENCYCLICAL LAUDATO SI 7:7:15
8That this House welcomes the recent encyclical letter from Pope Francis, Laudato Si, on care for our common home, which calls on all people of goodwill to care for our poorest sisters and brothers, for future generations and for the earth, our common home; recognises the long tradition of Christian teaching on caring for creation; notes the Pope's call for urgent and ambitious action to tackle climate change; understands the devastating impact climate change is having on the world's most vulnerable communities; further notes the connections between environmental degradation and poverty; commends the work of international development agencies such as the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund which are responding to climate impacts on the ground as well as campaigning for greater efforts to tackle climate change; further notes the significance of the Pope's teaching ahead of the agreement of Sustainable Development Goals in September and the UN climate change conference in Paris in December 2015; and calls on the Government to show leadership nationally and internationally so that agreements on tackling climate change and poverty are fair and ambitious.
259 YORKSHIRE DEVOLUTION AND A YORKSHIRE MAYOR 7:7:15
1That this House notes figures published by the Local Government Association that radical steps to devolve power to cities and regions could deliver £11 billion in savings for the taxpayer and generate £80 billion in economic growth, 700,000 new jobs and 500,000 new homes; further notes that Yorkshire has an identical population to Scotland at 5.3 million and a comparable economy worth £102 billion, just behind Scotland at £117 billion; further notes that Yorkshire has nothing like the powers devolved to Scotland and has little power to take decisions affecting Yorkshire itself; recognises that people in all parts of Yorkshire identify with the traditional county of Yorkshire and notes the huge strength of the Yorkshire brand nationally and internationally; further notes that the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill proposes devolution of further powers to city regions if they establish metro mayors; calls on the Government to go further and establish a Mayor of Yorkshire who will champion and harness its huge economic potential; and further calls on the Government to devolve more powers to Yorkshire too as part of this.
260 ANGOLAN BOOK GROUP ARRESTS 7:7:15
19That this House expresses its concern over the arrest and detention of 15 members of an Angolan Book Group, including author and journalist Domingos da Cruz and musician Luaty Beirao, in Luanda last month for reading books deemed so subversive by the Angolan government that its Attorney General described their reading as tantamount to crimes against the security of the state and as a crime of rebellion; has grave concern about the health of the detainees who are being held in solitary confinement with some currently on hunger strike; supports the demands of Angolan and other international human rights groups, including Amnesty International, for the immediate release of these 15 pro-democracy activists; and calls on the Angolan government to allow the basic human rights of free assembly, peaceful protest and freedom of speech.
261 NEWTOWNARDS BOMB 7:7:15
4That this House notes that it has been 22 years since the horrific car bomb that caused massive destruction in Newtownards on 5 July 1993; recalls that despite this being one of the biggest car bombs ever to explode in Northern Ireland, the perpetrators have not been found; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to investigate this horrendous crime which injured so many and left people with mental scars that they carry to this day.
262 NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION 7:7:15
5That this House supports the campaign by the National Farmers' Union to improve safety on the farm; and requests that greater assistance be offered to highlight the educational campaign to make farm buildings and land a safer place for all who work there.
263 SURVEILLANCE OF TRADE UNIONS AND THEIR MEMBERS 7:7:15
4That this House remains deeply concerned about the extent and conduct of undercover police surveillance and the use of covert human intelligence sources; deeply regrets the distress caused to women by undercover officers forming intimate relationships and even fathering children with them; is concerned that police surveillance extended to covert monitoring of anti-racist and family justice campaigns, together with other civil society and political groups; is shocked by the revelations of Peter Francis, former member of the Metropolitan Police Force's Special Demonstration Squad, in relation to the unit's covert state surveillance of trade unions and their members, including Unison, the Fire Brigades Union, the Communication Workers Union, the National Union of Teachers and the construction workers union UCATT; commends the ongoing campaign of the National Union of Journalists over the surveillance of union members; welcomes the inquiry to be conducted by Lord Justice Pitchford into covert police surveillance; and calls on the terms of reference of the inquiry to include an investigation into the practice of covert surveillance of lawful trade union activities.
264 NHS ENGLAND BUREAUCRACY 7:7:15
2That this House expresses extremely strong concern that despite 14 months having passed since the treatment Vimizim was licensed by the European Medicines Agency in April 2014, it remains unavailable for use through NHS England; notes a series of broken commitments on decision dates, moved from 25 June 2015 to 30 June 2015 to 1 July 2015 to eventually 2 July 2015; further notes NHS England's eventual decision was to delay making a decision until October 2015; believes NHS England ultimately failed to make a decision on access to the treatments Vimizim and Translarna, while those who need Everolimus treatment remain in the dark about the possibility of a prescribing policy; strongly believes that it is unacceptable that 218 children and young adults with Morquio syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and tuberous sclerosis complex are being repeatedly let down and suffering the consequences of bureaucracy; and believes that those with ultra-rare progressive conditions do not have the luxury of time and need immediate access to these licensed life-changing treatments.
265 DUNCANRIG SECONDARY SCHOOL 7:7:15
6That this House congratulates Duncanrig Secondary School, East Kilbride, from which Sian Oo won the English Speaking Union Speakers' Corner Challenge on Thursday 11 June 2015 and from which Kate Kane and Sim Oo won the Glasgow Bar Association Debating Tournament on 9 June 2015.
266 FUTURE FUNDING OF S4C 7:7:15
1That this House recognises the value of distinctive Welsh-language broadcasting and the important contribution of S4C in safeguarding the Welsh language and enriching the culture of Wales; opposes any further cuts in S4C funding by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which could threaten the future of the channel; and calls on the Government to maintain the editorial, managerial and operational independence of S4C and recognise the need for a sustainable funding basis to protect the future of Welsh-language broadcasting.
267 OPENING OF CASTELL ABERTEIFI/CARDIGAN CASTLE 7:7:15
1That this House welcomes the official opening of Castell Aberteifi/Cardigan Castle that took place on 25 June 2015 after a 14 year restoration campaign by the local community; notes the importance of the castle to Welsh history, having been the location of the first Eisteddfod in 1176 under the Lord Rhys; congratulates the Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust for raising £12 million for the project; and praises the work of the people of Cardigan in raising £250,000 for its restoration.
268 PETITION ON THE CLOSURE OF THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND BRANCH IN LOCHINVER 7:7:15
6That this House recognises the detrimental impact of the prospective closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Lochinver to the people and businesses in North West Scotland; and applauds the effort of the community in raising a petition of over 700 signatures against this closure and the negative impact this will have on the local economy.
269 OPERATION OF THE LONDON UNDERGROUND AT NIGHT 7:7:15
3That this House notes that uncontrolled and unmanaged night work can have a serious impact on the physical and mental health and well-being of employees as well as a detrimental impact on family and social life; is therefore appalled that the Mayor of London is imposing night working on tube workers without their agreement and is dismayed that tube workers who have only just recently been rightly lauded as some of the heroes of 7/7 are now being treated in such a disgraceful manner; is concerned that the night tube is being rushed in on the back of massive cuts to staffing and strains on the existing infrastructure, raising genuine concerns amongst the workforce that the safety and service to passengers and workers will be jeopardised; and calls for the Mayor to withdraw the imposition of night working on tube workers and instead seek agreement with their trade unions on proper and safe staffing levels and working arrangements.