Session 2015-16
House of Commons
8th 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
4That 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
20That 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
42That 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.
204 REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF RED SQUIRRELS 29:6:15
32That 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
51That 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
32That 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.
214 DUTY EXEMPTION FOR SMALL-SCALE CIDER PRODUCERS 30:6:15
22That 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.
217 BATTLE OF WATERLOO 30:6:15
10That 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
19That 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
11That 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
47That 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
23That 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
54That 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
29That 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.
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
29That 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.
231 GLASGOW UNIVERSITY'S CHARLES KENNEDY MEMORIAL FUND 1:7:15
35That 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
38That 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.
235 HATFIELD COLLIERY CLOSURE (NO. 2) 1:7:15
27That this House is disappointed and deeply saddened by the announcement that employee-owned Hatfield Colliery has ceased production following a refusal by the Government to provide the required financial assistance; deeply regrets the imminent loss of the jobs of 428 miners and support staff, the impact this will have on the supply chain and the wider community; and urges the Government immediately to intervene, providing additional funding to secure the future of deep mining at the colliery.
236 PREPAYMENT METERS 2:7:15
100That 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
15That 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
35That 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
38That 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
6That 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
27That 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
30That 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
31That 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
44That 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
13That 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
37That 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.
248 NEW HOMES FOR THE PENNYBURN ESTATE 6:7:15
25That 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.
250 SUGARY DRINKS AND HEALTH RISKS 6:7:15
13That 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
39That 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
4That this House supports a London bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
254 PROTECTION OF INVESTMENT FOR TRANSPORT FOR LONDON 6:7:15
12That 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
13That 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
11That 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
7That 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
15That 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.
260 ANGOLAN BOOK GROUP ARRESTS 7:7:15
30That 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.
262 NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION 7:7:15
11That 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
12That 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
5That 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
15That 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
4That 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
5That 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
12That 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
8That 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.
270 COMMUNITY COHESION IN WEST YORKSHIRE 8:7:15
3That this House recognises the excellent work that Muslim community groups and individuals carry out across West Yorkshire and the work that many mosques engage in to ensure that young worshippers are protected from extremists who seek to influence them to do harm to themselves and others; considers that the diversity of communities across West Yorkshire is a strength and not a weakness; further recognises that countless young people of all backgrounds across West Yorkshire are committed to building a united positive future for themselves and others; and welcomes the fact that, across West Yorkshire, communities are united in condemning violence and work together harmoniously and effectively throughout Yorkshire as a whole.
271 PUBLIC HEALTH AND ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES 8:7:15
1That this House is extremely concerned about the proposed £200 million cuts to public health budgets this year; is alarmed that already stretched contraceptive care and services are likely to be at risk, leaving women without good access to a full range of contraceptive options that can allow them to plan for their families and avoid unintended and unwanted pregnancies; questions the rationale of these cuts when the Department of Health itself has said that £1 spent on contraception averts £11 in associated costs; and calls on the Government to work with local authorities to ensure that decisions are not taken that inadvertently lead to an increase in the number of unintended pregnancies and the considerable associated costs to individuals, families and society as a whole.
272 HOMELESSNESS CASEWORKERS AND GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL 8:7:15
7That this House notes that UNISON members employed as homelessness caseworkers by Glasgow City Council are now marking their 15th week of continuous, all-out industrial action over pay and grading issues, seeking parity with other social work staff undertaking similar tasks; further notes that the Council has attempted to discuss cutting staff numbers of those involved in delivering this service; supports the homelessness caseworkers in the work they carry out; and calls on Glasgow City Council to enter into meaningful dialogue and to settle this industrial dispute, ensuring that this vital service is protected and staff are upgraded appropriately.
273 PET SAFE LABELLING 8:7:15
1That this House notes the recent survey of 2,000 cat and dog owners in the UK by More Than insurance, which showed that 78 per cent of British gardens contain plants that are toxic to cats and dogs; is concerned that 31 per cent of respondents did not realise that their pets can become poisoned by eating or even simply brushing against these and other plants and flowers commonly found in many gardens or as cut flowers or plants in the home; and calls on producers, suppliers, retailers and the Government to work together to ensure the clear labelling of seeds, plants and cut flowers to show consumers whether an item is safe or harmful to cats and dogs, a measure supported by the RSPCA, the Cats' Protection League and 86 per cent of cat and dog owners.
274 HEALTH AND CARE PROFESSIONS COUNCIL 8:7:15
1That this House notes that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is increasing its mandatory fees for all 16 regulated professions by a massive 12.5 per cent on 1 August 2015; further notes that this follows a five per cent increase in 2014, breaches an undertaking not to review fees again until 2016, and affects 330,000 dedicated staff, from paramedics to social workers, occupational therapists to physiotherapists, across the UK; notes that less than a third of the increase is accounted for by a levy on HCPC to fund the Professional Standards Authority (PSA); is aware that these dedicated workers have suffered five years of pay freeze and pay restraint; understands that the overwhelming majority of respondents to a consultation by HCPC were against such a massive increase including 97 per cent of UNISON members surveyed; is astonished that HCPC ran a surplus of £1.3 million and increased its general reserves by nearly £1 million in 2014 but is pressing ahead with little public and no Parliamentary scrutiny; calls on HCPC to delay any rise until the Health Select Committee holds its annual accountability hearing and until it fully considers the cost savings that enactment of the Law Commission draft Bill Regulation of health and social care professionals will enable; and further calls on the Secretary of State for Health to resume central funding of the PSA, to instruct HCPC to reduce the costs of unwarranted investigations and hearings before raising fees and to protect registrants in future from fee increases that exceed registrants' annual awards.
275 MONEY LAUNDERING THROUGH LONDON PROPERTY MARKET 8:7:15
1That this House notes the recent screening of From Russia with Cash on Channel 4; expresses its concern that the proceeds of corruption are being laundered through the London property market via the use of anonymous offshore companies; and recommends that corporate transparency become a Land Registry requirement so that any foreign company intending to hold a property title in the UK is held to the same standards of transparency required of UK registered companies, so preventing London or other locations from becoming a safe haven for the corrupt.
276 EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE - GLASGOW ASSOCIATION OF MENTAL HEALTH, QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY AND GLASGOW OPEN MUSEUM 8:7:15
11That this House welcomes the first partnership project of its kind to help widen participation in higher education in Scotland and to be showcased in a new student exhibition, starting at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow on 3 August 2015; recognises the work of Queen Margaret University, working with Glasgow Association for Mental Health and Glasgow Open Museum to provide adult learners with an opportunity to learn about sociology and art, highlighting personal academic achievement but also an important stage in the students' recovery journey and going beyond the limitations placed on them by social attitudes to mental health; and congratulates all involved for encouraging the students to explore sociological explanations of identity, community and society by engaging with, and interpreting, a wide range of art and artefacts from the Museum's collection.
277 CONFLICT IN SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN 8:7:15
3That this House is deeply concerned about ongoing conflict, humanitarian crises and human rights challenges in Sudan and South Sudan; notes the UK's important contribution to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended one of Africa's longest running civil wars and led to the secession of South Sudan; is gravely concerned that conflict now rages in both Sudan and South Sudan whilst issues between the two countries remain unresolved; is alarmed that in both countries, millions are displaced and humanitarian conditions are some of the worst in the world, despite substantial support from the UK; takes a long-term view of the wider challenges facing the two countries, including the outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan; and calls on the UK to continue and expand its humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to support the people of Sudan and South Sudan in their search for peace, reconciliation and justice.