House of Commons
Session 2017-19
Published: Tuesday 9 April 2019
Early Day Motions tabled on Monday 8 April 2019
Early Day Motions (EDMs) are motions for which no days have been fixed.
The number of signatories includes all members who have added their names in support of the Early Day Motion (EDM), including the Member in charge of the Motion.
EDMs and added names are also published on the EDM database at www.parliament.uk/edm
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.
New EDMs
2272 FAIR PRICING FOR MEDICINES
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 1
Stephen Doughty
That this House notes with deep concern that the issue of excessively high medicine prices and systemic lack of transparency in the Research & Development (R&D) system is a global crisis; further notes that the second Fair Pricing Forum will take place in April 2019 presenting a critical opportunity for stakeholders to discuss how to respond to arbitrary priced medicines and define what is a fair price for medicines; acknowledges that different people will have different understandings of what is fair price; believes that a definition of fairness must prioritise access to medicines and transparency of R&D outlays and price-setting; and calls on the UK Government and other World Health Organisation member states to support Italy’s draft resolution entitled, Improving the transparency of markets for drugs, vaccines and other health-related technologies that will be discussed at the 72nd World Health Assembly.
2273 FUNDING SUCCESS OF THE CALMAN TRUST
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 1
Drew Hendry
That this house congratulates the Calman Trust In Inverness on its recent success in securing £123,946 in funding from BBC Children in Need; notes that the Calman Trust runs the popular Inverness city centre ArtySans Café; welcomes the news that this funding will enable the Trust to deliver a programme of support to young people who are not in employment, education or training to help them develop skills such as cooking, independent travel and digital skills; and wishes the Trust continued success in the running of its café and delivery of its programme.
2274 GAY RIGHTS IN BRUNEI
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 1
Jo Swinson
That this House notes with alarm that stoning to death as the punishment for homosexual sex came into force on 3 April 2019 in Brunei; further notes that this is part of an enactment of the Sharia penal code formally published in 2013 that also includes stoning for adultery and amputation for theft; is appalled by this barbaric and inhumane violation of human rights; notes that Brunei became a member of the Commonwealth in 1984; further notes the Ministerial visit in August 2018 by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the visit of the Trade Envoy Paul Scully in November 2018; believes that LGBT rights are human rights and the protection of those rights should be a central element of UK foreign and trade policy; calls on the Government to use its position as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to propose the suspension of Brunei from the Councils of the Commonwealth; and further calls on the UK Trade Envoy to raise this in future discussions with Bruneian officials.
2275 UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 2
Mr Alistair Carmichael
Alison Thewliss
That this House notes with concern the proposed introduction of a new penal code in Brunei which would be a major infringement of the human rights of the LGBT+ community in that country; welcomes the decision of the University of Aberdeen to review the honorary degree awarded to the Sultan of Brunei as a result of the introduction of that code; calls on the university to extend its review to all people that have been awarded honorary degrees; and further calls on other universities to review awards of honorary degrees that have been awarded to ensure that people that abuse human rights are not honoured by the award of such degrees.
2276 ANTISEMITISM
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 43
John Mann
Wes Streeting
Dr Lisa Cameron
Glyn Davies
Mary Glindon
Sir Kevin Barron
Bob BlackmanKeith VazMs Marie RimmerJustin MaddersGareth ThomasTom BrakeIan C. LucasCatherine McKinnellAnna TurleyDame Louise EllmanJeremy LefroyMike AmesburyWera HobhouseJohn GroganRuth SmeethGareth SnellRuth CadburyMelanie OnnMrs Emma Lewell-BuckKevin HollinrakeScott MannJim ShannonCaroline FlintJim FitzpatrickMr David LammyAlison McGovernStephanie PeacockLouise HaighStephen DoughtyJack DromeyMs Harriet HarmanMr Clive BettsFiona OnasanyaRobert HalfonMr Ivan LewisDame Margaret HodgeJohn Woodcock
That this house notes the contribution of 1 million euros made by Borussia Dortmund Football Club towards the expansion of Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Israel; congratulates the club for their commitment to the memory of the Holocaust and their ongoing action against modern day antisemitism; further highlights an example of best practice and leadership shown by Borussia Dortmund; and looks forward to similar significant contributions to tackling anti-racism across the football world.
2277 190th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION ACT 1829
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 1
Mike Kane
That this House notes that 13 April 2019 is the 190th anniversary of Royal Assent being given to The Catholic Emancipation Act 1829 which, in permitting Catholics to sit in the House of Commons, was a crucial milestone in the restoration of religious freedom; welcomes the contribution to politics that Catholic hon. Members have made over many years in both Houses of Parliament and in all political parties and none; and invites the trustees of the Speaker’s Art Fund to consider ways that this important development can be properly acknowledged within the Palace of Westminster.
2278 SPECIAL OLYMPIANS FROM PRESTWICK TENNIS CLUB
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 6
Dr Philippa Whitford
Chris Law
Ronnie Cowan
Martyn Day
Brendan O'Hara
Martin Docherty-Hughes
That this House celebrates the accomplishments of two Scottish Olympians who both won medals at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi 2019; notes that Jack Dickson won gold in the Men's Singles and bronze in the Men's Doubles and Frances Smiley won silver in the Ladies Singles; further notes they were two of only six British tennis competitors at the games and congratulates their coaches at Prestwick Tennis Club; recognises the hard work and training they and their coaches put in to their accomplishments; further wishes them well for the future and for their careers; and congratulates all athletes who trained hard and competed in the 2019 Special Olympics.
2279 COMMERCIAL PRESSURE ON OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SAFETY
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 7
Alex Cunningham
Mr Alistair Carmichael
Ian Mearns
Ronnie Cowan
Mary Glindon
Chris Stephens
Grahame Morris
That this House notes the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) review of its CAP1145 measures introduced in 2014 to improve commercial offshore helicopter safety as a result of a series of incidents involving Super Puma helicopters in the North Sea which claimed twenty lives in four years; recalls that CAP1145 included changes to emergency breathing systems, emergency floating equipment and seating but only recommended self-regulation in response to helicopter operators’ concerns over commercial pressures; notes that offshore workers’ confidence in the safety of helicopter transport has declined since 2014; supports the view of the RMT and Unite trade unions that a failure to fully assess the safety impact of commercial pressures on offshore helicopter operations combined with CAP1145’s focus on survivability rather than prevention of helicopter accidents risks entrenching workers’ safety concerns; pays tribute to the victims of those tragedies, including the thirteen crew and offshore workers in the Norwegian sector who died in a Super Puma accident on 29 April 2016; notes that although Super Pumas are no longer in use over the North Sea, new helicopter models are some years away from introduction; and calls on the Government to launch an independent public inquiry into offshore helicopter safety, covering the crucial area of commercial pressure, in order to effectively address offshore workers’ concerns over the safety of offshore helicopter transport to economically vital offshore energy installations and vessels.
2280 FAIRTRADE AND CHOCOLATE
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 1
John Grogan
That this House notes that the global chocolate industry is worth in excess of £99 billion, with the average UK citizen consuming 8.4 kilograms of chocolate in 2017; recognises the ongoing plight of many in the global chocolate supply chain which has led to farmers in places like Ivory Coast and Ghana being underpaid and exploited for their substantial efforts; supports the Fairtrade Foundation in their petition calling for an end to exploitation in the chocolate supply chain; and calls on the Government to provide a global lead on this issue and target aid in a way which supports farmers involved in the cocoa industry to achieve a living income.
2281 CENTENARY OF THE JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE
Tabled: 8/04/19 Signatories: 1
Bob Blackman
That this House remembers the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where troops of the British Indian Army opened fire on a peaceful crowd in the Jallianwala Bagh Gardens of Amritsar, Punjab; notes with horror, figures supplied by the UK Government which state 379 died and 1,000 were wounded, while the Indian Government has demonstrated that they believe the final figures to be 1,000 dead and 1,500 wounded; is saddened that no official apology has been issued by the Government; and on the occasion of the centenary of the massacre on 13 April 2019 calls on the Government to apologise for the UK's role in the massacre.
Added Names
Below are EDMs tabled in the last two weeks to which names have been added. Only the first 6 names and any new names are included.
2103 National Health Service
Tabled: 25/02/19 Signatories: 66
Jeremy Corbyn
Jonathan Ashworth
Barbara Keeley
Julie Cooper
Valerie Vaz
Mr Nicholas Brown
Clive Efford
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Amendments Relating to the Provision of Integrated Care Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 248), dated 13 February 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 13 February 2019, be annulled.
2220 CLOSURE OF THE HONDA SWINDON PLANT
Tabled: 25/03/19 Signatories: 60
Grahame Morris
Mr Jim Cunningham
Kate Hollern
Mike Hill
James Frith
John Cryer
Conor McGinnCaroline FlintPaul GirvanMarsha De CordovaJack DromeyJohn GroganMr George Howarth
That this House is deeply concerned at the news that Honda plans to close its Swindon plant; recognises the devastating impact this planned closure will have on the 3,500 people directly employed by Honda as well as the thousands of people whose employment depends on the supply chain, their families and the communities supported by them; notes with distress that this would be the first closure of an automotive plant since 2013; is alarmed as this reflects a worrying wider trend in UK manufacturing where 130 jobs are currently being lost each day; further notes that exports of finished vehicles from the UK, including 85 per cent of Honda production, are key to a diverse economy and balance of trade; and urges the Government to take urgent action in developing a clear plan to transition the UK automotive sector towards a green and clean future beyond the combustion engine, keep Honda in Swindon and its supply chain secure, while preserving the UK's status as a global lead in the automotive industry.
2229 EXPLOITATION OF COCOA FARMERS
Tabled: 26/03/19 Signatories: 31
Christine Jardine
Jamie Stone
Paul Farrelly
Sir Peter Bottomley
Mr Roger Godsiff
Janet Daby
Tommy SheppardSir Edward Davey
That this House supports the Fairtrade Foundation petition which calls on an end to the exploitation of cocoa farmers; understands that some cocoa farmers are currently earning less that 75p a day, which is less than half of what they need for a good standard of living; further understands that world cocoa prices recently fell by more than a third which has resulted in cocoa farmers being hit the hardest; notes with concern that unfair prices are forcing cocoa farmers into serious poverty as they struggle to afford essential goods and services such as access to safe water and medical treatment; and calls on the Government to target UK aid so that a living income can be introduced for cocoa farmers to ensure that they earn a fair wage for the hard work that they undertake.
2230 TACKLING RACISM IN FOOTBALL
Tabled: 26/03/19 Signatories: 26
Alex Sobel
Sir Mike Penning
Paul Farrelly
Sir Peter Bottomley
Mr Ronnie Campbell
Chris Stephens
Sir Mark HendrickSir Edward Davey
That this house condemns the racist abuse directed at players in the England football team in their Euro 2020 qualification match in Montenegro on 25 March 2019; supports UEFA’s quick and decisive action in opening disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro; and agrees with footballer Raheem Sterling that any racist chanting should be collectively punished with stadium bans.
2232 INCLUSIVE PEACE AND PROTECTION OF DEFENDERS IN COLOMBIA
Tabled: 26/03/19 Signatories: 23
Patrick Grady
Chris Bryant
Tom Brake
Fiona Bruce
Jo Stevens
Sir Peter Bottomley
Sir Edward Davey
That this House encourages further steps to be taken to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Peace Accord between the Colombian Government and the FARC signed in November 2016, including its gender-based agreements and prioritisation of victims' rights; recognises the vital role of civil society organisations and human rights defenders in the effective implementation of that Accord; is very concerned that 172 human rights defenders were killed in Colombia in 2018 according to the Colombian Ombudsman; notes also with concern the death threats against Zenú Indigenous leader Irrael Aguilar Solano and Human Rights Defender Danilo Rueda from the Comision Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz; regrets that the breakdown of peace talks with the ELN guerrilla has increased violence against, and suffering in Indigenous, Afro-Colombian and peasant rural communities and humanitarian zones, including in medio-Atrato Chocó, Curvaradó and Jiguamiandó, which are caught between neo-paramilitary groups and ELN guerrilla, and subject to threats and intimidation; urge both the Colombian State and the ELN to work towards a peaceful and negotiated solution to the armed conflict; and calls on the Government to ensure that the recommendations in the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders' 2019 report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders are incorporated into, and monitored by, the UN Security Council's Verification Mission to Colombia.
2236 BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH WEAR A HAT DAY
Tabled: 26/03/19 Signatories: 18
Mr Alistair Carmichael
Paul Farrelly
Bob Blackman
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Mr Roger Godsiff
Mr Jim Cunningham
Tom Brake
That this House supports Wear a Hat Day on Friday 29 March 2019; notes that this is the UK's biggest brain tumour research fundraising event; congratulates Brain Tumour Research and their supporters on their efforts to fundraise and raise awareness of brain tumours; recognises that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and that Wear a Hat Day helps to support brain tumour patients, who on average are £7,943 worse off per year, compared with other cancer patients; and urges the Government to help improve research and awareness of brain tumours.
2238 REVIEW OF PUBS CODE
Tabled: 26/03/19 Signatories: 21
Toby Perkins
Mr Adrian Bailey
Gareth Snell
John Grogan
Matt Western
Mr Roger Godsiff
Conor McGinnSir Mark Hendrick
That this House notes the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy told the House on 8 January 2019 that the Government would be announcing the statutory review into the success and operation of the Pubs code and Pubs code adjudicator by 31 March 2019; recognises that this review is a key opportunity to ensure that the Government delivers on the objectives that prompted the Pubs code; calls on the Government to ensure that the review is open and transparent and not only provides an opportunity for those who are committed to our pubs industry to contribute, but also makes public the evidence that is heard; and call on the Government to publish a draft terms of reference and draft timetable for the review by 31 March.
2241 2019 LOAN CHARGE IMPLEMENTATION
Tabled: 27/03/19 Signatories: 33
Kirsty Blackman
Ian Blackford
Alison Thewliss
Hannah Bardell
Drew Hendry
Martyn Day
Mr Jim Cunningham
That this House condemns the UK Government and HMRC's implementation of the 2019 LoanCharge; notes the 2019 Loan Charge was introduced by the Treasury to tackle disguised remuneration tax avoidance schemes through which loans were paid instead of regular forms of remuneration; is dismayed by reports that HMRC's handling of the measure is reportedly leaving individuals facing bankruptcy or homelessness as a result; regrets that tax professionals advised clients to use the mechanism; instructs the UK Government to pursue these organisations; further instructs the UK Government to take steps to tackle tax avoidance and evasion more generally which it has so far proven unwilling to do; notes the importance of people paying their fair share for the public services citizens use, but also the expectation that taxes are collected in a reasonable and responsible manner; demands that HMRC now works with those with an outstanding balance to ensure a reasonable repayment plan can be put in place; further demands the UK Government as a matter of urgency puts in place measures to ensure those affected do not lose their homes or businesses; and instructs UK Ministers to meet with any Parliamentary group wishing to get assurances on the loan charge or MPs making representations on behalf of constituents.
2243 TRADE UNION RIGHTS OF ACCESS TO WORKPLACES
Tabled: 27/03/19 Signatories: 37
Ian Mearns
Angela Rayner
Justin Madders
Grahame Morris
Chris Stephens
Lisa Nandy [R] [R]
Sir Mark Hendrick
That this House believes that the right to join a trade union is a basic democratic right, and that trade unions play an invaluable role in defending the pay, terms and conditions of their members; regrets that presently in the UK there is no legal right of access to workplaces for unions to recruit new members, and that a number of employers actively seek to bar trade union activists from the premises; notes that this situation contrasts starkly with the law in New Zealand, where legislation prevents employers from unreasonably withholding access to the premises as long as sufficient notice is given by the trade union; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to give trade unions similar rights of access to work places in the UK.
2244 TACKLING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT IN PARLIAMENT
Tabled: 27/03/19 Signatories: 11
Caroline Lucas
Jo Swinson
Liz Saville Roberts
Sir Mike Penning
Jim Shannon
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Sir Edward Davey
That this House acknowledges the progress made towards addressing sexual harassment in Parliament as a workplace with the establishment of a bicameral working group on an lndependent Complaints and Grievance Policy and the subsequent creation of two new independent helpline services; recognises the important work done by Laura Cox QC, Gemma White QC, Naomi Ellenbogen QC, and Rt. Hon Andrea Leadsom in launching independent inquiries into bullying and harassment in Parliament; considers that further action is needed to ensure Parliament is a best practice workplace and to address continuing gaps in the protections afforded to individuals; urges the Government to reform legislation so that MPs and volunteers are covered under existing laws, strengthen and reinstate Section 40 of the Equality Act to provide third party protection for all workers, impose a new legal duty on employers, backed up with a statutory code of practice, to prevent and tackle sexual harassment, implement the recommendations made in Dame Laura Cox's report that would ensure Parliament's processes are completely independent, transparent and prioritise the wishes of the complainant; and urges Parliament to work proactively with political parties to ensure the establishment of independent and effective complaints policies to adequately address sexual harassment within political parties.
2252 STILL GAME
Tabled: 29/03/19 Signatories: 21
Chris Law
Gavin Newlands
Patrick Grady
Ged Killen
Drew Hendry
Hannah Bardell
Stewart Malcolm McDonaldDr Lisa CameronJohn McNallyMarion Fellows
That this House celebrates the cultural impact of BBC Scotland sitcom Still Game following the broadcast of its final episode on 28 March 2019; acknowledges that Jack and Victor have moved on from Osprey Heights, Boabby the Barman has pulled his last pint in the Clansman, Tam has no more pennies left to pinch, Winston has placed his last bet with Stevie the Bookie, Isa has no more gossip to spread throughout Craiglang, and Navid has even sold out of pineappleade; recognises the longevity of the show’s success from its origins as a stage play in the 1990s, to its sixty-two episodes broadcast from 2002 until 2019, and its run of 21 sell-out shows at Glasgow's SSE Hydro in 2014; notes that Still Game won multiple BAFTA Scotland awards including Best Entertainment Programme, Best Television Performance, and Best Actress, and was nominated for Rose d’Or and National Television awards; congratulates its creators Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan for creating iconic characters, bringing generations together, and providing hours of laughs; and wishes the cast and crew all the best for their Final Farewell live shows later this year.
2255 MERSEY CROSSING TOLLS (No. 2)
Tabled: 1/04/19 Signatories: 7
Mr George Howarth
Dame Louise Ellman
Jim Shannon
Mr Jim Cunningham
Mr Ronnie Campbell
Conor McGinn
Gordon Marsden
That this House notes with alarm the cost of travelling to and from work for those who have to use the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the Mersey Gateway Bridge, which amounts to a cost of more than £900 a year; further notes that in some cases this additional cost has led to some commuters having to leave their employment; and calls on the Government to give urgent consideration to scrapping the tolls altogether without any loss of revenue to local transport funding.
2259 VOTE LEAVE'S BREACH OF ELECTORAL LAW
Tabled: 1/04/19 Signatories: 9
Layla Moran
Tom Brake
Jamie Stone
Christine Jardine
Wera Hobhouse
Catherine West
Sir Edward DaveyHelen Hayes
That this House recognises that Vote Leave committed multiple offences under electoral law regarding campaign spending and funding; acknowledges that Vote Leave was fined a total of £61,000 for multiple offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (“PPERA”); notes with concern that Vote Leave has acknowledged that it broke electoral law by dropping its appeal against the Electoral Commission’s ruling; calls on the heads and figureheads of the Vote Leave campaign publicly to apologise for the organisation’s misconduct; calls on Her Majesty’s Government to act; and expresses its desire for a new referendum to be called on the UK’s membership of the EU given the invalidity of the 2016 referendum.
2260 CENTREPOINT'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Tabled: 2/04/19 Signatories: 18
Neil Coyle
Jim Shannon
Tim Farron
Emma Reynolds
Bob Blackman
Mr Roger Godsiff
Layla MoranTom BrakeWera HobhouseTonia AntoniazziHelen Hayes
That this House commends the work of youth homelessness charity Centrepoint on their 50th anniversary; is deeply concerned that in 2017-18 an estimated 103,000 young people in the UK were homeless or at risk; regrets that five decades on Centrepoint are still working with homeless young people in crisis who face the challenge of finding affordable housing and a living wage; recognises that under-25s leaving hostel accommodation are only entitled to the Shared Accommodation Rate of Local Housing Allowance, which rarely covers the full cost of renting a room; recognises that over-25s leaving hostel accommodation are exempt from this lower rate, increasing their ability to move into longer term accommodation and to free up hostel spaces for others in urgent need; supports Centrepoint’s recommendation to extend the exemption from the Shared Accommodation Rate to under-25s; and believes that young people deserve the same chance to move on from homelessness for good.
2261 CHARITY LOTTERY ANNUAL SALES LIMIT
Tabled: 2/04/19 Signatories: 10
Sir David Amess
Brendan O'Hara
Mr Alistair Carmichael
Ben Lake
Jim Shannon
Bob Blackman
Stephen Kerr
That this House supports the Government's preferred option of a new £100 million annual sales limit for charity lotteries as it will allow such lotteries to reduce bureaucracy and administration costs and thus return more to good causes; notes that a new £100 million annual sales limit is the recommendation from the official regulator The Gambling Commission; welcomes that it has the support of many charities and voluntary sector organisations; further notes that setting the limit at £100 million will future-proof it for the decade ahead; and calls on the Government to implement the new limit as soon as possible.
2263 CATHCART CIRCLE RAILWAY 125TH ANNIVERSARY
Tabled: 3/04/19 Signatories: 6
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
Jim Shannon
Jonathan Edwards
Chris Stephens
Patrick Grady
Alison Thewliss
That this House recognises 2 April marked 125 years since the Cathcart Circle railway line officially opened in 1894; notes the benefit that this transport link will bring to communities in Southside of Glasgow; and looks forward to at least the next 125 years of this much appreciated railway line.
2266 FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY 4 MAY 2019
Tabled: 3/04/19 Signatories: 55
Grahame Morris
Jo Stevens
Mr Dennis Skinner
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Mary Glindon
Mike Amesbury
Liz Saville RobertsGordon MarsdenBob BlackmanMr Jim CunninghamSir Mark HendrickAlison ThewlissDr Julian LewisRichard BurdenHelen HayesSir Jeffrey M. DonaldsonSir Peter Bottomley
That this House joins with firefighters across the United Kingdom on Firefighters Memorial Day in remembering the bravery and sacrifice of over 2,300 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty; extends its sympathies especially on this memorial day to all the bereaved families of fallen firefighters; acknowledges the good work of the Firefighters Memorial Trust in remembering and honouring all firefighters who have lost their lives while serving humanity and recording their names on the Firefighters Memorial, located close to St Paul's Cathedral in London; and applauds the commitment and selfless dedication of all United Kingdom firefighters who stand ready today and every day to risk their lives to save others and protect their local communities from the consequences of fire, floods, terror attacks and numerous other emergency situations.
2267 BOMBING OF THE KITAF HOSPTIAL IN YEMEN
Tabled: 3/04/19 Signatories: 11
Keith Vaz
Jim Shannon
Jonathan Edwards
Chris Stephens
Paul Farrelly
Bob Blackman
Mr Jim CunninghamAlison ThewlissSir Edward DaveyRichard BurdenSir Peter Bottomley
That this House deplores the bombing of the Kitaf hospital in the Saada province of Yemen on 27 March 2019 which resulted in the death of eight people, five of whom were children; notes that the number of civilians killed in airstrikes has now reached over 17,500 since the four-year bombing campaign began, 1,283 of which were children; considers that the only way of improving life for the people in Yemen is an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid; demands that there must not be any further bombings of children or hospitals; and expresses deep concern that as the Yemen conflict enters into its fourth year, children continue to suffer from malnutrition and are not safe in Yemen hospitals.
2268 BRUNEI PENAL CODE
Tabled: 4/04/19 Signatories: 61
Helen Hayes
Patrick Grady
Catherine McKinnell
Rosie Duffield
Alex Sobel
Ged Killen
James FrithMr Clive BettsStuart C. McDonaldWes StreetingBob BlackmanIan MearnsSir Kevin BarronThelma WalkerMr Ronnie CampbellAlbert OwenKate GreenAndy SlaughterMary GlindonStephen KinnockDr David DrewMrs Emma Lewell-BuckJanet DabyTonia AntoniazziRuth GeorgeRuth CadburyJo StevensJess PhillipsAngela RaynerHolly LynchAnna McMorrinRachel ReevesGareth ThomasVernon CoakerMatt WesternMs Harriet HarmanMary CreaghMs Karen BuckSir Mark HendrickAnna TurleyGerald JonesDr Rupa HuqTommy SheppardJohn CryerJohn SpellarWera HobhouseEmma ReynoldsStephen DoughtyCaroline LucasGordon MarsdenRosie CooperTom BrakeMr Virendra SharmaMr Barry SheermanPaul FarrellyAlison ThewlissSir Edward DaveyJonathan EdwardsRichard BurdenSir Peter BottomleyChris Stephens
That this House expresses deep concern at the planned introduction of a new penal code in Brunei; notes the UN Secretary-General’s belief that these new laws are in clear violation of human rights principles; expresses solidarity with LGBT+ Bruneians and grave concern about the impact of this legislation upon the LGBT+ community; condemns the planned introduction of the death penalty for gay sex in Brunei; notes that women and Bruneians from religious minorities are also at significant risk; expresses concern that British forces continue to operate in Brunei; believes that the protection of human rights should be central to UK foreign policy; and calls on the UK government to exert pressure and influence upon Brunei and all Commonwealth nations to protect the rights of LGBT+ people and other minority groups.
2269 SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS SCHEME
Tabled: 4/04/19 Signatories: 2
George Eustice
Sir Peter Bottomley
That this House notes that the UK successfully operated a Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme from 1945 until 2013; regrets the decision of the previous coalition Government to close that Scheme; further notes that many sectors in agriculture and horticulture are reporting acute difficulties recruiting labour for the 2019 harvest with fewer migrant workers returning to the UK; welcomes the decision of the Government to pilot a new Seasonal Workers Scheme but notes the urgent nature of the current labour shortage facing horticulture; and calls on the Government to immediately increase the size of the pilot for 2019 from 2,500 to 10,000 places, and to take immediate steps to convert the pilot into a fully operational Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme for the 2020 year with a minimum quota of 30,000 places for non-EU citizens.
2271 CELEBRATION OF SHOWPARK GATES
Tabled: 4/04/19 Signatories: 2
Dr Lisa Cameron
Sir Peter Bottomley
That this House congratulates Rebecca Scott of the constituency East Kilbride, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow who won a school competition for South Lanarkshire Council to design the new gates for the Showpark in East Kilbride; notes that Rebecca is 15 years old from Duncanrig Secondary in S4; further notes that she is an Explorer scout for the 1st East Kilbride Scout group and loves adventures, arts and painting; acknowledges the wonderful new gates with silver ivy leaves in contrast to the black tree which took a week and a half to weld and longer to paint; further acknowledges Harry Donachy, South Lanarkshire Council's welder for a job well done; and offers Rebecca best wishes for the future.