SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM TYNE AND WEAR ASBESTOS SUPPORT GROUP

7th December 2006

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of the Tyne and Wear Asbestos Support Group,

Declares that Alimta is a new life-extending drug for Mesothelioma sufferers. The drug proved its success in clinical trials carried out at Newcastle University. The Northern Cancer Network has refused to provide Alimta to NHS hospitals in the north of England on cost grounds.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Health to instruct all PCTs to provide Alimta free at point of clinical need.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF LONDON AND SURROUNDING AREAS

11th December 2006

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of the residents of London and surrounding areas,

Declares that we call upon London Buses to Ban the use of mobile phones and mp3 players playing music loud on buses, and as a matter of urgency to do more to deter passengers from playing music out loud whilst onboard buses and we believe that current advertising/notices on buses are not sufficient and the scale of the problem and its impact on the quality of life of passengers in London are underestimated and we would like to see more done by London Buses to support passengers' rights and we warmly congratulate The London Assembly and Transport for London on their initial responses to this issue and note that this petition is in tandem with an electronic Petition of over 4,500 signatures.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons call upon the Government to seek to obtain a firm policy to tackle this problem from Transport for London and London Buses.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM JOHN POTTER AND OTHER CITIZENS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

12th December 2006

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of John Potter and other citizens of the United Kingdom,

Declares that patients about to enter hospital are concerned and fearful that they may contract MRSA because many hospitals are dirty and unhygienic. The Petitioners further declare that hospital cleaners need to be managed by matrons.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons strongly urge the Secretary of State for Health to do all in his power to reduce citizens' likelihood of contracting MRSA by giving each hospital responsibility to employ its own cleaning staff and ensure that matrons oversee and manage hospital cleaners, thereby ensuring that every citizen has access to clean, hygienic hospitals.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM PEOPLE OF CHALFONT ST PETER AND OTHERS

13th December 2006

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of the people of Chalfont St Peter and others,

Declares that more than 1200 Petitioners would like to register their concerns at the changes proposed by the Primary Care Trust to the number of beds available at Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross Hospital.

The Petitioners therefore request the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure the number of beds should not be reduced.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF AYRSHIRE AND OTHERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE LOST OUT DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF FAREPAK

13th December 2006

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of residents of Ayrshire and others, including those who have lost out due to the closure of Farepak, the hamper trading company,

Declares that the Petitioners condemn the actions of the Christmas savings club known as "Farepak", that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of families on low and moderate incomes having their savings effectively stolen from them.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to initiate a plan to recompense, before Christmas 2006, those, who through no fault of their own, have lost monies put aside to enjoy a stress-free Christmas.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF THE BOROUGH OF COPELAND AND OTHERS

13th December 2006

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of the residents of the Borough of Copeland and others throughout West Cumbria,

Declares their strong opposition to the threatened changes to maternity services in West Cumbria which would lead to the majority of women having to travel to Carlisle for maternity care.

The Petitioners further declare that the provision of consultant led obstetric and gynaecological services at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven is an absolute necessity for both the current West Cumberland Hospital and its suggested replacement; that there is no clinical evidence to support a move away from a consultant led maternity unit to a midwife led maternity unit; and that the policy of Government is to provide women with birth choices.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons now urge the Northwest Strategic Health Authority, the Cumbria Primary Care Trust, the North Cumbria Acute Hospitals Trust and the Department of Health to ensure that the forthcoming public consultation on maternity services provision in West Cumbria includes the retention and improvement of those maternity services currently provided at the West Cumberland hospital and its suggested replacement.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [28th November] from residents of the Borough of Wellingborough and others for making it compulsory for children to wear cycle helmets while cycling.

The Government believes that it is sensible for cyclists, especially children, to protect themselves by wearing a cycle helmet. A recent review commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT) concluded that, overall there is evidence that bicycle helmets can be effective at reducing the incidence and severity of head, brain and upper facial injuries; they can be effective in reducing injury for users of all ages, particularly for children. However, the report also concluded that, there is evidence that compulsory helmet wearing may discourage some people from cycling, leading to decreased bicycle use.

Our regular surveys of helmet wearing rates shows that, cycle helmets were worn by 28% of all cyclists on major roads in built up areas in 2004. This compares to 16% in 1994. The corresponding figures for child cyclists are 14% in 2004 compared to 18% in 1994. Whilst compulsion remains an option that we will review from time to time, it has been our view that at current helmet wearing rates, making helmets compulsory would cause enforcement difficulties and, without greater public acceptance, could have an adverse effect on the levels of cycling. The 2006 helmet wearing survey is currently underway and will report next year.

However, the Government believes it would be irresponsible not to promote a product that can reduce injuries and we continue to promote helmet wearing on a voluntary basis, especially by children.

We concentrate our cycle safety publicity on teenagers and younger children, as these are the most vulnerable groups. Our 'Cycle Sense' campaign encourages teenagers to wear cycle helmets and provides advice on technique; cycle maintenance and visibility are also addressed. The campaign consists of a series of posters, a website and a supporting TV Filler film.

Earlier this year, the DfT also ran a new cycle safety campaign aimed at teenagers with Emap magazines and TV channels, featuring a website and a comic to support it. 'Cycle Smart', which includes a comic, website and posters, is aimed at younger children and uses Disney characters to communicate simple cycle safety messages.

11th December 2006