Contents

Published: Friday 19 March 2021

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 18 March 2021

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

1657Frank McAlister and The Tower Bar Covid Action Group

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 1

Hannah Bardell

That this House recognises the work of Frank McAlister; local resident and landlord of the Tower Bar in Craighall Livingston; notes his continued support to the community, setting up the Tower’s Covid Action Group during the ongoing covid-19 crisis; commends Frank McAlister, Tower Bar staff, regulars and community volunteers for their commitment and passionate work to bring different community groups together, acknowledging the need for the continuing support of vulnerable people in the community; applauds his effort in organising the winter maintenance scheme with litter pick-up sessions and clearing paths across Craigshill; emphasises that local publicans can continue to have a positive impact in the community, despite being closed during the covid-19 outbreak; and further commends the residents of Craigshill for their selfless work, demonstrating how close-knit the Craigshill community is.

1658UK-EU veterinary agreement

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 1

Stephen Farry

That this House recognises that the absence of a UK-EU veterinary agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary rules on movements of animals and food products between Great Britain and the EU and between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is creating major barriers for UK food exporters and also significantly contributes to the volume of checks in relation to the implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol; understands that a veterinary agreement can be negotiated with the EU through and building upon the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement; and calls on the Government to prioritise the negotiation of a bespoke UK-EU veterinary agreement.

1659Duty Free on arrivals stores

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 1

Christine Jardine

That this House welcomes the introduction of duty free on arrivals stores in airports, international rail and ferry terminals in Great Britain to support a safe and sustainable recovery of international travel; recognises that duty free on arrivals provides a sustainable and significant new contribution to revenues with an increase in passenger spend by up to 30 per cent, increases the international competitiveness of airports, will be cost neutral for Government, creates employment opportunities, aids carbon abatement and supports regional development; highlights the critical role retail plays in supporting regional connectivity in the UK with retail sales accounting for as much as 40 per cent of total revenue in some regional airports; notes that duty free on arrival stores does not contravene international principles of taxation; further notes that it has been successfully deployed in over sixty countries, including Australia and all EEA nations; and calls upon the Government to implement duty free on arrival stores as it will make a tangible difference to the UK’s travel sector and consequently to the economy.

1660Colombian peace process

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 1

Tony Lloyd

That this House is concerned by the intensification of violence in rural areas in Colombia, with 76 massacres and a 65 per cent increase in armed conflict in 2020, and against human rights defenders there, with Colombian defenders representing 50 per cent of the global total killed in 2020, which threaten to undermine the peace process; notes that communities on the Pacific coast of Colombia are experiencing a humanitarian and environmental crisis; further notes that Indigenous Peoples in Alto Baudó and other communities in Choco are increasingly caught in crossfire between illegal armed groups who are expanding their territorial control, forcibly recruiting children, perpetrating sexual violence, using antipersonnel mines and creating an atmosphere of terror; is also disturbed by reports of illegal gold mining in the Rio Quito region involving armed groups, which is exacerbating violence and resulting in biodiversity destruction; is alarmed by the death threat received in February by CAJAR lawyer, Sebastian Felipe Escobar, who spoke to UK Parliamentarians at an on-line event in June 2020, as well as by serious threats directed at other human rights defenders in Colombia; and calls on the Government, further to its responsibility as the penholder on Colombia, to request the UN Security Council to create a Group of Experts with technical expertise on organised crime to examine the impact of the illegal armed groups in Colombia and provide technical advice, in order to strengthen the work of the UN Mission of Verification in Colombia.

1661Agriculture

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 6

Keir Starmer

Luke Pollard

Stephanie Peacock

Daniel Zeichner

Ruth Jones

Mr Nicholas Brown

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 (S.I., 2021, No. 158), dated 15 February 2021, a copy of which was laid before this House on 16 February 2021, be annulled.

1662Patrick George Zaki

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 1

Chris Law

That this House is dismayed by the continued imprisonment of Egyptian student and human rights activist Patrick George Zaki; notes with concern that Mr Zaki was detained in early 2020 on a short return to his home country from his course at the University of Bologna and has now been held for over a year pending investigation; further notes that he has been accused of disseminating fake news and inciting to protest through his work and advocacy for the Cairo-based human rights group Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR); is concerned that other staff at the EIPR including Executive Director Gasser Abdel-Razek have also been targeted by the Egyptian Authorities; praises the work of organisations such as Amnesty and Scholars At Risk who have been raising international awareness of Mr Zaki’s case; and calls on the Government to make further representations to the Egyptian Government on Mr Zaki's imprisonment and welfare as a matter of urgency, and to urge the Egyptian Government to immediately and unconditionally release him.

1663Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu – HDP MP Turkey

Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 3

Chris Stephens

Alyn Smith

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

This house is deeply concerned that Turkish HDP MP Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu has been stripped of his parliamentary immunity and sentenced to two years six months in prison on terror charges; notes that Gergerlioglu’s indictment relates to a social media post in 2016 in which he called for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question; notes that Human Rights Watch has released a written statement condemning his conviction; calls on the Foreign Secretary to raise the question of this conviction with his Turkish counterpart; and calls on the Turkish Government for an immediate review and reversal of this conviction.

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.

1600Uprating of state pensions

Tabled: 8/03/21 Signatories: 28

Andrew Rosindell

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

Alison Thewliss

Peter Dowd

That this House regrets that over half a million UK pensioners continue to have their pensions frozen as a result of where they live and notes that 90 per cent of those people live in Commonwealth countries with which the UK has strong cultural and historical ties; is further concerned that this leaves UK citizens without the financial support needed to maintain livelihoods and dignity in retirement and believes all pensioners should be paid the full state pension wherever they live; welcomes the Canadian Government’s request for a reciprocal social security agreement with the UK to cover the uprating of pension payments; and urges the Government to respond positively to this request as a first step to end this injustice for UK pensioners everywhere.

1605Public Health

Tabled: 9/03/21 Signatories: 9

Keir Starmer

Nick Thomas-Symonds

Holly Lynch

Sarah Jones

Conor McGinn

Mr Nicholas Brown

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2021 (S.I., 2021, No. 150), dated 12 February 2021, a copy of which was laid before this House on 12 February 2021, be annulled.

1606Reorganisation of the NHS and social care

Tabled: 9/03/21 Signatories: 17

Margaret Greenwood

Paula Barker

Peter Dowd

Mike Hill

Ian Byrne

Kim Johnson

That this House notes the Government has published a White Paper setting out proposals for a major reorganisation of the delivery of health and social care in England; further notes that the Government plans to divide the NHS into local statutory Integrated Care Systems creating the potential for organisations which are not publicly accountable to take key roles in developing plans to address the health, social care and public health needs of local systems; is concerned that such organisations will then be in a position to influence decisions about the deployment of public resources and that this presents the possibility for conflicts of interest; recognises there is concern that local plans will differ and lead to a postcode lottery; notes that NHS England and NHS Improvement carried out a consultation, Integrating care - Next steps to building strong and effective integrated care systems over Christmas and New Year which proposed fundamental changes to the NHS; is further concerned that the consultation was held over such a short period during the covid-19 outbreak, particularly given that the NHS and social care workers who would be affected had been working incredibly hard under immense stress and many would have been unlikely to engage with that consultation; is concerned it was not possible for people to attend public meetings during this time; and calls on the Government to pause the whole process until all covid-19 restrictions are lifted and then carry out a public consultation setting out clearly what those proposals would mean for patients and staff.

1613North Lanarkshire Nursery Grant

Tabled: 10/03/21 Signatories: 7

Steven Bonnar

Carol Monaghan

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

That this House praises North Lanarkshire on becoming the first council in the UK to introduce a clothing and footwear grant for nursery children; recognises the positive impact this will have in providing extra support to the most vulnerable; and commends the efforts taken in tackling the scourge of child poverty.

1616Mental Health Awareness Week

Tabled: 10/03/21 Signatories: 15

Dr Lisa Cameron

Claudia Webbe

Drew Hendry

Steven Bonnar

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

That this House recognises 10-16 May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Week and congratulates the Mental Health Foundation for its 21st Mental Health Awareness Week, this year focused on nature and the environment; notes with concern the obstacles that have hindered people’s access to nature especially during the pandemic; further notes with concern the 2017 Mental Health Foundation study that found that 65% have experienced a mental health problem recently recognising that this issue has been exacerbated by the pandemic with a study by the Office of National Statistics finding that the number of UK adults with symptoms of depression had doubled; recognises the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week in bringing mental health and wellbeing to the fore and applauds the efforts of all the volunteers and staff working in this sector.

1617World Glaucoma Week

Tabled: 10/03/21 Signatories: 11

Steven Bonnar

Sir Mike Penning

Jonathan Edwards

Dr Lisa Cameron

Carol Monaghan

Neale Hanvey

That this House notes that March 7 to 13 March is World Glaucoma Week, a global initiative which raises awareness of glaucoma; commends the work of Optometry Scotland members in delivering essential community eyecare services in the detection of glaucoma and other eye diseases; and highlights the positive impact that optometry has had on patient care throughout the course of the covid-19 pandemic.

1618Glenboig Development Trust

Tabled: 10/03/21 Signatories: 7

Steven Bonnar

Peter Grant

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

That this House recognises the ongoing hard work and endeavours of Glenboig Development Trust; commends it's work with local school pupils in growing fresh fruit and vegetables; and highlights it's efforts in helping to tackle the serious issue of food poverty.

161921st anniversary of the East Kilbride Youth Disability Sports Club

Tabled: 10/03/21 Signatories: 7

Dr Lisa Cameron

John McDonnell

Peter Grant

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House celebrates the 21st anniversary of the East Kilbride Youth Disability Sports Club, which since its founding in 1999 has helped countless young people, families, and carers get involved in sport through providing a service for those with disabilities that would otherwise not exist; highlights the fact that, since its founding the Club has been entirely volunteer-run and has won over 20 awards from official bodies in recognition of its work to encourage volunteering and participation in disability-inclusive sport, as well as for its enduring contribution to the community in and around East Kilbride; and draws attention to its unique multi-sports model and the tireless efforts of all its volunteers, and its chair Len Richardson in particular, to encourage and widen grassroots participation in sport and recreational activities for those with special needs and disabilities.

1620S Collins & Son Butchers and the Scottish Butchers Shop of the Year award

Tabled: 10/03/21 Signatories: 7

Steven Bonnar

Peter Grant

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

That the House warmly congratulates S Collins & Son Butchers of Muirhead on winning Scottish Butchers Shop of the Year for an unprecedented third time in the last decade; and notes that this achievement is a testament to the innovation, craft skills and quality of this independent family run butchers

1622Clydebank Blitz 80th Anniversary

Tabled: 11/03/21 Signatories: 22

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Amy Callaghan

Ronnie Cowan

Carol Monaghan

Gavin Newlands

Mhairi Black

That this House remembers with respect and sadness the Clydebank Blitz, which commenced on the 13th March 1941, proportionally the worst blitzkrieg inflected on the UK during world War II; recognises the official record of deaths caused by the two nights of bombing and the many more who died as a result of their injuries in the days, weeks and months that followed; salutes the courage of those in the fire, ambulance, military and other public services who acted so bravely including the miners of Scotland who travelled from far and wide to dig for survivors; and acknowledges the work of the citizens of Clydebank who through 80 yearly acts of remembrance have sought to remind the world of the horrors of war, the devastation of aerial bombardment and the need for peace and reconciliation between nations.

1624UK’s annual blossom season

Tabled: 11/03/21 Signatories: 10

Tracey Crouch

Catherine McKinnell

Wera Hobhouse

Sir Mike Penning

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

That this House celebrates Britain’s annual blossom season as one of the most beautiful in the world; recognises blossom's significance as a national symbol of spring, renewal and hope that all communities can enjoy, made all the important in the midst of the nation’s effort to tackle coronavirus; notes the importance of trees and nature for tackling climate change and supporting physical and mental wellbeing; further notes that Hanami, the Japanese blossom season boosted its economy by about $2.7 billion in 2018 and provides annual opportunities for connection with natue and tourism; and therefore welcomes the National Trust’s #BlossomWatch campaign to celebrate and raise awareness of the arrival of spring and blossom nationwide

1625East Renfrewshire Larder initiative

Tabled: 11/03/21 Signatories: 8

Kirsten Oswald

Steven Bonnar

Peter Grant

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

That this House acknowledges the tremendous work done by volunteers and community groups across East Renfrewshire and other areas throughout the pandemic; welcomes in particular the East Renfrewshire Larder (ERL) initiative, founded by Rachel Fishlock and Jennifer Lawrie, who were supported by Ceri Dodd, Rachel's colleague at Scottish Fire and Rescue; notes that ERL provides a confidential delivery service offering breakfast, lunch and dinner packages, as well as household goods and sanitary products, all of which are packed by volunteers operating from premises provided by Whitecraigs Rugby Club, which also provides financial support; endorses sentiments expressed by Rachel, herself a mother of four, when she said that many parents who need help would simply struggle on and go without to feed their kids, and that many people on their own simply have nowhere to turn; welcomes the fact that the ethos of ERL is that if someone is brave enough to ask for help then they need it; and recognises the vital role played by the wider community and the volunteers, without whose generous donations and time commitment the vital work done by ERL and other groups would not be possible.

1626Auditory Verbal UK charity

Tabled: 11/03/21 Signatories: 7

Dr Lisa Cameron

John McDonnell

Peter Grant

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House celebrates the charity, Auditory Verbal UK and the vital work they do to transform the lives of deaf babies and young children across the UK; draws particular attention their highly specialised programme of Auditory Verbal therapy which is proven to be highly effective in delivering spoken language outcomes for young deaf children, with 80 per cent of children who spend two or more years on this programme achieving the same spoken language as typically hearing children; highlights how this success comes through a family centred, early intervention approach which could boost academic achievement and employment outcomes for deaf young people across the UK; and calls on the Government to expand the number of speech and language therapists and teachers of the deaf working in health and education services trained in Auditory Verbal practice with a view to families of deaf children having the opportunity to access such a programme through public funded services, as is the case in other countries worldwide

1627Presidential elections in Ecuador

Tabled: 11/03/21 Signatories: 18

Richard Burgon

Jeremy Corbyn

John McDonnell

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Apsana Begum

Claudia Webbe

That this House notes that Ecuador is set to hold its presidential election run-off on 11 April 2021; further notes that Andrés Arauz, the progressive candidate for the Union for Hope movement comfortably won the first round in February and is favourite to win the run-off against Guillermo Lasso, a bank owner and candidate pursuing a neoliberal agenda; expresses concerns that some people, both inside and outside the country, are intervening in the process in what appears to be an attempt to prevent the elections from going ahead to thwart an Andrés Arauz victory; notes the concerns raised by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges on interference in the election process; condemns recent calls for the military to intervene in the electoral process; and believes the right of the Ecuadorian people to determine their future through free and fair elections on 11 April without any external intervention must be respected.

1629Young Carers Action Day

Tabled: 11/03/21 Signatories: 20

Ed Davey

Sir Mike Penning

Jonathan Edwards

Paul Blomfield

Daisy Cooper

Jamie Stone

That this House supports Young Carers Action Day, led by Carers Trust, which takes place on 16 March 2021; recognises the invaluable contribution more than 800,000 young carers make to their families and local communities across the UK; notes the Day’s theme of Protect Young Carers’ Futures, and the importance of employers and higher education recognising the incredible skills young people develop through being a carer; highlights the challenges young carers face and that the covid-19 outbreak has exacerbated many of these challenges; and calls on the Government to ensure that young carers get the support and services they need.

1630Abigail Pryde’s debut single

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 3

Brendan O'Hara

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House commends Argyll and Bute constituent Abigail Pryde on her debut single, Lady, to be released mid-March; congratulates the young singer on the beginning of her solo-career in music, after touring worldwide with traditional folk band Heron Valley; notes that growing up in Argyll, Abigail learnt the fiddle and guitar at home, later joining the band Heron Valley whilst studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior School; and wishes her success in her career and in the music industry.

1631Fundraising for healthy options

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 5

Brendan O'Hara

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House commends Argyll and Bute constituent Elizabeth Mason for her fundraising efforts for Healthy Options, a charity which supports the health journeys of people who have or are at risk of developing lifelong health conditions; congratulates Elizabeth on a successful recovery after her accident in 2018 and wishes her well on her continued physiotherapy; highlights that despite her injuries, Elizabeth has walked an average of 18,000 steps daily to raise funds for Healthy Options, reaching a total of 496,145 in February, raising £1000 for the charity; and encourages anyone who can do so to donate to Elizabeth’s local giving fundraising page.

1632Retirement of Achahoish postmistress after 58 years of service

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 6

Brendan O'Hara

Peter Grant

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House recognises the career of Winifred Ryan, who ran the Achahoish Post Office from her home for almost 58 years; notes that on March 1st Winifred turned eighty-one and decided to retire as postmistress after 58 years in the role; thanks Winifred for her dedication to the postal service and to her local community; and wishes Winifred a restful and well-earned retirement after years of loyal service.

1633Campbeltown police officers and International Women’s Day honours

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 6

Brendan O'Hara

Steven Bonnar

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates police officers in Campbeltown for receiving awards on International Women’s Day, in recognition of their work keeping the local community safe; highlights Detective Constable Lindsay Wallace, who won police officer of the year and Police Constable Karen Cairns, who won the community service award at the Scottish Women’s Development Forum on 8 March 2021; notes that the awards, held virtually due to the covid-19 outbreak, honour the contributions and achievements of police staff, officers and those who volunteer with Police Scotland; and recognises the hard work and dedication of Lindsay and Karen, alongside all women who work within Police Scotland.

1634Death of Colin Reed, Station Master at Markinch Railway Station

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 7

Peter Grant

Neale Hanvey

Steven Bonnar

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

That this House records its sadness at the sudden death of Colin Reed, well-kent face of Markinch Railway Station; expresses its appreciation of the wonderful customer service Colin provided to residents and visitors to Markinch during his many years served there as station master; highlights the way in which he went about his role with kindness and offering a friendly word for anyone who needed it including giving his personal telephone number to those who needed assistance and calling the elderly or those living in isolation for a friendly chat during the pandemic; notes the many tributes that have poured in for Colin over recent days from the hundreds of local people and those further afield who will remember him fondly and appreciated his daily efforts to put smiles on the faces of those travelling to and from Markinch; sends its condolences to his surviving family including his wife Effie of 33 years, and children Michael, Alex, Tracey, Karen and Claire at this exceptionally difficult time; and remembers with affection the exceptional way that Colin carried out his role by going over and above for everyone he came across, and always with a smile on his face.

1635Public Social Partnership for the Disability Employment Gap

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 10

Marion Fellows

Kirsten Oswald

Steven Bonnar

Peter Grant

Neale Hanvey

Kirsty Blackman

That this House commends the work of the Public Social Partnership for the Disability Employment Gap led by the Scottish Union of Supported Employment as lead partner; recognises it aims to increase employers’ confidence, awareness and capacity to recruit and retain disabled people in their workforce; notes the innovative ways of working the partnership is undertaking to achieve these aims; endorses the importance of employing disabled people in the workforce and reducing the unacceptable employment gap; and notes that they will contribute to the Scottish Government’s Fairer Scotland for Disabled People – Employment Action Plan’s ambition to halve the Disability Employment Gap by 2038.

1636Sarah Everard and women's safety

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 20

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Ms Diane Abbott

Florence Eshalomi

Helen Hayes

Ms Harriet Harman

Christine Jardine

That this House expresses deep concern for the disappearance of Sarah Everard, a young woman who went missing in Clapham as she was walking home on the 3rd March; extends thoughts and prayers to Sarah’s family and friends at this difficult time; notes with great sadness that women’s safety remains a serious issue; and believes that in 2021, women should not have to fear that harm may come to them if they are walking by themselves; is appalled by the results of a recent YouGov poll which found that 97 per cent of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed and 80 per cent of women of all ages have experienced sexual harassment in a public space; stands in solidarity with all women who have survived harassment, assault and violence; believes that more resources should be dedicated to violence against women and girls; is disgusted by the victim shaming heard since Sarah Everard’s disappearance; and strongly refutes any suggestions that the onus should fall on women to change their behaviour to prevent becoming victims of an attack.

1637Local Government funding (No. 2)

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 10

Jon Trickett

John McDonnell

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards

Rachel Hopkins [R]

Navendu Mishra

That this House notes with concern research by the National Audit Office which states that 25 Local Councils are on the brink of bankruptcy; notes with further concern research from the NAO which found that 94 per cent of English councils expect to cut spending next year to meet budget requirements; notes that a decade of austerity has reduced the spending power of councils by a third, leaving local government ill-prepared to cope during a health pandemic which has seen demand for local services rise; expresses disappointment that no announcement was forthcoming in the Budget regarding councils' public health grant, nor to address the need for a further £2.6 billion in funding the Local Government Association have estimated will be required to cover cost pressures faced by Councils due to Covid-19; believes local authorities have a vital role to play in rebuilding community resilience as part of a post Covid-19 recovery; and therefore calls on the Government provide the necessary funding to ensure Local Councils are able to meet all extra cost pressures and income losses and rebuild their communities without making further cuts to services.

1638Rail fares

Tabled: 12/03/21 Signatories: 10

Jon Trickett

John McDonnell

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards

Rachel Hopkins

Navendu Mishra

That this House notes the recent rise in rail fares in England and Wales of 2.6 per cent; notes with concern that this rise means rail fares have risen above RPI inflation for the first time since 2013; condemns increasing the price of train travel at a time when millions of people are suffering financially; notes that since 2010 the price of a regional season ticket has risen by 38 per cent; believes that a better way to encourage passengers back to using the railway post lockdown would be by reducing prices rather than raising them; and calls on the Government to freeze the price of rail fares whilst offering discounts to entice customers back onto trains.

1641Covid-19 deaths in Fife

Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 5

Douglas Chapman

Jim Shannon

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House acknowledges the first deaths officially linked to covid-19 in Fife occurred a year ago in the week of 14 March 2020; recognises hundreds of other Fife residents have tragically lost their life due to covid-19 in the year since; and pays tribute to all those who have passed, all those who are mourning a friend or a loved one and the teams of people across NHS Fife and other public services who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve our citizens.

1642Carr's Flour in Kirkcaldy

Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 4

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Carr’s Flour in Kirkcaldy for their recent success at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards where they were crowned Ingredients Manufacturing Company of the Year; recognises the Kirkcaldy mill’s long history of flour production dating back to 1826; and commends Carr’s staff who, when the covid-19 pandemic hit and demand for retail flour exploded, worked to dramatically increase production while maintaining social distancing and additional hygiene requirements.

1643Bravery of PC Callum Forbes

Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 7

Neale Hanvey

Sir Mike Penning

Steven Bonnar

Jim Shannon

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

That this House recognises the bravery shown by Cowdenbeath police officer, PC Callum Forbes, during a violent confrontation where a victim had been attacked last year; and congratulates PC Forbes on being honoured at the prestigious Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards for 2020 which were held virtually on 2 March 2021.

1644Nicole Wallace, Apprentice Ambassador of the Year finalist

Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 6

Neale Hanvey

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Nicole Wallace from Lochgelly on being named as a finalist in the Apprentice Ambassador of the Year category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards; recognises that Nicole used her own training as a modern apprentice to help her employer adapt to the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic and was involved in a project to develop learning materials for new apprentices to be able to join the business virtually; applauds Nicole for this well-deserved recognition; and wishes her every success in her future career.

1647Reduction of free plastic toys

Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 10

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Jonathan Edwards

Kirsty Blackman

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the efforts of ten-year-old Skye Neville from Fairbourne, Gwynedd for her campaign encouraging magazine and comic publishers to stop giving away plastic toys with their publications; further recognises that nearly three thousand people have so far signed her online petition drawing attention to the devastating impact discarded plastic is having on our oceans and natural environment; applauds Skye for her passionate advocacy of environmental issues, her involvement in local litter picks and her family’s commitment to recycling; welcomes steps by fast food giant McDonalds to stop putting plastic toys in their Happy Meals; and calls on the Government to encourage publishers to make their magazines more environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint.

1649Celebrating the work of Townhead Village Hall during the covid-19 outbreak

Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 5

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House celebrates the fantastic work and dedication of the team at Townhead Village Hall in going above and beyond to support their local community during the covid-19 outbreak; appreciates that they have been vital in providing residents with free weekly food deliveries, including making deliveries on Christmas and New Years Day; recognises the success of their collaboration with Glasgow City Centre Salvation Army to deliver ready meals to the most vulnerable; further recognises the successful partnership with Human Appeal which saw them redistribute warm coats and jackets as part of the Warm-Up Glasgow campaign; and thanks the whole team for keeping spirits up with their home visits, food deliveries and online competitions, and for being a source of comfort and camaraderie during these difficult times.

1652Impact of allowing gene-editing and divergence from EU food standards

Tabled: 16/03/21 Signatories: 21

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Claudia Webbe

Jim Shannon

Navendu Mishra

Paula Barker

That this House has grave concerns over the Government’s proposal to authorise in England the use of gene-editing technologies in agriculture and food and drink manufacturing; notes that, since Brexit, any substantial regulatory divergence between the UK and EU poses a major threat to UK exports into European markets, and also for the export of goods from mainland UK ports into Northern Ireland; shares the concern of Unite the Union that such divergence from the approach of EU regulation over gene-editing would have yet more catastrophic impacts including the loss of thousands of jobs and undermining of the Northern Ireland protocol; observes that agriculture is a devolved issue within the UK context, but that, in the event of gene-editing being allowed in England, Scottish and Welsh products without gene-edited ingredients could still be denied access to EU markets; fears the impact that the aggressive commercial exploitation of gene-editing technologies would have on poor farmers in the global south, and on distracting Western governments from addressing the structural causes of climate change; and therefore believes that the Government’s approach to this issue must continue to be subject to the precautionary principle, must not be made in the absence of a robust scientific evidence-base on the long-term impacts of such technologies, must not allow multinational corporations to exert undue influence via proprietary rights, and must not pre-empt decision-making by the devolved nations or the UK's European partners.

1653Celebrating fifty years of the Campaign for Real Ale

Tabled: 16/03/21 Signatories: 6

Daisy Cooper

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Mike Penning

Steven Bonnar

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), headquartered in St Albans, on their 50th anniversary; commends the organisation and its members for their tireless campaigning in support of the unique heritage of real ale, cider and perry found in the British Isles; further congratulates them for their successes over the last half century in protecting our brewing traditions and striving for greater quality and variety of cask ales; recognises their role in lobbying producers and government on behalf of consumers; celebrates their longstanding campaign to protect and enhance pubs and clubs; commends their ongoing work to provide information, education and training to all those with an interest in pubs, beer, cider and perry; extends thanks for CAMRA’s advocacy on behalf of the pub and brewing sectors, especially during the Covid-19 crisis that continues to endanger our unique pub and brewing heritage; and wishes them every success for the next fifty years.

1654Neurodiversity celebration week

Tabled: 16/03/21 Signatories: 6

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Rachel Hopkins

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House recognizes Neurodiversity Celebration week which commences on March 15th; understands 720,000 children celebrate Neurodiversity week worldwide; acknowledges that at least 15% of children in the U.K have a learning difference; notes that a lot of neurodiverse children have negative school experiences; further recognizes it’s important to change the narrative surrounding developmental difficulties, including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia; understands that neurodiversity is a strength and applauds the creativity and innovation of our neurodiverse children; celebrates the work of the founder and campaigner Siena Castellon of neurodiversity celebration week who recently won the Commonwealth Youth Award; and further notes the importance of championing neurodiversity and challenging stigma associated with developmental difficulty.

1655Sandra Stewart, 40 years' commitment to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Tabled: 17/03/21 Signatories: 4

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Sandra Stewart on her 40 year anniversary as a member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; understands that the Admin Team Leader joined the Strathclyde Fire Brigade immediately upon leaving school, and now provides admin support to more than forty fire stations across Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway from the area HQ in Ardrossan, North Ayrshire; and thanks her for the dedication and commitment she has shown to the communities she has served throughout her years in her vital work, and hugely appreciates her ongoing service.

1656Undercover Policing Inquiry

Tabled: 17/03/21 Signatories: 8

Richard Burgon

Ms Diane Abbott

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

Caroline Lucas

Claudia Webbe

That this House notes the ongoing independent public Undercover Policing Inquiry, set up to investigate undercover policing in England and Wales since 1968; recognises the concerns raised by Non State Non Police Core Participants (NSNPCPs) and interested campaign groups (including the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance and Police Spies Out of Lives) that the inquiry is not currently properly accessible to Core Participants or to the public; supports the principle of open justice including that public inquiries should be open and accessible to the public; believes that all Core Participants should be able to fully access and participate in the Inquiry; is concerned that the decision not to have audio and visual live streaming of the inquiry prevents full engagement from participants and prevents public and press access to proceedings; and Supports the calls from the NSNPCPs for full audio and visual live streaming, for the Inquiry to sit with a diverse panel of experts alongside the Chair throughout, for the names of groups subjected to undercover police surveillance to be disclosed publicly alongside the ‘cover’ names of undercover officers to allow those who were subjected to undercover police surveillance to assist the inquiry, for NSNPCPs to receive disclosure of their registry files in full and as a matter of urgency, for the terms of reference to be extended to include Scotland and Northern Ireland, and for trade unions, alongside all participating NSNPCPs to be given funding for legal costs so they are able to fully participate in the inquiry.