Contents

Published: Thursday 13 January 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 12 January 2022

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

841Russian Military Studies Centre

Tabled: 12/01/22 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House commends the work of the Russian Military Studies Centre (RMSC) at the Defence Academy of the UK (DefAc UK), particularly during time of heightened tension with the Russian Federation; notes that it contains one of the most extensive catalogues of papers, journals, books and other resources regarding military and security policy not only of the Russian Federation and the USSR, but of other former Soviet Republics, with publications predominantly in Russian and English, but also in the languages of Eastern Europe and Central Asia; further notes that the RMSC’s holding has been built up over 70 years, originating in the Soviet Studies Research Centre (SSRC) based at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; notes that following the end of the Cold War the SSRC became the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), and moved to DefAc UK in 2004; regretfully notes that the CSRC collection was almost disbanded before passing over to the care of the Barrington Library which augmented that collection with materials from the School of Languages at the Ministry of Defence; is disappointed that despite this outstanding pedigree and proven research record supporting the UK’s Armed Forces and others, that the future of the RMSC remains unclear; and is concerned to note that staff previously employed at the archive have not had their contracts renewed since September 2021, while the Ministry of Defence undertakes a study on the future of the RMSC.

842Israel

Tabled: 12/01/22 Signatories: 1

Paul Girvan

That this House notes that in a poll from the Palestine News Network, 93 per cent of the people in Jerusalem who are ethnically Arab prefer Israeli rule; and calls on the Government to use this statistic and the simple principle of self-determination whenever hard left Governments call for East Jerusalem to be part of an Arab state and to give strong opposition to such a proposal.

843Air defence systems

Tabled: 12/01/22 Signatories: 1

Paul Girvan

That this House notes the success of the Israeli Iron Dome System; further notes that the US, Russia, China, India, France, and Taiwan have also developed such air defence systems for medium and long range missiles; and calls on the Government to develop a missile defence system as a priority to defend the whole UK if needed.

844UK Pool and Spa Award for Higginson family business

Tabled: 12/01/22 Signatories: 1

Kenny MacAskill

That this House congratulates Lee Higginson of Advanced Hot Tubs and Swim Spas on being crowned Spa Technician of the Year at the UK Pool and Spa Awards in December 2021; understands that Lee is part of a family business with his brother Kevin, sister-in-law Trisha, and nephew Lewis; notes that winners across 30 categories were announced at the awards ceremony and each category is judged by specialists in each field before being scrutinised by and independent jury that has the task of confirming the final competition positions; and wishes Lee, and the company, the best of luck with this future.

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.

817Fuel prices for motorists

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 10

Carla Lockhart

Wera Hobhouse

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jonathan Edwards

Gavin Robinson

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

That this House recognises the challenging impact of high fuel costs on households and business across the UK; notes the comments of the RAC and their belief that petrol retailers are ripping off motorists by refusing to pass on wholesale price cuts; expresses concern at the RAC's findings that this has resulted in motorists being overcharged by £5 million a day in December as retailers made an average of 16 pence a litre on petrol instead of the normal 6 pence; and calls on the Government to explore the creation of an independent pricing watchdog to protect motorists from overcharging at the pump.

819The work of the PEEK Project

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 6

Alison Thewliss

John Nicolson

Allan Dorans

Amy Callaghan

David Linden

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the fantastic work of the Possibilities for Each and Every Kid project in providing opportunities for children, young people and families across Glasgow to play, create and thrive; congratulates PEEK Chief Executive Michaela Collins on being awarded an MBE for services to the community in Glasgow during covid-19 in the New Year Honours; recalls that Michaela progressed through PEEK as a young person, as a volunteer and staff member; notes the huge success of this year’s Winter Warmer and Christmas Gift Appeal which has already raised over £15,000 and is providing cosy winter jackets, wellies and Christmas gifts to those needing some extra help and cheer over the winter period; congratulates the team on receiving the Teams Award at the Glasgow Times’ Community Champions Awards which rightfully recognised their enormous efforts to support more than 3,500 children and young people throughout the covid-19 pandemic and deliver an incredible 350,000 meals through the PEEK-A-CHEW project; thanks everyone at PEEK for their continued kindness, commitment and generosity and for the hope and opportunities they have provided to so many people over the last 25 years; and looks forward to the many new ventures and successes still to come.

820125 years of Glasgow subway

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 6

Alison Thewliss

Richard Thomson

John Nicolson

Allan Dorans

Amy Callaghan

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Glasgow Subway on its 125th birthday; recognises the contribution the Clockwork Orange has made to the character of our city and its importance in keeping Glasgow connected; notes the huge efforts made to ensure the Subway has adapted throughout its lifetime and looks forward to the benefits the Subway Modernisation will bring; thanks all of the fantastic staff for their continued work and dedication to keep the carriages rolling and travellers safe throughout the pandemic despite the enormous challenges and risks posed by covid-19; and wishes our shoogly but dependable Subway all the best for the next 125 years.

82150th birthday of the Strathbungo Society

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 4

Alison Thewliss

John Nicolson

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House wishes the Strathbungo Society a very happy 50th birthday; notes the Society was established in 1971 by a small group of residents seeking to save the neighbourhood from destruction as part of plans to build a motorway; recognises that the Society has grown and expanded over the years and that it has been instrumental in making Strathbungo a vibrant and desirable place to live and work; appreciates the Society’s aims in developing a strong, close-knit and diverse community and promoting the conversation of local architecture and environmental heritage; thanks the generations of volunteers who have dedicated their time, love and effort to the evolution of the Society and without whom it could not survive; and looks forward to the continued joy, support and successes the Society will bring to future generations of Strathbungo residents for the next 50 years and beyond.

822Post Office Horizon compensation scheme

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 55

Kate Osborne

Paula Barker

Wera Hobhouse

Kim Johnson

Allan Dorans

Alan Brown

That this House believes that the 555 litigants, who won civil proceedings against Post Office Ltd in 2018-19, should not be excluded from the Post Office Horizon compensation scheme; that the exclusion of these litigants from the compensation scheme is having and will continue to have a direct and devastating impact on these individuals and their families, especially as they exposed the scandal against all odds and have been left with the legal bill for doing so; resolves that all those affected by this scandal, including the 555 litigants, must receive compensation that is commensurate with the suffering they have faced; and strongly urges the Government to put in place an external compensation scheme that is outside the scope of the Post Office and provide this group with the redress they not only deserve but are entitled to.

824Work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 18

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Kim Johnson

Dan Carden

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Mohammad Yasin

That this House commends the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on their tireless work as well as their record year of donations and increased membership; celebrates the institution which is on its way to breaking its fundraising record since it was founded in 1824; notes the work of the 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland; recognises the heroic work of the RNLI staff and volunteers who risk their own lives to save others; praises the work they do in local communities as well as across their work in the nations of the United Kingdom; and further recognises in particular the work they have done to rescue those who have got into difficulty at sea while seeking asylum and making the perilous journey across the English Channel.

825Energy prices

Tabled: 6/01/22 Signatories: 28

Mick Whitley

Kim Johnson

Kate Osborne

Paula Barker

John McDonnell

Kate Hollern

That this House reaffirms its belief in the fundamental right to a warm home; recognises that millions of households are grappling with soaring energy prices; acknowledges the recent findings of the trade association Energy UK that prices could rise by between 45 to 50 per cent. by spring 2022; notes with concern National Energy Action’s warning that a further two million households could, as a result, slip into fuel poverty, bringing the total number of people living in fuel poverty to the highest levels since records began; recognises that rising energy prices are contributing to a spiralling cost of living crisis; believes that Government interventions to date have failed to address the scale of this challenge or give essential protections to those most at risk; calls for urgent action to address this crisis in the short-term, including removing the 5 per cent. VAT rate on energy bills and greater financial assistance for low-income households; is convinced of the necessity of wholescale reform of the energy sector; believes that in the long-term public ownership has an essential role to play in building a fairer, greener sector as well as in reducing foreign energy dependence; further notes that the nationalisation of the energy system commands broad public support; and calls upon the Government to bring the energy sector into public hands.

826World Champion skater Elise Christie's retirement from short track speed skating

Tabled: 10/01/22 Signatories: 5

Hannah Bardell

Jonathan Edwards

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House sends its best wishes to three-time Scottish and British Olympic short track speed World Champion skater Elise Christie, following her decision to retire from short track speed skating; notes that Elise was born in Livingston and attended St Margaret’s High School and later went on to study at Loughborough College, was originally a figure skater but made the transition to speed skating at the age of 15, achieving 12 world championship medals over her distinguished career; further notes that Elise is a 10-time European gold medallist, achieving two overall European titles in 2015 and 2016 respectively, winning over 70 World Cup/ European and World Championship medals in total, representing her country in no less than three Winter Olympics, finishing in fourth place at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang; notes the unwavering support of her coach, mentor and friend Nicky Gooch; recognises her courageous decision to speak openly about her mental health struggles; further notes with pride her untiring commitment to her sport despite many hardships throughout her career in which she has inspired countless children to never give up on their dreams; congratulates her and co-author Mark Eglington on the compelling personal autobiography titled Resilience that charters Elise’s journey to becoming a champion; and sends her very best wishes in her role as a coach ahead of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and for her future.

827Clare Mitchell, owner of Revive Salon, Cardenden

Tabled: 10/01/22 Signatories: 5

Peter Grant

Douglas Chapman

Allan Dorans

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

That this House commends the work of owner, Clare Mitchell, at Revive Salon in Cardenden for looking after those facing homelessness in the local area by offering free haircuts, hot drinks and a listening ear throughout December; congratulates her on the success of her thoughtful and kind gesture during an already busy period for the salon; thanks her on behalf of those who benefitted from her opening her business in this way as it will no doubt have had a significant impact to their wellbeing; highlights the importance of acts of kindness in pulling local communities together; and wishes her all the best for the continued success of her business.

828Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s centenary

Tabled: 10/01/22 Signatories: 5

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Urdd Gobaith Cymru, a National Voluntary Youth Organisation, on reaching its centenary this year; notes that the Urdd was established by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards in 1922 with the aim of protecting and promoting the Welsh language; further notes that the Urdd is now Wales’ largest organisation for children and young people with more than 55,000 members; celebrates that over the course of the century, the Urdd has brought the Welsh language alive and provided access to important experiences for millions of children and young people through the Urdd Eisteddfod, sports, its residential centres and community and charitable work; further celebrates their commitment to supporting children and young people from low-income households by offering this year’s membership at a reduced rate; recognises the impact that the pandemic has had on the organisation and believes that supporting the Urdd to rebuild will be instrumental in achieving the Welsh Government’s target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050; looks forward to the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire this May and the opening of the first environmental camp of its kind in Wales at the Pentre Ifan site later this year; and wishes the Urdd well with their virtual birthday party and their attempt on two Guinness World Record titles by singing and uploading videos of the iconic song, Hei Mistar Urdd, onto Twitter and Facebook.

829Covid mitigation in schools

Tabled: 10/01/22 Signatories: 6

Layla Moran

Ms Diane Abbott

Wera Hobhouse

Sarah Olney

Claudia Webbe

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that schools never shut and should never have to; expresses alarm that internationally and scientifically recognised, multi-layered mitigations advised by the WHO were not in place before in-person education resumed in September 2020, March 2021, September 2021 and January 2022 to prevent unnecessarily exposing students, staff and their families to increased risk of infection from airborne, covid-19 causing pathogens; recognises the importance of face-to-face learning in children’s psychosocial development but stresses that this cannot be at the cost of their safety; notes with concern the failure to issue guidance that was firmly grounded in health and safety legislation and scientifically recognised infection control protocols, instead focusing on maximising attendance, which has contributed to over 100 children dying and thousands suffering from long covid; calls on the Government to stop pursuing the prosecutions of parents who wish to prevent their children from catching and spreading covid-19; and praises the work of SafeEdForAll, for tirelessly helping hundreds of thousands of families across the UK, who are deeply concerned with the current safety of schools.

831Care Quality Commission ambulance review

Tabled: 10/01/22 Signatories: 5

Daisy Cooper

Helen Morgan

Layla Moran

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with concern the pressures facing ambulance services and that longer waiting times are risking patient safety; further notes that all ambulance services in England have been at REAP Level 4, the highest level, for many months, meaning that ambulance services are under extreme pressure and are worried about their ability to maintain a safe and timely service; highlights public statements from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives warning of the intolerable pressures facing services across the country; recognises the heroic efforts of paramedics and all emergency medical staff that are providing care as best they can under these extreme circumstances; further recognises the increased pressures on all staff as a result of the covid-19 pandemic; believes that the public has a right to know what systemic problems underpin the pressures on ambulance services and what can be done to fix them; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to use his powers laid out in section 48 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to commission the Care Quality Commission to conduct a review of ambulance services in England without further delay.

832David Marshall, Vice-Chair, East Fife Football Club

Tabled: 10/01/22 Signatories: 7

Peter Grant

Ms Anum Qaisar

Alison Thewliss

Douglas Chapman

Allan Dorans

Margaret Ferrier

That this House records its sadness at the recent passing of Dave Marshall, Vice-chair of East Fife Football Club; notes that Dave, a retired Royal Navy officer and a lifelong supporter of The Fife, joined the board in 2003 and served almost continuously until his death; commends his dedication in also working for almost 10 years on the ground staff at Bayview Stadium before taking on a similar role at King George V Park in Leven where the playing surface was recognised as one of the best in junior and amateur football; recognises his commitment to the development of women's football in Levenmouth by serving as vice-chair of the Trustees of East Fife Girls and Women’s Football Club at King George V Park in Leven; further notes his dedication to his local community through such positions as a trustee of Fifers For The Community, Secretary of East Fife Supporters' Club and as East Fife Football Club’s ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign; and sends its condolences to his family, friends and everyone at East Fife at this sad time.

834Carlibar Park Wee Wood

Tabled: 11/01/22 Signatories: 2

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the pupils of Carlibar Primary School in Barrhead who are playing their part in tackling climate change by planting hundreds of trees; notes that the school’s primary seven group planted saplings of native species, including oak and aspen, at Barrhead’s Carlibar Park as part of the Wee Wood project being run in partnership by the Scottish Contemporary Art Network and East Renfrewshire Council; further notes that the Carlibar Park Wee Wood will be one of 26 woodlands established across East Renfrewshire as part of a legacy project linked to the COP26 climate change conference held in Glasgow last year; welcomes the fact that artist and Scottish Contemporary Art Network member, Robyn Woolston, who worked with the pupils on the tree planting will work with Carlibar Primary on further art activities to help reduce carbon impact, support ecological diversity and introduce young people to the role of art in unlocking climate action.

835Human rights in Bahrain

Tabled: 11/01/22 Signatories: 11

Margaret Ferrier

Sir Peter Bottomley

Tony Lloyd

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

Kenny MacAskill

That this House is concerned by continuing serious human rights violations in Bahrain, including the ongoing arbitrary detention and inhumane treatment of prisoners of conscience, including Abduljalil al-Singace, Hassan Mushaima, Abdulwahab Hussain, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Sheikh Ali Salman; notes that Freedom House in its 2021 report rated Bahrain as not free and that Bahrain is ranked 150 out of 167 countries in The Economist’s 2020 Global Democracy Index and 168 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index 2021; urges the Bahraini Government to release all prisoners of conscience, enable civil society representatives and human rights defenders to operate freely, permit genuine political opposition and independent media, and end the use of the death penalty; further urges the Bahraini Government to initiate a substantive and inclusive in-country dialogue on political and constitutional reform and to cooperate with human rights organisations and experts, including from the UN, to allow for, inter alia, an independent assessment of prison conditions and its reform agenda; and calls on the Government to review its funding to and other agreements with Bahrain and to meet human rights defenders and organisations, civil society representatives and non-violent opposition from Bahrain, as well as to take action to hold Bahraini officials responsible for serious human rights violations to account.

836Detention of Professor Faizulla Jalal

Tabled: 11/01/22 Signatories: 2

Patrick Grady

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with concern reports that Professor Faizullah Jalal of Kabul University, Afghanistan, has been arrested by the Taliban following an appearance on a news channel in which he criticised the regime’s response to the humanitarian situation in the country; notes that many human rights organisations have expressed concern at that arrest, and that Amnesty International has described it as the latest effort by the Taliban to stifle dissent and further evidence of Taliban intimidation, harassment and violent attacks on individuals who criticise them, and that the organisation has found human rights defenders, women activists, journalists and members of academia have the greatest number of reprisals; and calls on the UK Government to condemn the behaviour of the Taliban, join efforts to press for the release of Professor Jalal, and to rapidly scale up its effort to provide asylum and resettlement support to Afghan nationals who wish to escape the Taliban regime and make their home in the UK.

837Warm Home Discount Scheme

Tabled: 11/01/22 Signatories: 2

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that the Government began in 2021 to consult on the idea of extending the Warm Home Discount scheme to a broader group of households on low incomes and with high heating costs; further notes that, under this idea, those households would receive the rebates automatically, rather than having to apply; notes that the idea has not yet been enacted and was instead earmarked for a later date; and calls on the Government to bring forward the introduction of that reform with immediate effect to help households on low incomes with the rising cost of living.

838Funding for nutrition-related aid programmes

Tabled: 11/01/22 Signatories: 2

Patrick Grady

Jim Shannon

That this House calls on the Government to urgently reconsider its decision not to pledge any new funding at the December 2021 Nutrition for Growth Summit hosted by Tokyo; notes that the Government did not set targets for its impact in this area at the summit; is concerned that the UK was previously considered a leader in combatting malnutrition but has since reduced nutrition-specific international aid by 70 per cent which is disporportionate to reductions elsewhere and has undermined the UK's international reputation in addition to putting millions of lives at risk; notes that malnutrition is still linked to 45 per cent of deaths among under fives worldwide; and calls on the Government to urgently commit to investing £120 million per year over the next five years in nutrition-specific programming and to renew its commitment to reach at least 50 million people with nutrition-specific programming by 2025 as campaigned for by international charities in the field prior to the summit.

8392nd Renfrew (Trinity) Scouts

Tabled: 11/01/22 Signatories: 2

Gavin Newlands

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the centenary of the formation of the 2nd Renfrew (Trinity) Scout Group on 21 November 2021 following the work of Mr Archie Ferguson in constituting and leading the group as its first Scoutmaster; congratulates the group on the hugely positive role they have played in Renfrew and for the wider community over their 100 years of existence; recognises the work and dedication of all who have helped the group since its foundation, including leaders, helpers and parents, and have helped the group adapt and modernise over the years; acknowledges the thousands of Scouts, Cubs, Explorers and Beavers who have benefited from membership of the group; and extends good wishes to the group for its next 100 years of serving the community.