Contents

Published: Friday 3 March 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 2 March 2023

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

922Thistle Award to Glenmorangie House

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 1

Jamie Stone

That this House congratulates The Glenmorangie Company Ltd on having Glenmorangie House recognised as the best luxury experience at the Thistle Awards and listed as one of the best UK country house hotels for 2023 in the Telegraph; notes the tremendous work of Glenmorangie House; commends the vital importance of businesses like The Glenmorangie Company to the Highland economy by employing over 25 per cent of employees in the Highlands and Islands; and hopes that Glenmorangie House continues to experience growth and success.

923Litter on motorways

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 1

Sir Mike Penning

That this House deplores the huge amount of litter on motorways, access road, junctions and verges; notes that there is a crystal clear legal obligation on National Highways to ensure roads are kept clear of litter; and calls on National Highways to act on this obligation, use motorway gantries to promote anti-littering messaging, ensure staff and contractors remove signs, sandbags and cones following roadworks in a timely manner and ensure contracts include financial penalties for not doing so.

924Richard Foster, the new head of coaching at Motherwell F.C.

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 2

Amy Callaghan

Allan Dorans

That this house congratulates Richard Foster on his appointment as head of coaching for Motherwell Football Club; recognizes his accomplishments at his previous Scottish clubs and internationally; welcomes him back to Scottish football and into his new position at Motherwell; wishes him well in this role; and looks forward to seeing his future contributions to the club.

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.

857Judgment on Bahrain state immunity

Tabled: 20/02/23 Signatories: 17

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Kenny MacAskill

Mick Whitley

Andy McDonald

Richard Burgon

That this House welcomes the High Court’s landmark ruling that the Kingdom of Bahrain does not have state immunity in a case brought by two UK-based Bahraini dissidents against the Bahraini government over spying allegations involving the use of spyware, which enabled it to conduct surreptitious surveillance on Bahraini political activists living in the UK and recognises that this decision comes in the same month as the 12 year anniversary of Bahrain’s pro-democracy uprising; further asserts that this decision clearly confirms that Bahrain and other states which conduct transnational repression on UK soil cannot hide behind state immunity and will be held accountable; and calls on the Government to protect individuals on UK soil from foreign cyber attacks and to hold the government of Bahrain to account.

862Ukrainian refugees and driving in the UK

Tabled: 20/02/23 Signatories: 9

Siobhain McDonagh

Jim Shannon

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Patrick Grady

That this House calls on the Government to support Ukrainian refugees who have made the journey to the UK by car to be able to use them without needing to undergo a permanent import and registration to UK number plates for the duration of their stay in the UK; and believes this would vastly simplify the process and bring the legal position of Ukrainian refugees into alignment with that of overseas students and workers who bring their cars to the UK on a temporary basis, as well as to similar concessions provided by other European countries in response to the humanitarian crisis.

867Amendments to modern slavery guidance

Tabled: 20/02/23 Signatories: 13

Stuart C McDonald

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Hannah Bardell

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Hywel Williams

This House regrets the Prime Minister’s announcement of 13 December 2022, which included the intention to remove the gold-plating in our modern slavery system and significantly raise the threshold someone must meet to be recognised as a victim of modern slavery; opposes the subsequent updates to Modern Slavery Guidance, which include new, impossibly high standards of evidence required within the timeframe to trigger referral to the National Referral Mechanism, a reduction of the Recovery and Reflection Period for survivors of labour abuse and sexual exploitation from 45 to 30 days, and the removal of the NRM Multi-Agency Assurance panel process, changes that make it harder for survivors to be identified and supported, and represent a regression in efforts to increase identification and support of modern slavery victims; supports comments by anti-slavery campaigners that the existing system was not gold plated but already beset by delays and poor support; calls on the Government to reconsider these plans in light of the potential exploitation and harms they will cause, particularly for vulnerable refugees and trafficking victims, which includes a high proportion of children and young people; proposes that the government adopt a transparent data- and evidence-driven approach, in consultation with anti-trafficking organisations, to improve decision-making, following calls from STOP THE TRAFFIK supported by Anti-Slavery International; and encourages the Government to return to tackling modern slavery as both a serious crime and a safeguarding issue, not an illegal immigration issue, in order to tackle its root causes and better protect vulnerable people.

882Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria (No. 2)

Tabled: 21/02/23 Signatories: 15

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

That this House mourns the lives lost and damaged caused by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria; notes that over 47,000 people have died so far and that an estimated 300,000 people in the region are left homeless; and calls on the Government in the short term to implement a family visa scheme for Turks and Syrians who have been left homeless and have family in the UK, and in the long term to establish safe routes for all people who are affected by similar tragedies to be able to find sanctuary in the UK.

884National Lottery Community Fund Award to the Tuesday Friendship Club

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Tuesday Friendship Club based in the Glasgow South West constituency on their £10,000 National Lottery Community Funding award to support there weekly social club for adults with additional support needs in Govan; recognises the work of the Tuesday Friendship Club and supports it’s aims of hosting bespoke Events for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Additional Needs; and wishes the Tuesday Friendship Club the best with all its future endeavours.

885National Lottery Community Fund Award to the ACVC Hub

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 5

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates ACVC Hub based in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of a £10,000 National Lottery Community Fund grant; understands this funding will be used to support a hub for Veterans with mental health issues to engage with creative activities to bring balance back to their lives; recognises ACVC Hub uses arts and crafts as a way to help the Veterans they serve improve their overall health; and wishes ACVC Hub the best with all its future endeavours.

886National Lottery Community Fund Award to Community Veteran's Support

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Community Veterans Support based in Govan in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of a £194,268 National Lottery Community Fund grant; understands this funding will be used to support veterans across Scotland through the provision of a drop-in centre based at the Pearce Institute in Govan; recognises Community Veterans Support works with veterans needing assistance with issues surrounding mental and physical health, homelessness, housing, pensions, benefits support, employment and training and a range of other support including friendship and camaraderie; and wishes Community Veterans Support the best with all its future endeavours.

887National Lottery Community Fund Award to Linthouse Monday Club

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Linthouse Monday Club based in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of a £10,000 National Lottery Community Fund grant; understands this funding will be used to allow the group to run bi-weekly trips to different locations in and around Glasgow, where participants will have a warm meal and have a fun day out with new friends; recognises Linthouse Monday Club aims to increase the connectivity of older people by setting up a sustainable and self-organised club run by older people, for older people in the Govan community; and wishes Linthouse Monday Club the best with all its future endeavours.

888National Lottery Community Fund Award to Govan Community Project

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 5

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Govan Community Project based in Govan in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of a £9,914 National Lottery Community Fund grant; understands this funding will be used to employ a Bike Library Co-ordinator to oversee their bike lending service; recognises Govan Community Project supports the diverse communities in the Greater Govan area and refugees and people seeking asylum all over Glasgow.; and wishes Govan Community Project the best with all its future endeavours.

889National Lottery Community Fund Award to Govan Men's Shed

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 5

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Govan Men's Shed based in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of a £9,950 National Lottery Community Fund grant; understands this funding will be used to extend their services and offer a warm space for local pensioners during the winter months; recognises Govan Men's Shed provides pensioners with an environment which gives them valuable contact and interaction by providing a workshop to assist local people with their DIY projects; and wishes Men’s Shed Govan the best with all its future endeavours.

890National Lottery Community Fund Award to The Rangers' Charity Foundation

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates The Rangers Charity Foundation based in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of a £111,577 National Lottery Community Fund grant; understands this funding will be used to deliver a drop-in service for people in recovery from substance abuse and that the service delivered from Ibrox Stadium and the Ibrox complex benefitting 250 people and 30 volunteers over three years; recognises The Rangers Charity Foundation works compassionately to support those in need, by seeking tackle inequalities and by creating opportunities for people of all ages to change their lives for the better; and wishes The Rangers Charity the best with all its future endeavours.

891National Lottery Community Fund Award to Riverside Hall

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 5

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Riverside Hall based in Govan in the Glasgow South West constituency on their award of £9,200 from National Lottery Community funding to run sessions twice weekly, 48 weeks of the year for young people aged five to eleven years, with sessions consisting of activities such as football, bike rides and old school games; recognises Riverside Hall provides a community space and activities for a vibrant local community of all age groups; and wishes the Riverside Hall the best with all its future endeavours.

892Andrew Arbuckle and National Farmers’ Union of Scotland Ambassador Award

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Tim Farron

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Andrew Arbuckle of Newburgh, Fife, on receiving the prestigious Ambassador Award from the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland; recognises Mr Arbuckle’s influential work as an agricultural advocate, award-winning journalist and local politician; remembers Mr Arbuckle’s vital coverage of farming emergencies such as foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy; appreciates Mr Arbuckle’s public service as a Liberal Democrat Member of Scottish Parliament and Fife councillor; and further endorses the importance of the Scottish agricultural industry, to which Mr Arbuckle has dedicated much of his career.

893VAT on audiobooks

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 26

Sir Mike Penning

Dr Philippa Whitford

Margaret Ferrier

Allan Dorans

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Deidre Brock

That this House recognises that audio books, now popular and widely available across all genres; from business to academic, from historical to self help, are a lifeline for many people with sight loss, visual impairment, dyslexia or other reading disabilities; agrees that audio books offer unique opportunities for visually-impaired and dyslexic people to improve their education on a par with their peers; recognises that audio books enable visually-impaired and dyslexic people to continue working independently for longer and thereby contribute to the economy for longer; recognises that audio books open up a world of information, literature and poetry to visually-impaired and dyslexic people; welcomes the zero-rate VAT for e-books but also recognises that e-books, when read aloud by automated text-to-speech, are difficult to listen to for long periods, lack intonation, may mispronounce names and places, can often read out every bracket and notation, making it difficult to comprehend or recall meaning; notes that other European countries have recently reduced their rates of VAT on audiobooks, including Norway to zero; and calls for equal VAT-status to be applied to audio books as already exists for e-books and physical books.

894Warm Home Discount Scheme

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 12

Steve McCabe

Valerie Vaz

Caroline Lucas

Mrs Paulette Hamilton

Jonathan Edwards

Charlotte Nichols

That this House notes that many households are struggling with the cost of their energy bills; welcomes the decision to expand the Warm Home Discount to reach more households; is concerned by the number of people who were previously eligible for the Warm Home Discount who are no longer receiving it due to the energy rating of their household, despite their circumstances not changing; is further concerned that energy costs are being measured using Valuation Office Agency data and not including efficiency measures such as insulation; and calls for a review of how energy costs are measured and how it is that many households are no longer able to receive the discount despite being eligible to do so in the past.

895Henry Wuga's 99th birthday

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 12

Kirsten Oswald

Ms Anum Qaisar

Christine Jardine

Patricia Gibson

Amy Callaghan

Patrick Grady

That this House sends its very best wishes to Henry Wuga MBE on the occasion of his 99th birthday; notes that he was born Heinz Wuga in Nuremberg in 1924 and was sent to Glasgow on the Kindertransport in 1939 at the age of only 15; understands that he had a long and successful career in the catering business; appreciates that in 1999 he was awarded an MBE for his work with limbless ex-servicemen; celebrates the magnificent contribution he has made to Holocaust Education in Scotland alongside his late wife Ingrid Wuga BEM, also a Kindertransport child; notes that thousands of children and young people have heard directly from Henry and Ingrid about their experiences of the Holocaust; further notes the profound impact this has had on so many people who have heard them; acknowledges the vital importance of testimony such as Henry’s in ensuring a clear appreciation of what happened during the Holocaust and why it must never happen again; thanks him for his continued and tireless efforts in this regard; notes that his contributions have made a significant difference to education in Scotland; and thanks him for his selfless work for others; and hopes that he has a wonderful birthday.

898NAO report and Common Platform

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 29

Liz Saville Roberts

John McDonnell

Ms Diane Abbott

Kim Johnson

Kate Hollern

Chris Stephens

That this House notes the National Audit Office's report on Progress on the Courts and Tribunals Reform Programme, which identifies numerous areas of concern around the Common Platform case management system, including tens of millions of pounds of financial waste and major problems of functionality and reliability; further notes the NAO's finding that His Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service did not receive sufficient assurance Common Platform was robust before rollout, leading to performance issues, or leave sufficient time to learn from early adopter sites; further notes that thousands of important notifications over a 15-month period failed to send due to system errors, including 35 cases where people were not electronically tagged, while HMCTS recorded 231 critical incidents in eight months affecting users nationally; notes that stakeholders reported the system design made user roles more difficult, with staff finding it stressful to record results of complex cases live in court, while poor software performance and stability led to page timeouts affecting live resulting and other high-risk processes; believes this report validates warnings by the Public and Commercial Services union that Common Platform affects the timeliness and quality of the delivery of justice and causes distress for users, leading to increased staff sickness absence and resignations; applauds PCS members for their ongoing industrial action against Common Platform, with targeted strikes by legal advisers and court associates since October 2022; and calls on the Government and HMCTS to suspend the use of Common Platform until NAO and PCS concerns are fully resolved.

900World Book Day 2023

Tabled: 24/02/23 Signatories: 33

Valerie Vaz

Richard Foord

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jamie Stone

David Mundell

That this House supports World Book Day in its mission to promote reading for pleasure; commends tis success in distributing 50 million book tokens annually to children; with a further 101,000 books donated to children by publishers, the Arts Council and others; notes reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success; further notes with concern that reading for pleasure is at its lowest level since 2005, with fewer than one in two children and young people aged nine to 18 saying they enjoyed reading; recognises the importance of children from all backgrounds having the opportunity to choose and own a book; calls on all Members of the House to be reading champions for their constituencies; and warmly welcomes World Book Day's celebration in schools and homes across the United Kingdom on 2 March 2023.

901Supporting independent and local journalism

Tabled: 24/02/23 Signatories: 13

Daisy Cooper

Richard Foord

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Tim Farron

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House recognises the crucial role that small, independent news publishers play in a democracy; notes the importance for communities of accessing truly local news that speaks to their needs and experiences; laments the sharp decline of local news production due to falling revenue and a rapidly evolving news economy; celebrates the growing innovation in independent news to respond to the challenges its providers face; welcomes the recommendations made by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on the sustainability of local news which build on the 2019 Cairncross Review of public interest news, noting in particular the directive to help independent news publishers become competitive and profitable in the face of tech giant market disruption, also reflected in the 2022 Public Interest Journalism Working Group’s recommendations to the Scottish Government; and therefore; resolves to ensure that publishers large and small benefit from a publisher-platform bargaining code in the forthcoming Digital Markets, Consumers and Competition Bill.

905Formula One in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and human rights

Tabled: 27/02/23 Signatories: 17

Wendy Chamberlain

Richard Foord

Jamie Stone

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Tim Farron

Munira Wilson

That this House expresses grave concerns over the role of Formula One and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in sportswashing the appalling human rights records of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; notes that Saudi Arabia executed 81 prisoners in one day in 2022, while Bahrain imprisons its population at the highest rate of any country in the Middle East and North Africa region, with an estimated 1,300 political prisoners; condemns F1’s refusal to engage with key stakeholders including human rights groups, such as the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy when awarding Bahrain the longest contract in F1 history, breaching F1’s own policy; urges the Government to support an an independent and impartial inquiry to assess the implications of F1 races in human rights violation, the adequacy and effectiveness of F1’s current human rights policy, or lack thereof, and its implementation and their responses to evidence of serious human rights violations in F1 host countries; further urges the Government to support calls for the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to adopt a human rights policy consistent with the UN’s Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights; further condemns the ongoing imprisonment of political leaders in F1 host nations including Bahrain; and calls on the Government to use all available leverage to make representations to Bahrain for them to immediately and unconditionally release political prisoners, including Hassan Mushaima, Dr Abdulajalil AlSingace, Sheikh Ali Salman, Abdulhali AlKhawaja, Ali AlHajee, Najee Fateel, Sayed Nizar Alwadaei and death row inmates Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa.

906Ofgem boiler upgrade scheme product eligibility list

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 5

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

This House notes with concern the decision of Ofgem to summarily remove certain domestic biomass heating systems from their approved Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) Product Eligibility List via email to stakeholders on 24 February 2023; notes that this decision was made overnight without prior consultation with small businesses who supply and install renewable heating systems; expresses concern that, potentially, clients who are currently in receipt of BUS vouchers for heating systems and were previously eligible may no longer be; further notes that the decision could immediately threaten the sustainability of small businesses that supply and install renewable heating systems; is concerned that many stone built households with existing radiator systems, particularly in rural areas, will not be able to access low carbon heating systems via the BUS as the most suitable systems for such homes have been removed from the Product Eligibility List; and calls on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to urgently intervene to ensure that any changes to the BUS Product Eligibility List protects those households with existing vouchers, is done in consultation with renewable heating small businesses and continues to support renewable technology best suited for stone built buildings.

90850th anniversary of Action Cancer

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 3

Carla Lockhart

Paul Girvan

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Action Cancer, a leading Northern Ireland Cancer Charity, on its 50th anniversary; recognises the vital working of the charity to save lives and support local people through cancer awareness, prevention, detection and support; pays tribute to the staff and volunteers who make this work possible, including fundraisers; and wishes the Charity well for this anniversary year and for the future.

912Hunger in East Africa

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 7

Layla Moran

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House is deeply concerned about the acute hunger crisis in the East Africa region; notes that despite 36.4 million people in the Horn of Africa region suffering with hunger, the Government has cut humanitarian aid to less than a fifth of what it was in the financial year of 2017-2018 in the region; condemns the Government’s decision to abandon the 0.7 per cent target for international development spending; calls on the Government to urgently reinstate the 0.7 per cent target, and to correspondingly increase vital support to people in the regions; and resolves to continue to hold the Government to account on its broken promise on international development spending.

913Scotland and fair trade

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 7

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Stewart Hosie

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House notes the 10th anniversary on 25 February 2023 of Scotland being recognised as a Fair Trade Nation; further notes that recognition of this status commits national and local governments, communities, organisations and individuals to work towards and achieve targets for the use and promotion of fair trade products, and the use where possible of fair trade principles in the development of procurement and purchasing policies, with the aim of ensuring that the producers of goods, such as small farmers or garment workers in developing countries, are paid a fair price for their products; congratulates the many charitable organisations, fair trade shops and community groups that have worked for many years to attain and sustain local and regional Fair Trade awards, which contribute to the award at a national level; welcomes the series of events and activities organised by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to mark the anniversary, and its commitment to continuing to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of fair trade to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world and as a means of building economic partnerships that promote sustainability and tackle climate change; and wishes all those involved in the movement every success in working for the day when all trade is fair trade.

914Freedom of religion or belief in Iran

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 3

Alexander Stafford

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House deplores the ongoing human rights violations being perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran; notes that these violations come in a context of more general restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief for many religious minorities in Iran, including Christians and the Baha’i, and also Sufi and Sunni Muslims; mourns the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest for wearing the hijab "improperly" and her reported beating by members of the so-called morality police; considers the enforcement of religious dress codes for all Iranian women, regardless of their beliefs, to be a violation of the freedom of religion or belief of women from religious minorities in Iran, and also of Muslim women who do not wish to conform to mandatory hijab; highlights that these restrictions are in violation of Iran’s obligations as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); urges the Government of Iran to amend its constitution and relevant legislation to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief for all Iranians, as envisaged by Article 18 of the ICCPR; and calls on the UK Government to continue to defend freedom of religion or belief, in its fullest meaning, and to support the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran and of the UN’s Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Human Rights in Iran.

915Claremont Rambling Club: 40th Anniversary

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 3

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Claremont Rambling Club in its 40th anniversary year; commemorates its founding members, Ann Stoddart and Cathy Kirk, who first put an advert looking for like-minded people to go rambling with in the local newspaper, East Kilbride News, in May 1983; notes the development of the club, its affiliation with the Ramblers Association, and the example it sets to other walking clubs subsequently set up in East Kilbride; recognises both the senior and junior members, with members up to 85 years-old; acknowledges the commendable and committed community spirit of the club, putting on regular activities that are considered a lifeline by many of the club’s older members; and congratulates Claremont Rambling Club for being awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, which will enable Claremont Rambling Club to continue to provide this valuable service to the community for years to come.

916The Miley: 30th anniversary

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Stewart Hosie

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the designation of The Miley in Lochee as a wildlife reserve; recognises the hard work and dedication of the group of volunteers from the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Angus and Dundee Branch who have helped transform the site over the last three decades; notes that The Miley has been turned from a mile-long stretch of disused railway into a beloved local attraction; further notes that to mark the event volunteers met with local school pupils from St Mary’s Primary School to plant bulbs and wildflower seeds; and wishes the team of volunteers who look after The Miley all the best for the future.

917Tribute to John Motson OBE

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 3

Sir Mike Penning

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House pays tribute to the late John Motson OBE, celebrated football commentator, until recently a long-time resident of Hemel Hempstead constituency, who sadly passed away at the age of 77; recognises his 50-year career at the BBC and that his commentaries for BBC Sport achieved iconic status and that he was one of the most recognisable voices in UK football for a whole generation; and sends condolences to his wife Ann, family and friends and mourns the passing of a football legend and a gentleman.

918Mongoose Plastics Ltd, Glenrothes 40th anniversary

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 3

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Mongoose Plastics Ltd of Glenrothes on their 40th anniversary; notes that the family-run business was established on 14 February 1983 by George Cameron and the late Adam Gordon; acknowledges that Mongoose Plastics Ltd has extensive experience in plastic fabrication for a range of markets from the electronics industry to medical and automotive companies; commends Mongoose Plastics Ltd on their work to incorporate recycled plastics into their processes; recognises the significant positive impact that small businesses such as Mongoose Plastics have on local communities and the local economy; and wishes Mongoose Plastics Ltd well for the future.

919Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club 10th anniversary

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 3

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates the Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club on their 10th anniversary; notes that the club was founded by Jayne Murphy on 15 January 2013 at Christ Kirk, Pitcoudie, before outgrowing that location and moving to their current home at Edison House in Glenrothes in September 2013; commends the Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club on the donation of various knitted items to charity throughout the last decade; recognises that the club has donated items such as premature baby hats and baby blankets to the maternity unit at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy as well as contributing hats for the homeless to the YMCA in Glenrothes, taken part in the Big Knit for Age UK and knitted blankets for the Rosyth hedgehog hospital; and extends its thanks to the Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club for their good works and wishes them well for the next 10 years.

920BBC Local Radio services and industrial action

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 13

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Apsana Begum

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House recognises the overwhelming mandate for industrial action secured by members of the National Union of Journalists at the BBC, following an industrial action ballot over the Corporation’s plan to cut local radio services in England; notes that the figures of 83 per cent voting for strike action on a turnout of 69 per cent demonstrate that BBC journalists have no confidence in management plans; understands that the resulting strike action will involve National Union of Journalists members working on BBC local radio, regional TV and online; supports the National Union of Journalists in suggesting that the BBC’s investment in digital services should not come at the expense of local radio and the communities it serves; and therefore calls on management to meaningfully engage over the plans and ensure that local radio services enjoyed by 5.7 million listeners every week are protected.

921Wales Air Ambulance Service

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 4

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House welcomes the news that the Wales Air Ambulance Service will continue to operate out of its Caernarfon and Welshpool bases, securing its short-term future till at least 2026; notes that Gama Aviation will become its new aviation partner having secured a seven-year contract to provide aviation services to the air ambulance in Wales; acknowledges that the news comes following months of uncertainty as plans were announced to centralise operations at only one site in northeast Wales despite opposition from rural communities in Gwynedd and mid-Wales; maintains that the Air Ambulance provides a crucial and valued service to northwest and mid Wales; thanks all of those who contributed to the campaign to persuade the charity to maintain operations at Caernarfon and Welshpool, particularly those who have benefited from the work of the Air Ambulance and shared their experiences during the campaign; further notes that the campaign spanned several public meetings, petitions, and Senedd debates to maintain the service; and encourages everyone, if they can, to participate in the upcoming engagement process over the service’s long term future, which is set to begin in the Spring.