Contents

Published: Wednesday 19 April 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 18 April 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

1065Larne Football Club

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Sammy Wilson

That this House congratulates Larne FC on its amazing achievement of moving from the bottom of the second tier division of the football league in 2017-18 to becoming the First Division champions in 2022-23; notes that this is the first time in its 134 year history that the club has had such success which builds on three successive victories in the County Antrim Shield; further notes the civic pride which the club’s successes have generated in the town of Larne; welcomes the way in which sport has been transformed in the town through the sporting academy for young players; and thanks Kenny Brucea, local businessman, who wanted to give something back to the town he was brought up in and who invested resources from his successful business Purple Bricks to finance improvements at the club.

1066Red Ramp Events and the Golden Friendship Club

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House notes the grand opening of Red Ramp Events by the Golden Friendship Club based in Clydebank, with members also from Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and across the west of Scotland; understands that this opening may be the first community based wheelchair entertainment venue in the world which will be invaluable in breaking down barriers faced by wheelchair users allowing them equal access to entertainment without discrimination; believes this is another example of the exceptional work carried out by Jim McLaren and all at the Golden Friendship Club; and wishes them the very best for future endeavours.

1067Diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Wayne David

That this House notes that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam; believes that over those years Vietnam and the UK have built a strong partnership; warmly thanks the current Vietnamese and UK Ambassadors, their staff and their predecessors for the work they have done in developing that partnership; appreciates the role played by the Vietnam-UK Network, the British Council and Chevening Scholarships in helping to develop business, cultural and educational ties between our two countries; welcomes co-operation across a range of issues, such as international security and tackling climate change; and looks forward to a continued and deepening relationship between our two countries for many years to come.

1068Increase in Education Maintenance Allowance in Wales

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 5

Beth Winter

Ian Mearns

Apsana Begum

Kim Johnson

Mohammad Yasin

That this House welcomes Welsh Government's decision to increase the education maintenance allowance payment above £30 to £40 a week; congratulates members of the Senedd, NUS Wales and NEU Cymru for championing the increase; recognises that more must be done to deal with the cost of living crisis and the need to encourage 16-19 educational attendance, including a regular increase in EMA; regrets the cancellation of education maintenance allowance in England in 2010; further welcomes the calls of NEU and NASUWT unions for the reinstatement of EMA in England; and calls on the Government to reintroduce the education maintenance allowance in England at the same rate as Wales at the earliest opportunity.

106970th anniversary of Dundonald Baptist Church

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the 70th Anniversary of Dundonald Baptist Church this year, founded in 1953; notes that Dundonald Baptist are a group of people who have faith in an extraordinary God and are seeking together to follow Jesus Christ as their Risen Saviour; notes how they connect the local community and provide a safe sanctuary to worship Jesus, enjoy fellowship together and learn from God's Word; and thanks them for their care and commitment to the people of Dundonald and surrounding areas and wishes them all the best for the future in their service to God and their community.

1070100th anniversary of Newtownards Baptist Church

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Newtownards Baptist Church; notes their celebrations through three special anniversary services, where they were joined by some of their former Pastors and relatives of past members and Elders; highlights that the current Pastor, Richard Donnan, presented a history of the Church and took members back through the years and highlighted significant memories, events, former missionaries and many who have come through the Church and went into full time ministry; further highlights the tremendous community spirit that has been shown in the Church over the years with their faith in action and faithful preaching of gospel every week; and prays God's richest blessing upon this wonderful wee community church.

1071South Shields Football Club

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Kate Osborne

That this House congratulates South Shields Football Club on winning the Northern League Premier Division title and promotion to National League North; pays tribute to owner and Chairman Geoff Thompson, manager Kevin Phillips and the players for their role in helping the club to the Northern League Premier Division title; recognises the efforts of all the staff at the club and their contribution towards helping South Shields FC secure promotion; acknowledges the club’s significant growth and success since Geoff Thompson became involved in 2015, with three consecutive promotions achieved as well as a number of cup victories, including the FA Vase at Wembley in 2017; fully praises the progression of the club which plays an important community role in South Tyneside; and wishes everyone at South Shields FC every success in next season's National League North.

1072Anniversary of the Kinder Scout mass trespass

Tabled: 18/04/23 Signatories: 1

Caroline Lucas

That this House notes that 24 April marks the anniversary of the Kinder Scout mass trespass; acknowledges that this trespass united the campaign for access to the countryside and eventually contributed to the establishment of the UK’s first national parks through the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; recognises the growing body of evidence demonstrating the importance of access to nature for physical and mental health; is concerned that people from ethnic minorities are less likely to live near green space and that one in three people in England cannot access nature near their home; is deeply concerned about nature’s decline, with 40 per cent of the UK’s species populations having declined since 1970, and believes that improving the public’s connection with the natural world is essential to its restoration; notes that the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 only provides access to eight per cent of English land and that the public can only access three per cent of rivers in England and Wales; acknowledges that legislation in Scotland provides a right of responsible access and that European countries including Norway and Sweden have a much greater right to roam; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation to extend the right to roam and to improve promotion of the countryside code, to deliver on the 25 Year Environment Plan goal to conserve and enhance the beauty of our natural environment, and make sure it can be enjoyed, used by and cared for by everyone.

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.

1043Knife crime reduction

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 17

Rebecca Long Bailey

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Kate Osborne

Grahame Morris

That this House notes that knife crime continues to devastate lives, with offences involving a knife or sharp instrument being 50,434 in 2021-2022 compared with the decade low of 28,298 in 2013-14, according to Home Office Police recorded crime data; further notes that Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Metropolitan are the three Police Force Areas with the highest volumes of knife-enabled crime in England and Wales in the year ending September 2022 according to the ONS; commends the fall in knife crime in Salford in 2022, defying national trends, due to extensive work with young people by local organisations like Salford Community Safety Partnership and Greater Manchester Police operations; notes that recent serious knife crime incidents indicate a need for further urgent, extensive funding for reduction campaigns and initiatives, including knife crime awareness initiatives in schools and youth-based settings such as the No More Knives campaign, the creation of resources like the commendable documentary No Safe Place produced by young people and ReelMCR and funded by Great Places and Equans, the #KNIFEFREE digital and outdoor campaign by ForHousing, City West Housing and Salford Community Leisure, and ringfenced police resources; further notes the importance of reviewing the potential clinical benefits of rolling out installation of life-saving bleed kits across cities and regions like Greater Manchester, as well as local training to use them, which will also benefit in other emergency scenarios; and as such, urgently calls on the Government to ringfence dedicated funding for such initiatives.

1044Aidan Martin and Mark Deans and The Scheme, Livingston

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 4

Hannah Bardell

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House celebrates the launch of The Scheme in Livingston, a free service offering people struggling with alcohol and drug addictions, and mental health issues, the chance to be creative in the world of music, writing, performance, filmmaking, and other arts that are often inaccessible to many people; congratulates its founders and local artists, Aidan Martin and Mark Deans, for their long-standing commitment and work over many years to make this service available; recognises their work and role, along with West Lothian College, that ensures a safe, accessible and inclusive space for people of all backgrounds and circumstances to be able to use; and further notes the importance of the The Scheme for people across Livingston and West Lothian in view of the drug death crisis and mental health crisis that are impacting our local communities.

1045Housing conditions in the private rented sector

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 9

Dan Carden

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Grahame Morris

Rebecca Long Bailey

Claudia Webbe

That this House acknowledges the report by Citizen's Advice entitled Damp, cold and full of mould: The reality of housing in the private rented sector; is alarmed by the finding that 2.7 million renting households, including 1.6 million children, are currently living in cold, damp or mouldy homes; calls on the Government to implement the report's recommendations to strengthen minimum energy efficiency standards in legislation; and further calls for Awaab’s Law, which will place strict timelines on landlords to deal with issues such as damp and mould, to be extended to the private sector.

1046Friends of Strathaven Castle

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 4

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House commends the great progress and achievement of the Friends of Strathaven Castle group; recognises the historical value of the 15th-century monument, with the last resident being Anne, Duchess of Hamilton, who lived there until her death in 1716; applauds founder of the Group, Jan Dawson, who started the group on 27 January 2022 in order to galvanise the community of Strathaven to promote sustainable and necessary repairs and renewed access to the Castle; notes the quick growth of the group to over 750 members already; congratulates them on the progress made so far in their campaign for repairs to the Castle; and wishes them the very best in this and all their other endeavours.

1047Netherlee Primary 90th birthday

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 4

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Netherlee Primary School as they celebrate their 90th birthday, having first opened their doors in 1933; notes the birthday was marked in a number of ways including a talent show, parties, and art projects; further notes that a special podcast series called 90 Years in 90 Minutes was created to mark the birthday, with students hosting the podcast and interviewing current members of staff, the oldest pupil, and a former student; understands the tech team responsible for the production of the podcast was also student-led; recognises the significant birthday was also marked with students lining up in the playground to form a huge number 90, footage of which was captured using an aerial drone; and wishes all the staff and pupils at Netherlee Primary all the very best for the future.

1048Jack Ransom 103rd birthday

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 5

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

That this House is congratulates Jack Ransom, a resident of Largs, who reached the milestone of his 103rd birthday on 15 April 2023; understands that Jack is a Londoner by birth, known locally as the Scottish Cockney, and notably served in the army and survived the horrific conditions of the Burma Railway in World War Two; recognises that, due to covid-19, Jack was unable to celebrate his 100th birthday as planned and, therefore, is determined to celebrate this special occasion; and wishes Jack a happy birthday and looks forward to his 104th birthday.

1049Include Me2 Club, Cowan Park

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 5

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates the Include Me2 Club charity based in Barrhead who obtained a thirty-year lease on the Gate Lodge at Cowan Park; notes that the club worked hard to refurbish the hub that includes public toilets, a café, enterprise and community spaces for hire, meeting spaces, a cycling hub and bike hire; further notes that the opening ceremony for the new club was attended by Catherine Kennedy, who was born in the Gate Lodge building; applauds the invaluable work of the club, which delivers events and activities for children and adults with physical, mental health and learning disabilities or additional support needs; values the positive contribution that the club makes to communities across East Renfrewshire and beyond; appreciates the hard work and dedication of all those involved with the delivery of the club’s services; and wishes the club all the very best for the future.

1050Billy Sinclair Neilston

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 5

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates Billy Sinclair of Sinclair Hair Studios in Neilston as he approaches his retirement after more than five decades of service as a barber; notes Billy started working with James Lawns in Cross Arthurlie Street Barrhead before starting his shop for gents on Kirktonfield Road Neilston in 1968; recognises Billy then moved his business to the current location on Neilston Mainstreet in 1980, which will close its doors for the last time on 15 April 2023; further notes that Billy was joined for the past 35 years by Mick Barclay and Cathy Moore, who managed the gents and ladies services respectively; understands that Billy has been an active part of the Neilston community, including having chaired the Neilston Business Forum; thanks Billy for his significant service to the local community for over half a century; and wishes Billy all the very best for his retirement, when he intends to spend more time on the golf course and visiting his family in Dubai.

1051Asian Tandoori, Scottish Curry Awards 2023

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 2

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Asian Tandoori takeaway in Cambuslang on being shortlisted as finalists for the 15th annual Scottish Curry Awards; celebrates the Scottish Curry Awards and their efforts in highlighting the growth of the Asian curry sector in Scotland; recognises the hard work and commitment that has led to Asian Tandoori’s finalist nomination; and wishes them well both at The Scottish Curry Awards 2023 and in all of their future endeavours.

1052Terra Kin, BBC Radio Scotland award

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 3

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates Terra Kin, from Cambuslang, on winning BBC Radio Scotland’s Scottish Act of The Year 2023; distinguishes the hard work and talent that has led to this achievement; celebrates BBC Radio Scotland’s competition and their amplification of the Scottish music scene and emerging Scottish talent; notes that winning this competition gives Terra the opportunity to perform at TRNSMT music festival; and wishes her the best with this and all of her future endeavours.

1053Elsie Cook, Scottish Women's Football

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 5

Alan Brown

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

That this House recognises the outstanding contribution of Elsie Cook to the development of women's football in the UK; notes that she founded the Scottish Women’s Football Association in 1972 and organised the first international women’s football game for Scotland's national team against England, in conjunction with Pat Gregory, then honorary secretary of the English Women’s Football Association; further notes that the game was played at the Ravenscraig stadium, Greenock, partly because of a longstanding ban by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on the use of professional-level pitches and that the SFA did not recognise the women’s game formally until 1974, this first international was deemed unofficial; notes that Elsie was banned by the SFA from any involvement with the senior women’s team; notes that this match provided a goal scoring debut for Rose Reilly, who went on to win a world cup for her adopted nation team, the Italian national team, gli Azzure (the Blues); welcomes that her tireless campaigning helped to reverse the ban on women playing football in Scotland and applauds her for breaking down barriers and fighting for women football players to have the same rights and respect as men; commends Elsie for her recent receipt of a civic recognition certificate from East Ayrshire Council; believes that she deserves continued recognition nationally for her pioneering work in the women's game; and thanks Elsie for her continued support of her beloved club, Kilmarnock FC, where she remains a dedicated fan to this day.

1054John Gibson cycle for Beatson Cancer Charity

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 5

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates John Gibson on cycling 124.97 miles across Glasgow and Edinburgh on Friday 31 March 2023 in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity; commends him for doing so in exactly 11 hours, finishing at Hampden Park; applauds him for raising £2,793 to support the invaluable services that the Beatson Cancer Charity provides; recognises his long-standing dedication to supporting the work of Beatson; and wishes him and his family all the best for the future.

1055Ben Gentil, East Lothian Young Musician of the Year

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 2

Kenny MacAskill

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Ben Gentil on being crowned East Lothian's Young Musician of the Year in a countywide competition in March 2023; understands that 25 soloists from seven different schools performed in recitals at St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington, and that 13 of those were asked to return for the final, where drummer Ben was announced as the winner by adjudicators; recognises that Ben has also been offered a place at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts; and wishes Ben and all the runners-up the very best of luck with the future.

1056Retirement of Malcolm Quinn after 50 years at Henderson Grass Machinery

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 2

Kenny MacAskill

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Malcolm Quinn on his retirement after working for 50 years at Henderson Grass Machinery in Haddington, East Lothian; recognises that Malcolm joined the company as a teenager and worked as a parts assistant; understands that Malcolm is a keen runner and will likely be spending his new-found spare time running, having already completed more that 50 marathons and over 200 half marathons; and wishes Malcolm the very best of luck with his retirement and all the best for the future.

1057Mearns Primary School, Kellogg’s Breakfast Club

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 4

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Mearns Primary School in Newton Mearns East Renfrewshire for being shortlisted as a finalist for the Best Breakfast Club in Scotland category as part of Kellogg’s annual Breakfast Club Awards; recognises the unfortunate reality that too many children go to school hungry each day which can have a detrimental impact on their education; highlights the positive impact that the Breakfast Club has had in the school with teachers reporting improved concentration and focus during class time from children who attended the club; appreciates that Mearns Primary made the final shortlist of 48 schools, which was whittled down from an initial cohort of 400 schools; further notes that Mearns Primary Breakfast Club provides around 23 children with healthy nutritious meals to kickstart the school day; understands Kellogg’s have supported Breakfast Clubs in schools for 25 years and that the Best Breakfast Club 2023 Award has a prize of £1,000 and a trip to the House of Commons for the club’s participants; and wishes everyone involved with the Mearns Primary Breakfast Club the very best of luck for the final stage of the Breakfast Club Awards.

1058East Kilbride Rugby Football Club

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 4

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House commends East Kilbride Rugby Football Club on its recent qualification for the Scottish Rugby National Shield Final; notes that this is its fifth national final appearance in the 55 years of the club’s history; recognises, in particular, the hard work and achievement of Head Coach, Craig Brown, in his first season successfully leading the team; pays tribute to the strong links with the local East Kilbride community that have been forged and strengthened by the club; and wishes them all the best in this important match at Murrayfield Stadium, the home of Scottish rugby, recognising that the club has already made East Kilbride proud.

1059Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 4

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That the House notes that a Civic Reception will be held to mark Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels being awarded the overall winners of the Provost’s Civic Awards in 2021; understands that due to the covid-19 pandemic they were not afforded an opportunity to be recognised for their achievements and that their volunteers, helpers and friends will have that opportunity at this reception; also notes that the services they provide include food supplies via their community pantry, toiletries, feminine products and baby wipes and pampers as well community facilities including a meeting space, social space and promotional space for the local community to use; further notes that they have established a Chatty Café for members of the local community to use; believes that Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels offer an invaluable and outstanding contribution to the local community; and wishes them well for the coming years.

1060TransPennine Express

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 24

Mike Amesbury

Ian Mearns

Rachael Maskell

Grahame Morris

Jim Shannon

Tony Lloyd

That this House calls for the contract for TransPennine Express to be terminated; notes that TransPennine Express has been providing unacceptable levels of service to the north for years and that they are at truly now dire levels; also notes that TransPennine Express recently cancelled almost a quarter of all trains between 5 February and 4 March and recorded one of the worst punctuality rates in the country between October and December last year with less than half of services running on time; recognises that people in the north deserve a reliable train service for work, school, college and leisure; and calls on the Government to bring TransPennine Express under the operator of last resort and back into public ownership.

1061Brandon Grant, Boxing Scotland Elite Championships 2023

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 2

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Brandon Grant on winning the title of Scottish Elite Flyweight Champion at the Boxing Scotland Elite Championships 2023; notes that he received a gold medal, a pair of golden gloves and a championship belt; praises the talent, hard work and determination that has enabled his achievements; recognises his club, Priestfield Boxing Club in Blantyre, for their role in nurturing young sporting talent in the community; celebrates good sportsmanship and the sport of boxing; and wishes the best for both Brandon and Priestfield Boxing Club in all of their future endeavours.

1062gal-dem magazine

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 13

Nadia Whittome

Ms Diane Abbott

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Dawn Butler

Apsana Begum

Zarah Sultana

That this House celebrates the achievements and legacy of gal-dem magazine, an online and print publication that was produced by and centred women and non-binary people of colour; notes that it gave life-changing opportunities to journalists from marginalised backgrounds; further notes its importance in platforming underrepresented issues, experiences and points of view; mourns its recent closure after eight years; recognises the need for a greater diversity of voices and perspectives in UK media; believes that independent media is an important component of the media landscape that is in need of greater support during the cost of living crisis; and wishes all those whose jobs have been affected by gal-dem’s closure every success for the future.

1063Mr Jim Bett, Fife Alcohol Support Service

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 2

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

That this House commends and congratulates Mr Jim Bett on his retirement from Fife Alcohol Support Service after 28 years of exceptional service; notes that Jim has worked in a variety of roles, most recently as Service Manager for the charity, which has served the people of Fife since 1977 by providing services designed to meet the needs of Fifers affected by alcohol and substance misuse; recognises Jim’s efforts to ensure accessible counselling services are available to thousands of vulnerable people, whilst embodying an ethos of ethical practice, responsible management and securing ongoing funding for this vital service; and wishes him all the very best in his well-earned retirement.

106420th anniversary of shooting of Tom Hurndall

Tabled: 17/04/23 Signatories: 17

Andy McDonald

Ian Mearns

Grahame Morris

Jeremy Corbyn

Kate Osborne

Nadia Whittome

That this House notes that April 2023 marks twenty years since 22 year old British photojournalist, Tom Hurndall, was shot in the head by an Israeli army sniper as he tried to rescue Palestinian children from the line of gunfire in Gaza; further notes that he died in January 2004 after being in a coma for nine months and that his killer was released after serving just six years in prison; notes that the lenient sentence and the cursory nature of the military investigation which preceded were examples of a culture of impunity in the State of Israel’s use of illegal extra-judicial killings; notes that this culture of impunity remains evident in the actions of illegal settlers and the Israeli army in the Occupied Territories today; and urges the Government to uphold the principle of accountability for war crimes committed in Israel and Palestine no less diligently than it does in relation to those committed elsewhere by reversing its opposition to the International Criminal Court’s investigation into those crimes.