Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Wednesday 24 May 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 23 May 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

1206Volunteers’ Week 2023

Tabled: 23/05/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House commends the hard work and dedication shown by volunteers across the country; recognises Volunteers' Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June, as an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and inspire more people to try volunteering; notes that the personal benefits of volunteering for individuals and communities are wide ranging; further notes that 27 per cent of Scotland's adult population volunteered for a group or organisation in 2021, equating to over 1.2 million people; and thanks volunteers for their vital role in supporting people in need during the covid-19 pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis.

1207Horse Hill oil field

Tabled: 23/05/23 Signatories: 1

Ed Davey

That this House is deeply concerned about the Horse Hill oil field near Dunsfold; notes the damaging impact this development will have on the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); recognises the work that local people are doing to campaign against this development; calls on the Government to suspend the licence for the site; and further calls on the Government to immediately rescind all oil and gas licences inside or close to AONBs and national parks, and agree to not issue any new licences inside or close to AONBs and national parks.

1208Williamwood High School and the Eco Green Flag award

Tabled: 23/05/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House congratulates Williamwood High School on achieving an Eco Green Flag award for their intensive efforts to improve the school’s local environment; notes that over 40 projects were carried out by students and staff over a difficult two-year period which coincided with the covid-19 pandemic; further notes that the school’s Eco Committee played an important role in the drive to achieve the Eco Green Flag award; understands that the Eco Committee produced an environmental pledge which held all pupils and staff responsible for the school environment and encouraged active travel and the use of public transport as an alternative to travel by car; highlights that an environmental review conducted in 2020 set out three major stands of work, including global citizenship which involved donating used clothing to refugee charities, health and wellbeing, which focused on increasing cycling rates, and litter, which involved the introduction of reusable plastic plates and water bottles; and wishes all the pupils and staff at Williamwood High School well as they continue their important environmental work.

1209Larkhall Thistle Football Club

Tabled: 23/05/23 Signatories: 1

Angela Crawley

That this House congratulates Larkhall Thistle Football Club on securing promotion to the West of Scotland Football League Second Division; commends the players, staff and manager Brian Crawford on this fantastic achievement after a hard fought season; acknowledges that The Jags are the oldest continuous junior football club in Scotland, having been founded in 1878; recognises the contribution that the club, based at Gasworks Park in Larkhall, makes to the wider community, including the larky pie provided by local baker Alan Johnston and enjoyed by many on match days; and wishes the club well for the forthcoming season.

1210Durham Pride 2023

Tabled: 23/05/23 Signatories: 1

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House celebrates the success of Durham Pride 2023, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary; congratulates Mel Metcalf and the organising committee of Durham Pride for their hard work and dedication to inclusion and diversity in the North East; praises the work of the team throughout the weekend which enabled people from across the region to celebrate and come together; recognises that Pride is as much a protest as it is a celebration; remembers and appreciates those who have campaigned tirelessly for LGBTQ+ equality; and looks forward to the gathering of Pride in Durham in 2024.

1211Promotion of Airdrieonians Football Club

Tabled: 23/05/23 Signatories: 1

Ms Anum Qaisar

That this House recognises Airdrieonians Football Club men’s team for their efforts in securing promotion to the Scottish Championship; congratulates the players on their hard work on and off the pitch; commends manager Rhys McCabe for guiding the team to success; acknowledges the important role of the club in supporting the local community; and wishes them every success for the 2023-24 season.

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.

115575th anniversary of the Nakba

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 19

Layla Moran [R]

Patrick Grady

Caroline Lucas

Jamie Stone

Julie Elliott

Munira Wilson

That this House notes that Monday 15 May 2023 marks 75 years since 750,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from Palestine in what is now known as the Nakba; notes that there are now over five and a half million Palestinian refugees worldwide and supports these refugees' rights in line with international law; affirms the need for the Government to continue to fund UNRWA' which carries out important work with and for Palestinian refugees; further recalls the 800,000 Jews who fled or were expelled from Arab states from 1948 onwards; further notes the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli authorities; calls on the Government to immediately recognise an independent Palestinian state which will help breathe new life into the peace process; and urges the Government to continue to pursue a two-state solution and a lasting peace in the region.

1159Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 12

Wayne David

Rosie Duffield [R]

Jonathan Edwards

Christina Rees

Caroline Lucas

Sir Mike Penning

This House is concerned at the increasing number of dog attacks and is alarmed that 13 people have been killed as a result of a dog attack since the start of 2022 and more have been seriously injured; notes that the cost to the NHS of dog bites has been calculated at £777 million per year; recognises that an approach based on breed specific legislation has failed and that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is woefully ineffective; looks forward to the publication of recommendations by the Government’s Responsible Dog Ownership working group and calls for this to take place before the summer recess; and further calls on the Government to introduce new legislation covering all aspects of the control of dangerous dogs that protects the public, promotes responsible dog ownership and improves animal welfare.

1164University and College Union marking boycott

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 25

Zarah Sultana

Apsana Begum

Kim Johnson

Cat Smith

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Burgon

That this House notes that workers in higher education have endured over a decade of pay cuts, rising workloads, equality pay gaps and rampant casualisation; supports the recent industrial action that members of the University and College Union were forced to take in defence of pay and pensions; condemns plans by some vice chancellors, as instructed by the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association, to dock up to 100 per cent pay of staff that are working full-time but taking part in a legal marking boycott; calls on the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association to address the concerns of university workers, withdraw the instruction to vice chancellors to implement punitive pay deductions; and further calls on the Government to demand employers resolve the dispute.

1169Potential merits of new legislation on mandatory corporate due diligence

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 32

Tony Lloyd

Caroline Lucas

Ben Lake

Alison Thewliss

Wera Hobhouse

Sammy Wilson

This House welcomes the campaign for a new UK mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence law in connection with supply chains; notes that more than 100,000 people in the UK have signed a petition asking the Government to hold business, finance and the public sector to account when they fail to prevent supply chain human rights abuses and environmental harms; notes also that businesses and investors have backed such legislation to level the playing field, and that similar laws are being introduced in other countries; and calls on the Government to adopt such a law as soon as possible.

1181Extrajudicial executions in Iran (No. 2)

Tabled: 17/05/23 Signatories: 14

John McDonnell

Mary Kelly Foy

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Liz Saville Roberts

This House is deeply concerned by the extrajudicial executions of Shademan Ahmadi, Atefeh Naami, Emad Heidari Nokish, Esmail Dezvar,Saman Ghaderpor, Matin Nasri, Samira Ebrahimi, Sarina Shiri, Mohamad Abdullahi, Esmail Dazvar, Mohamad Abdullahi, Ali Bani Asad by the Iranian state; sends condolences to the family and friends of the victims; condemns the actions of the Iranian regime in perpetrating these crimes; and urges the Government to call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to stop executing protestors and to stop violating women's and other citizen's rights and freedoms.

1182International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus

Tabled: 17/05/23 Signatories: 14

Tony Lloyd

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House notes the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus on 21 May designated by the Viasna Human Rights Centre and further promoted by the Office of the National Leader of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; highlights that 21 May was chosen in memory of Vitold Ashurak, a political activist who died in a penal colony in Belarus on 21 May 2021; is aware that Viasna has now recognised nearly 1500 people as political prisoners in Belarus and has documented a daily average of 17 detentions; highlights the case of the founder of Viasna, Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, himself now a political prisoner sentenced to a 10 year term; further highlights the case of journalist Raman Pratasevich, detained in 2021 after his flight from Athens to Vilnius was forced to land by the Belarusian authorities and sentenced to 8 years in prison; condemns the death in a penal colony on 7 May of Mikalai Klimovich, jailed for posting an online caricature of dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka; expresses concern about the welfare of former presidential contender Viktar Babaryka, hospitalised in April after reportedly being beaten in prison; highlights several politically-motivated trials that are still ongoing, including that of Yana Pinchuk, whose trial began on 10 April and about which there has been no information since; and calls on the Lukashenka regime to release all political prisoners, respect human rights, and enable a transition to democracy.

1186Conduct of the Rt hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip and legal funding

Tabled: 18/05/23 Signatories: 20

Karl Turner

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Mary Kelly Foy

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

That this House expresses deep concern over the decision to make taxpayers fund the legal bill of the Rt hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip for advice and assistance on the inquiry by the Committee on Privileges into the allegations that the Rt hon. Member misled the House in relation to social gatherings held in Downing Street during the covid-19 national lockdown; notes that the Treasury did not sign off this funding; considers that it is unacceptable that taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill, not least given that the Rt hon. Member has earned a reported £5 million since he stepped down as Prime Minister; also believes that it is particularly troubling that any other individual requiring legal advice and assistance through legal aid would not be eligible if their gross annual income exceeded £12,475; regrets that the legal bill has now passed £245,000; notes that this is a significant cost to the taxpayer; further considers that it is inappropriate for public funds to be used in this manner, not least during a cost of living crisis in which most families are struggling to manage; unequivocally condemns the Rt hon. Member’s decision to request taxpayer funding for his legal bill; calls on the Government to ensure that taxpayers’ money is not used in the future for such purposes; and urges the Rt hon. Member to pay his own legal fees and not to rely on the British taxpayer to foot the bill.

11902023 Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council Awards

Tabled: 18/05/23 Signatories: 3

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Patricia Gibson

That this House celebrates each of the winners at the 2023 Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council Awards: Burgh Primary School, Stonelaw High School, Cambuslang and Stonelaw Under 14s Rugby Club, Abbie Fountain, Sophia Martin, Katy Baird, Kai Hunter, Craig Burnett and Billy Hepburn; commends the commitment, hard work and talent displayed by each of the award recipients; acknowledges the important role sport plays in young people’s development; and thanks the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council for their work in recognising sporting ability in the community.

1192J&H Cairns

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 2

Angela Crawley

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates J&H Cairns of Law following their success at the Scottish Craft Butcher Make it with Haggis Awards 2023; recognises the hard work of Jim and his staff in developing award winning recipes for their Balmoral Pie, Rodeo Burger and Chicken Balmoral; celebrates J&H’s offering of craft products as well as the welcoming atmosphere of the family butchers; understands that the business was established by Jim and his father Henry in 1984 and has gone from strength to strength over the last 39 years; and further congratulates J&H Cairns for their success at the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards earlier this year.

1193Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 6

Amy Callaghan

Rachael Maskell

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in May 2023; recognises the VAT burn campaign by the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire to make sunscreen more affordable for all; notes that 16,744 cases of melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, with 2,341 deaths resulting from these diagnoses, as well as a further 156,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer; and further notes that 90 per cent of melanoma diagnoses would have been preventable with adequate sun protection.

1194Prestwick Academy Girls Tennis Team, 2023 Tennis Scotland Team of the Year

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 10

Dr Philippa Whitford

Allan Dorans

Patricia Gibson

Alan Brown

Gavin Newlands

Hannah Bardell

That this House congratulates S4 players Olivia Kidd, Natasha Morrison, Abigail Taylor and Georgia Sanger, of the Prestwick Academy Girls Tennis Team, on their incredible achievement in winning Tennis Scotland’s 2023 Team of the Year Award after success in every round of the Scottish Schools Competition led to them finishing as runners up in the Scottish Schools First Division, and qualifying for the Lawn Tennis Association National Finals in Nottingham in July 2022; further congratulates the team’s coaches, Nicole Clarke and Gillian McIlroy, along with Elaine Grierson, for her organisational work, and the girls’ parents, for their support in transporting them to tennis matches across the country; and applauds that, despite facing exams, the girls have continued to demonstrate dedication, team-work and enthusiasm for both their studies and their sport, and have been excellent role models within the school, with their success encouraging other pupils to participate in sport and physical activity.

1195Golden Friendships and the Scottish Charity Awards

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 3

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Golden Friendships on its nomination for the Community Action award at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Scottish Charity Awards, to be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday 23 June 2023; notes the vital work of Golden Friendships in helping to alleviate social exclusion for all groups of people by organising entertainment and other activities; celebrates the achievements of all 32 finalists in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards; recognises the hard work of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations in organising and hosting the Scottish Charity Awards annually; and thanks Golden Friendships and all nominated voluntary organisations and individuals for the crucial work that they do in communities across the country.

1196Wee Play Place, Alexandria and the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2023

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 3

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Wee Play Place, Alexandria on being awarded the Children’s Play Centre of the Year at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2023; understands that this is the second year in a row that the Wee Play Place has had success, having been awarded Best Entertaining Team at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2022; believes that this success is down to the hard work and dedication of the small team that work in the Wee Play Place who provide such a welcoming and safe environment, whilst supporting the families from the local community and beyond who visit the venue; further believes that the value of children's play centres in nurturing the development of young children through social interaction is of the utmost importance; and wishes everyone involved in the Wee Play Place the very best for the future.

1197Karen Kelly and Lanark ASC

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 2

Angela Crawley

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Lanark Amateur Swimming Club head coach Karen Kelly on her 50th anniversary with the club; notes that Karen joined Lanark ASC as a swimmer aged 10 in 1973 before starting as a poolside helper and progressing from coach to head coach; praises her for her extraordinary work as a volunteer who has coached more than 40 district champions, 15 Scottish junior champions, 12 Scottish schools champions and two Deaflympic athletes earning her multiple awards including Clydesdale Sports Council Coach of the Year and Scottish Amateur Swimming Association coach volunteer of the year; recognises that Karen’s commitment and sacrifice as a coach has provided countless swimmers the opportunity to reach their potential and compete at the highest level; commends her for her inspiration, encouragement and support for the club’s swimmers; and thanks Karen for her everything she has done for the club.

1198Proposed withdrawal of day travelcards

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 11

John McDonnell

Apsana Begum

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Jeremy Corbyn

Ian Mearns

Grahame Morris

That this House notes that the Mayor of London is considering withdrawing Day Travelcards from sale; further notes that the change is proposed to assist in generating additional income; is mindful that that the likely impact of the withdrawal is to make travel more expensive for passengers who currently purchase Day Travelcards; recognises that National Railcard discounts can be used on Day Travelcards and that these discounts are not available via contactless payment on the London transport network; further recognises that a recent report by London Travelwatch on digital exclusion found that already one in six people in London say they are unable to buy a ticket as they do not have access to a smartphone or the internet; is concerned that further restricting fares available to purchase as tickets risks exacerbating digital exclusion; believes that scrapping Day Travelcards could disincentivise travel into and around London on public transport and encourage car use as an alternative; understands that the terms of Transport for London’s current funding agreement with the Government require it to generate additional revenue; further understands that TfL has forecast a £75m surplus on its budget this year and passenger numbers are rising faster than forecast; therefore calls on TfL and the Mayor of London to retract proposals to withdraw Day Travelcards; and calls on the Government to enable a fair funding arrangement for London’s public transport system.

1199Clwb Rygbi Llanymddyfri, Y Porthmyn (Llandovery Rugby Club)

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 2

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Clwb Rygbi Llanymddyfri, Llandovery RFC, on winning the Indigo Premiership Rugby Championship with a victory of 24-8 against reigning champions Cardiff RFC at the world-famous Arms Park in the capital; congratulates the team, coaches and committee for their remarkable achievement on becoming the Champions of Wales; thanks the Club for bringing joy to followers of the great game of Rugby Union throughout Carmarthenshire and beyond; and recalls the Clubs rallying cry, Ymlaen y Porthmyn, er gwaethaf pawb a phopeth - ni Yma o Hyd, which means, forward the Drovers, despite everything we are still here.

1200Blasphemy laws in Nigeria

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Carla Lockhart

Martyn Day

Fiona Bruce

Ms Marie Rimmer

That this House condemns the blasphemy laws in Nigeria that have caused individuals with minority beliefs to receive long prison sentences or extreme mob violence; urges President Buhari to pardon those facing the death penalty for alleged blasphemous expressions before he leaves office, including Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, whose case is currently before the Supreme Court; and extends its full support to Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a 22 year old singer at risk of execution for circulating a song via WhatsApp considered blasphemous.

1201Impact on patients of NHS practices in absorbent continence product purchasing

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes that the current approach by the NHS to the purchasing of absorbent continence products adversely impacts upon patients' safety, quality of life and health outcomes, including avoidable hospital admissions, urinary tract infections, skin conditions, pressure ulcers and overall health and wellbeing; considers that the current focus on unit price, rather than value and assessment of the most clinically appropriate product for a patient, leads to avoidable increases in the number of items used, the cost of laundering clothes and bedding, staff time and avoidable harm to staff and patients, and so to substantial overall increases in the financial cost to the system; and encourages His Majesty's Government to deliver on its commitment to reducing unwarranted variation of care and delivering value based procurement and urgently to review the priorities of and incentives for purchasing managers to ensure that patients access the most clinically appropriate product for them, so improving patient outcomes and quality of life, whilst also reducing avoidable cost to the system.

120270th anniversary of St Patrick's in Millisle

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the 70th anniversary of St. Patrick’s, Millisle which was built in 1953 as a daughter church of Donaghadee Parish; notes the history of the church, which saw it become the responsibility of the rector at Carrowdore in the 1960s, and so the grouped parishes of Christ Church, Carrowdore and St. Patrick’s, Millisle, were formed; further highlights the very close connections with its community and village and its strong desire and willingness to be God’s kingdom there, along with the other denominations; and prays for God's richest blessing upon the parish as they continue to show the love of God in word and deed within their community.

1203Government of Wales (Devolved Powers) Bill

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 4

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Jonathan Edwards

That this House congratulates Lord Wigley on his Government of Wales (Devolved Powers) Bill passing its third reading in the House of Lords; notes that the private member’s bill would prevent any change or reduction in the Senedd’s powers without the support of a super majority of two-thirds of its members, and would formalise relationships of respect between the Welsh and UK Governments; is increasingly concerned that the powers of the Senedd have been undermined by the actions of the UK Government since the Brexit vote; highlights a recent report by the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales that the status quo or unwinding devolution were neither reliable nor sustainable bases for the future governance of Wales; maintains that self-government is the settled will of the people of Wales following successive referendums in 1997 and 2011; argues that all Members, in Westminster and in Cardiff Bay, should do all they can to ensure its stability and a transparency of its powers; and calls on the UK Government to support the Bill and give it the time it needs to pass through Parliament.

120410th anniversary of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 6

Mr Gregory Campbell

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Carla Lockhart

Scott Benton

That this House notes that 22 May 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby; remembers his family and friends at a time when they will be reminded of the horrific nature of Lee's murder; assures them that Lee will not be forgotten; recognises and values the courage and bravery of those who have served in our Armed Forces, whether on duty or off duty; and expresses the hope that communities across the United Kingdom will remain vigilant and do what they can to support those dealing with radicalism that can cause such sickening barbarity as was evident on that fateful day in May 2013.

1205RV Explorer and Scottish Government work on marine conservation

Tabled: 22/05/23 Signatories: 2

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), in partnership with Arran Outdoor Education Centre, on the official launch of the RV Arran Coast Explorer, with the formalities undertaken by Màiri McAllan MSP, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition; is aware that this multifunction vessel will help deliver a range of restoration, research and education projects; welcomes the RV Explorer as a vital resource to COAST in facilitating the advancement of marine scientific research in collaboration with leading universities as well as allowing the monitoring of the recovery of the waters around the Isle of Arran and surrounding areas; understands that the vessel will prove invaluable in enabling COAST to develop its research into the recovery of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone, which recently celebrated its 14th birthday, the South Arran Marine Protected Area and the wider Clyde region; shares COAST’s view that the arrival of the new vessel will allow the island to realise the full potential of Arran’s marine conservation areas and raise the profile of Arran as a destination for marine environmental education, knowledge exchange and eco-tourism; and applauds the SNP Scottish Government Nature Restore Fund in its support for COAST in procuring this vessel, facilitated by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund, managed by NatureScot, further highlighting the SNP Government’s commitment to marine conservation on Arran, which it designated as Scotland’s first No Take Zone in 2008 to protect key habitats and species and enhance biodiversity.