Contents

Published: Thursday 6 July 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 5 July 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

1417Attacks by dogs on postal workers

Tabled: 5/07/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the rise in attacks by dogs on postal workers throughout the UK and especially in Northern Ireland, where the Royal Mail has stated that the 12 per cent rise in incidents in Northern Ireland is extremely worrying and that there were 1,916 dog attacks on postal workers logged during the year to 31 March 2023; highlights that some postal workers suffered serious injuries; notes that these figures were released at the start of the annual dog awareness week as officials urge owners to take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to postal workers through responsible dog ownership due to the fact that dog attacks on postal workers resulted in more than 3,014 days of absence last year; and urges owners to be mindful of the duties of those who deliver post so we can do all we can to reduce attacks on postal workers.

1418Future of railway ticket offices

Tabled: 5/07/23 Signatories: 1

Claudia Webbe

That this House notes with concern the planned mass closure of rail ticket offices, leaving many of the over 1000 train stations unstaffed; recognises that railway ticket office staff are a vital resource for many passengers who might struggle to manage online booking processes and for the security of children, women, disabled and other vulnerable passengers on the rail network; further notes that station staff including ticket office staff are essential to the smooth running of the rail network; agrees with the Royal National Institute for the Blind that the closures would be hugely detrimental to the blind and partially sighted; notes that the future of ticket offices is a key item in the ongoing rail worker dispute; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to reject The Rail Delivery Group’s proposals in full.

1419Sky lanterns and balloon releases

Tabled: 5/07/23 Signatories: 1

Mohammad Yasin

That this House is concerned about the potential environmental impact of sky lantern and balloon releases, particularly in relation to marine wildlife such as dolphins, whales, turtles and seabirds; notes the particular fire hazard associated with sky lanterns and recognises the important work of the Marine Conservation Society in campaigning for a ban on sky lantern and balloon releases; further notes those local authorities which have implemented a regional ban and calls upon the UK Government to ban sky lanterns and balloon releases.

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.

1359Windrush 75th anniversary and pensions

Tabled: 21/06/23 Signatories: 9

Claudia Webbe

Jeremy Corbyn

Caroline Lucas

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House welcomes the 75th anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush at Tilbury Dock on 22 June 1948; recognises the arrival of the Windrush Generation from 1948 to 1971 is a key moment in British history; celebrates the contribution of the Windrush Generation and the Caribbean community more generally, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude in helping to reshape, build and transform Britain for the better; notes the conclusion of a leaked Home Office report that the origins of the Windrush scandal lay in three decades of racist immigration legislation designed to reduce the UK’s non-white population; notes with concern thousands of Windrush Generation pensioners living abroad had their pensions frozen at the lowest value, which can be less than half of the old Basic State Pension of £156.20, applicable to those who’ve reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 and only a third of the new State Pension of £203.85; further notes that these are not uprated when UK pensions are increased annually for the more than half a million British pensioners living overseas, despite the Government’s estimated cost to do so being 0.3 per cent of the annual pensions budget; believes the freezing of pensions is unjust, unfair, discriminatory and reflects a betrayal of the Windrush Generation; and calls on the Government to ensure that all pensioners living abroad, many of whom have made lifelong payments to their state pensions, should receive the same annual increases as pensioners living in the UK.

1360Banking hubs

Tabled: 21/06/23 Signatories: 16

Sarah Green

Wendy Chamberlain

Wera Hobhouse

Helen Morgan

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

That this House recognises the need to maintain access to in-person banking services; notes that banking hubs offer an important alternative to traditional high street banks but that the rollout of such services is not happening quickly enough; further notes that this disproportionally affects the vulnerable and older populations who are increasingly becoming excluded from their local economies as long-distance travel for cash or the use of digital monies is unviable; believes that banks should take all reasonable steps to increase the pace of the rollout of banking hubs; and calls on the Government to legislate to allow the Financial Conduct Authority to require the establishment of a banking hub.

1362Young Lives vs Cancer report

Tabled: 21/06/23 Signatories: 22

Sir George Howarth

Charlotte Nichols

Jonathan Edwards

Rebecca Long Bailey

Amy Callaghan

Ian Lavery

That this House notes the Young Lives vs Cancer report entitled Running on Empty which explores the costs that young cancer patients and their families face when travelling for treatment; expresses concern at the finding in the report that it costs young cancer patients and their families on average £250 per month and, depending on their location, can be far higher in some cases; expresses strong concern that, consequently, 27 per cent are having to cut back on food, 20 per cent are falling behind in paying bills, 20 per cent are having to sell their possessions, 10 per cent are having to delay or miss treatment and, in some cases, are having to give up their homes as they are unable to meet housing costs; further notes the report's conclusion that the current support available is inadequate with only 12 per cent of families receiving any support to cover travel costs; draws attention to the report's conclusion that, cumulatively, this can have significant negative impacts on young cancer patients and their families' financial security, health and well-being and future prosperity, leaving them running on empty; and supports Young Lives vs Cancer's call for the establishment of a Government-funded young cancer patient travel fund to address this unfairness.

1365Save the Children's report on the cost of raising a family in 2023

Tabled: 26/06/23 Signatories: 3

David Linden

Caroline Lucas

John McDonnell

That this House commends the recent report by Save the Children entitled Just barely surviving: The cost of raising a family in 2023, which documents how the cost-of-living crisis and increasing inflation combined with the inadequate social security system is plunging families with children into poverty and hardship; highlights the report’s findings that a single parent with one child would on average need to spend an additional £3,100 in 2023-24 to get the same basket of goods and services that they would have bought in 2019-20 and that this rises to almost £5,600 or over £100 per week for a couple with three children; agrees with the report’s recommendations that include implementing a child poverty strategy, abolishing the two child limit, scrapping the benefit cap and ensuring that any future cost-of-living payments vary by family size; and urges the Government to consider the findings and recommendations of the report.

1369Apprentices and the Living Wage

Tabled: 26/06/23 Signatories: 7

Sir George Howarth

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Chris Stephens

Caroline Lucas

Ian Lavery

That this House recognises the challenges faced by apprentices, especially at this time of high inflation and a cost of living crisis, notes that four out of five apprentices surveyed by the NUS required additional assistance to cover their living expenses, often resorting to credit cards or personal savings due to their low wages, notes that 64 per cent of apprentices said that their wage did not cover the cost of their energy bills and 59 per cent said it did not comfortably cover their cost of living, further notes that Workpays, a prominent training provider, states that low pay is deterring potential candidates from pursuing apprenticeships, recognises The Withers review which states that low wages are reducing the attractiveness of apprenticeships; further recognises that analysis by FE Week of the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship website revealed that 50 per cent of intermediate level apprenticeships were advertised at the then legal minimum wage of £4.81 per hour; and calls on the Government to support the recommendation of the NUS, the National Society of Apprentices, the TUC and the Government’s own Social Mobility Commission, that apprentices should be paid the Real Living Wage.

137125 Years of Amina Muslim Women's Resource Centre

Tabled: 26/06/23 Signatories: 7

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Apsana Begum

Chris Stephens

Mohammad Yasin

Allan Dorans

That this House acknowledges the 25th anniversary of the founding of Amina, the Muslim Women's Resource Centre (MWRC), which works to empower Muslim and BAME women across Scotland; acknowledges that to this day, BAME and Muslim women remain one of the most disadvantaged groups in the UK with poor access to health, housing and financial support, high rates of unemployment, and discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity and religion; welcomes Amina MWRC's longstanding commitment to tackling these issues via domestic abuse advocacy, financial advice, the Amina Hardship Fund, employability and language training, and device loaning services; notes Amina MWRC is widely recognised as the chief national hub for consultation with Muslim and BAME women across Scotland; congratulates Amina MWRC on this momentous occasion; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.

1373Hosepipe bans

Tabled: 26/06/23 Signatories: 5

Tim Farron

Jim Shannon

Richard Foord

Wendy Chamberlain

John McDonnell

That this House notes with concern the impact of hosepipe bans on households already struggling with the cost of living; further notes that households should not have to pay in full for a service they are only receiving in part; regrets that water companies have paid out large bonuses instead of investing in fixing water infrastructure; and calls on the Government to ensure water companies discount water bills after imposing their hosepipe bans and invest in fixing leaks to prevent the unnecessary loss of water.

1377Caernarfon Pride

Tabled: 27/06/23 Signatories: 7

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House celebrates the success of the first ever Caernarfon Pride, held on 24 June 2023; congratulates Balchder Gogledd Cymru, North Wales Pride for organising the event and for their hard work and dedication to inclusion and diversity in north Wales; praises the work of those involved in officiating the parade and associated celebrations which enabled people from across the region to celebrate and come together; thanks local businesses for their show of support and unity; further notes that although significant progress has been made to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, there are still improvements to be made to support the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights; and looks forward to future Pride gatherings in Caernarfon in years to come.

1381Northern Ireland Alcohol Awareness Week

Tabled: 27/06/23 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Jonathan Edwards

Tim Farron

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

John McDonnell

That this House notes the conclusion of Northern Ireland Alcohol Awareness Week; highlights the campaign run by the Public Health Agency to outline support services that are available for individuals who misuse alcohol; further highlights the health problems associated with binge drinking; urges the general public to be aware of how much and how often they are using alcohol; and reminds those who are concerned they may have a problem with alcohol misuse to understand that they are not alone and there is help available.

1383Nuclear test veterans

Tabled: 27/06/23 Signatories: 32

Owen Thompson

Carol Monaghan

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Angela Crawley

Rebecca Long Bailey

Kim Johnson

That this House acknowledges the treatment of nuclear test veterans in Scotland and the rest of the UK; notes their continuing battle for justice and recognition for their role; further notes with disappointment the latest delay to the issuing of a medal to these veterans; further acknowledges their ongoing anger and frustration; affirms the nation’s duty of care to this group of people; further applauds the works of Labrats International, a campaigning group for descendants of atomic testing programs across the world; and backs calls to the Government to fully support these veterans and their families.

1384Indigenous peoples in Brazil

Tabled: 27/06/23 Signatories: 13

Tony Lloyd

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House is concerned about reports that Bill PL 2903, formerly Bill PL490, in Brazil could, inter alia, invalidate indigenous peoples’ claims to their ancestral lands and result in their forced displacement and the obliteration of their communities; notes this proposed legislation is expected to allow for mining, logging, ranching, and agribusiness, and the continuation of such activities now being carried out illegally, on these lands; further notes this Bill is strongly backed by relevant commercial lobbies and opposed by indigenous peoples and their international allies; supports Brazil’s hosting of COP 30 in 2025; encourages both at the conference and more generally President Lula da Silva’s Government to build on steps already taken to engage and collaborate with indigenous communities, widely regarded as the most effective guardians of the Amazon rainforests; and calls on the UK Government to continue working with civil society organisations, among others, to bolster Brazil’s efforts in protecting indigenous peoples, including uncontacted tribes who are deemed to be especially vulnerable, and their territories.

138525th anniversary of the Drumcree dispute

Tabled: 28/06/23 Signatories: 4

Carla Lockhart

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

That this House notes that Sunday 2 July 2023 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Drumcree parading dispute in Portadown; regrets that the Parades Commission continues to deny the brethren of Portadown District LOL 1 their right to return home from an act of worship via their traditional route; expresses dismay that despite the willingness of Portadown District to engage in direct or indirect dialogue with residents to find compromise to end the dispute, this has been rejected by the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition; and calls on the Government to assess whether the Parades Commission is fulfilling its duties under the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 to promote and facilitate mediation as a means of resolving disputes concerning public processions in relation to this parade.

1386Television and Radio Industries Club awards 2023

Tabled: 28/06/23 Signatories: 4

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Paul Girvan

That this House notes the recent Television and Radio Industries Club awards ceremony; recognises the changes made by the organisers in the way winning individuals and programmes were chosen this year; and expresses the hope that irrespective of the opinions of many in the news industry regarding some of those who won on this occasion, that widening the voting base of those deciding the winners to include thousands of people who actually watch and listen to the programmes should become the norm.

1387Basque peace process and policy on prisoner dispersal

Tabled: 28/06/23 Signatories: 13

Sir George Howarth

Jim Shannon

Caroline Lucas

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Kenny MacAskill

Neale Hanvey

That this House welcomes news of the end of the policy of prisoner dispersal applied to Basque politically motivated prisoners for over 30 years and that the remaining 156 prisoners are now held in jails in the Basque country; agrees that this is a positive step towards a lasting and just peace in the Basque country, Spain, France and Western Europe as a whole; finds this news particularly topical in the context of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement and the successful peace-building measures it enabled, such as the prisoner release scheme; notes that peace efforts in the Basque country and elsewhere have taken inspiration from the latter; commends the efforts of the many people, organisations and institutions who have worked over the years to achieve peace in the Basque country; calls for outstanding issues to be addressed in a positive and comprehensive manner, including the ongoing application of standard penitentiary law to remaining prisoners; commits to follow events in the Basque country and to work so that peace takes firm root and the events of the past never happen again; and urges the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to encourage such efforts.

1388Graeme Johnston, Scotland's Youth Worker of 2023

Tabled: 28/06/23 Signatories: 4

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Tim Farron

That this House congratulates Graeme Johnston on receiving the prestigious title of Scotland’s Youth Worker of the Year 2023; acknowledges that this recognition builds on Graeme’s previous accolade of Youth Worker of the Year in 2017; understands that the Youth Worker of the Year Awards recognises a youth worker with a passion and dedication to improving the lives of young people through youth work; notes that since Graeme started working with Arran Youth Foundations (AYF) in 2011, he has transformed AYF from a poorly attended youth work project into an award-winning organisation, which provides a range of opportunities for young people on the Isle of Arran; further notes that AYF has achieved exceptional participation levels under Graeme’s leadership, engaging over 200 young people from a school population of fewer than 230; recognises the important role played by Graeme and all the volunteers at AYF in addressing social isolation, exclusion, lack of opportunity and substance abuse in young people by organising counselling and therapy sessions, making referrals to addiction workers and arranging weekly drop-in sessions as well as a summer programme for youths; commends the hard work and dedication of Graeme in enhancing young people’s social, emotional and physical well-being and supporting them to attain, achieve and contribute effectively in their communities while also raising a young family of his own on the mainland; and applauds his commitment, impact and leadership as a youth worker on the Isle of Arran.

1391Craigavon Senior High School rugby team

Tabled: 28/06/23 Signatories: 3

Carla Lockhart

Jim Shannon

Tim Farron

That this House extends congratulations to Craigavon Senior High School Rugby Team on winning both the High Schools Cup and the Pollock Cup; expresses delight at this achievement and best wishes to all the players and coaching staff; and wishes the school ongoing sporting success in the future.

1392Father Paul Lee

Tabled: 28/06/23 Signatories: 4

Peter Grant [R]

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Tim Farron

That this House congratulates Father Paul Lee of St Agatha’s RC Church in Methil and St Giles’ RC Church in Kennoway on the 10th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood; notes that shortly after his ordination he accepted the responsibility of being the sole priest covering these two geographically large church communities and that he was subsequently given the formal role of parish priest; thanks Father Paul for the energy and dedication with which he has served both the spiritual and corporeal needs of the people of Levenmouth and beyond; and wishes him many more years of devoted and fulfilling service.

1399Working conditions of rail workers employed by Carlisle Support Services

Tabled: 29/06/23 Signatories: 12

Cat Smith

Ian Mearns

Grahame Morris

Kate Hollern

Charlotte Nichols

Mick Whitley

That this House pays tribute to the important public-facing work of outsourced Revenue and Gateline staff employed by Carlisle Support Services on Northern Trains stations; notes with concern that these staff are enduring a rising tide of passenger violence, including cases of serious assault; is dismayed that these keyworkers are employed on exploitative annualised hours contracts that guarantee them only a small proportion of their rostered hours, leaving them in perpetual fear of losing hours of work if they raise issues in their workplace; is shocked to learn that despite working alongside Gateline staff directly employed by Northern Trains Ltd, Carlisle Support Services staff have vastly inferior contracts, pay rates and conditions; believes that Carlisle Support Services workers should have proper employment contracts that reflect their normal rostered hours as well as sick pay and travel facilities equivalent to Northern Trains staff; calls on Carlisle to negotiate improved pay and conditions with the RMT without delay and further calls on Northern Trains to bring these workers in-house when the contract ends and employ them directly..

1400Age discrimination

Tabled: 29/06/23 Signatories: 7

Tim Farron

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

John McDonnell

That this House recognises ageism as a form of discrimination that has no place in a modern society; notes that the exclusion of skilled older people from the workforce is a blight on the economy and deprives the workforce of both highly-skilled and experienced workers; further notes that research by workingwise.co.uk found that two-fifths of older workers have experienced age discrimination at work and that 84 per cent said that it was harder to get shortlisted for jobs because of their age; urges age to be upheld just as firmly as any other protected characteristic; recognises that ill health is also a major barrier to older people joining the workforce; and believes that fixing the NHS social care crisis would be a key way to unlock the potential of the older workforce.

1401Support for DHL workers taking strike action on Avanti West Coast

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 14

Kim Johnson

Ian Mearns

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Jonathan Edwards

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House supports rail workers providing catering stores to Avanti West Coast, who are taking strike action in support of their campaign for a fair pay offer from their employer DHL; notes that RPI inflation stands at 11.3 per cent, that interest rates are at 5 per cent and that these workers, like other workers in Britain, are facing a cost-of-living crisis; further notes that these workers have been refused a pay rise this year in spite of the cost-of-living crisis and despite their employer paying out £1.7 billion in dividends to its shareholder and Avanti, which controls the contract, paying out £13.5 million to its FirstGroup parent company last year; is dismayed that these companies are putting the interests of their shareholders over their workers; and calls on the companies involved to settle this dispute by making a pay offer to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

1402Father Jim Morris

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 6

Steven Bonnar

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Father Jim Morris, Parish Priest of St Gabriel’s Viewpark, on the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood; notes that he was ordained on 29 June 1973 in St Edward’s Airdrie and that he served as an Assistant Priest in St Bride’s East Kilbride, St Ignatius’ Wishaw and St Columba’s Viewpark, and finally at St Gabriel’s since 1992; thanks him for his commitment, services and friendship to the community and to his Parish; and wishes him all the very best for the future.

1403Miscarriage Association pregnancy loss pledge

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 9

Angela Crawley

Mary Kelly Foy

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Carla Lockhart

That this House commends the progress of the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge; congratulates them on reaching the milestone of 600,000 employees being covered by the pledge, including staff of 11 Scottish Councils and large organisations such as TSB, The Co-op and The Princes Trust; appreciates the positive impact that this will have for thousands of employees who are tragically affected by pregnancy loss; condemns workplace discrimination against people affected by pregnancy loss; recognises that, while many employers wish to support their employees, they often do not have the knowledge or resources to do so; encourages the Government to legislate for paid miscarriage leave to ensure that no one is left behind; and further encourages all hon. Members to sign the pregnancy loss pledge.

140550th anniversary of Haarkapper Hairdressers

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 4

Angela Crawley

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Haarkapper Hairdressers in Larkhall on their 50th anniversary in business; recognises that the salon was established by Margaret Davidson in 1973 and has gone from strength to strength over the last half century; further celebrates the success of this family business which has been run since Margaret’s retirement by her daughter Avril Wilson; remembers Margaret’s late daughter Sandra Cooper who worked in the salon from a young age and ran the business jointly with her sister; commends the dedicated team of staff past and present for all their hard work in providing a quality service to the people of Larkhall; and sends best wishes to everyone at Haarkapper.

1406Visit of the Bahraini Crown Prince to the UK

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 6

Tony Lloyd

Jonathan Edwards

Kenny MacAskill

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

That this House is concerned about the visit by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the UK; highlights the continued detention of an estimated 1,200 political prisoners, including Abdulwahab Hussain, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Sheikh Ali Salman, Hassan Mushaima and Abduljalil Al-Singace; further notes reports of mistreatment and denial of medical treatment of some political prisoners; condemns the wider context of repression in Bahrain; reiterates misgivings about death penalty convictions, some of which may be carried out imminently, further to allegations of coerced confessions and other serious violations of fair trial rights; and calls on the UK Government during meetings with the Crown Prince to press for the release of all political prisoners, an urgent review of the death penalty convictions and the reinstatement of the de facto moratorium on judicial executions, and to ensure that any free trade agreement concluded with the Gulf Cooperation Council includes human rights protections and benchmarks.

1408Actions of the Israeli government in the Occupied Territories

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 7

Colum Eastwood

Jon Trickett

Kenny MacAskill

Caroline Lucas

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

This House condemns the ongoing actions of the Israeli government in the Occupied Territories, including the expansion of settlements, demolitions of Palestinian homes, forced evictions, and discriminatory policies that perpetuate the violation of Palestinian human rights; further condemns the Israeli government's failure to comply with international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions recognising the illegality of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; further acknowledges that these settlements undermine the prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region, creating obstacles to a two-State solution and exacerbating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians; recognises the urgent need for meaningful international action to address the situation; urges the Government to take stronger measures to ensure Israeli compliance with international law, including through economic and diplomatic means; and reiterates support for efforts to engage in meaningful dialogue and negotiations between all parties involved, with the aim of achieving a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

140975th anniversary of the NHS

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 11

Jim Shannon

Sir Mike Penning

Gavin Robinson

Jonathan Edwards

Carla Lockhart

Charlotte Nichols

That this House notes that our NHS will this week reach the 75th anniversary of its creation; highlights that over 1.5 million people are treated daily in the UK; notes that the NHS touches all our lives and is undoubtedly a national treasure; takes this opportunity not simply to look back over the last seven decades but also takes time to say thank you to every doctor, nurse, healthcare assistant, receptionist, consultant, porter, cleaner, cook and every dedicated member of NHS staff who go above and beyond to preserve and protect our health and wellbeing; further notes how patient safety is at the centre of everything the NHS does and salutes how it has been able to adapt with time and learn new ways of medicine; and once again affirms our commitment to adequate funding for the provision of the free healthcare to every British citizen, which is the envy of the world.

1410Prescribing of cannabis medicines by general medical practitioners

Tabled: 3/07/23 Signatories: 5

Crispin Blunt [R]

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Charlotte Nichols

John McDonnell

That this House notes that the Government allowed specialist medical practitioners to be able to prescribe cannabis medicines in 2018, but excluded general medical practitioners, despite their core role in supporting patients in their communities; further notes that, annually, around 20,000 patients obtain private prescriptions for medical cannabis, but just 1,000 have NHS prescriptions and that there are many more who access the illicit market to obtain cannabis for medical reasons; and calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to allow general medical practitioners to have the same medical cannabis prescribing rights as specialist medical practitioners.

141133rd anniversary of the murders of Constables Harry Beckett and Gary Meyer

Tabled: 4/07/23 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

That this House notes the 33rd anniversary of the murder of two policemen in Belfast on 30 June 1990 highlighting that Constable Harry Beckett and Constable Gary Meyer were walking on Queen Street, when two men shot them in the back of the head; further notes the eye-witness statements of bystanders, who are now coming forward to describe the terrifying attack which underlines the soulless barbarity of the vile murderers; conveys continued deepest sympathies to the families of the policemen, who live with the grief of losing their loved one in such a harrowing manner, knowing that nobody was ever convicted of those murders; and further affirms that they will not be forgotten as communities strive to hold those accountable for the murders of good and honourable serving officers to the full force of the law.

1412MPC Energy: Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards prize winner

Tabled: 4/07/23 Signatories: 3

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Clydebank-based MPC Energy on winning the Renewable Heat Installer/Contractor of the Year prize at the Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards; understands that MPC Energy is known as one of the UK’s most trusted installers of home energy efficiency improvements and that it offers insulation, heating and renewable installations with some of the UK’s top manufacturer products; believes that this award is a testament to the hard work of company director Mark Conroy and his staff as the company continues to expand from its humble beginnings to be a leading business in the energy efficiency industry; wishes MPC Energy well for the future; and thanks MPC Energy for its dedicated and invaluable work in offering services to struggling households.

1413Will Wilson photography exhibition

Tabled: 4/07/23 Signatories: 3

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Clydebank photographer Will Wilson on securing an exhibition in Clydebank Museum and Gallery in Clydebank Town Hall to showcase his works; understands that the exhibition will be a mixture of scenic, wildlife and concert photographs ranging over a number of years; believes that this is a fantastic achievement for Will and that patrons will be impressed by what is on show; wishes Will well for the future; and looks forward to seeing his future works.

1414Alcohol treatment services: Public Accounts Committee Report

Tabled: 4/07/23 Signatories: 6

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Claudia Webbe

That this House welcomes the Public Accounts Committee's report on Alcohol treatment services and shares its concerns; is dismayed that the Department for Health and Social Care appears to lack sufficient understanding of the total cost of alcohol harm; suggests that, in establishing its evidence base, the Department should take account of the widely supported Alcohol Charter of 2018 and comprehensive report by the Commission on Alcohol Harm 2020; is alarmed that alcohol-related hospital admissions and alcohol deaths have been rising while access to treatment has been falling and addiction psychiatry has all but disappeared; recognises that treatment services for alcohol dependency show success rates of around 60 per cent and deliver an estimated £3 benefit immediately for every £1 invested; and calls on the Government to respond to the Committee in a timely fashion and to direct the Department for Health and Social Care to enact swiftly the six recommendations in the Report before many more lives are needlessly blighted and lost.

1415Palestinians facing persecution

Tabled: 4/07/23 Signatories: 11

Andy McDonald

Crispin Blunt [R]

Tommy Sheppard

Beth Winter

Mary Kelly Foy

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House recognises that the Palestinian people are under unprecedented attack; notes that the Israeli Government, one of the most right-wing in its history, has launched its biggest military incursion in the West Bank in two decades, is announcing thousands of new illegal settlements on a regular basis, continuing with its expulsions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and Masafer Yatta and its school and home demolitions, and failing to prevent armed settlers from rampaging through Palestinian villages killing, maiming, and attacking Palestinians and destroying homes, mosques, and agricultural lands; is horrified to note that this year in the West Bank alone the Israeli military has killed more than 170 Palestinians, nearly one per day; further notes that the US Administration has publicly criticised the plans for illegal settlement expansion; is dismayed that instead of taking concrete steps to uphold human rights and international law, the British Government seems determined to shield Israel from accountability, as well as companies complicit in its occupation, by legislating to silence those trying to achieve change through peaceful and democratic means; believes that any suggestion that, alone among peoples facing oppression around the world, Palestinians should be singled out and denied the right to appeal to people of conscience for support is not only wrong but runs counter to the UK’s legal obligations and must be rejected; and insists that the ability of public authorities to divest from companies proven to be complicit or responsible for violations of human rights should be defended.

141650th Anniversary of the 1st Llandysul Scout Group

Tabled: 4/07/23 Signatories: 3

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

That this House congratulates the 1st Llandysul Scout Group on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary; notes that the group held its first camp in August 1973 and continues to support young people to realise their potential; acknowledges the work of the late Mr Mike Walden and Dr John Griffiths, who alongside Mr Cyril Thomas and his wife Mrs Rene Thomas established the Scout Group; further acknowledges the contribution of Marion Bryant MBE, who led the group for more than 40 years; recalls that Marion Bryant received her MBE for services to young people and recognises her compassion and dedication as a driving force for all involved in the group today; praises the work of the current group of young people in the local community and thanks them for their contribution; celebrates the fact that during the past 50 years the group has seen its young people represent Wales at the World Jamboree and has supported more than 700 young people and their families; commends the group for taking to heart the words of the late HRH Queen Elizabeth in striving to be a force for good in the world; and sends the group every good wish as they embark on their anniversary events.