Contents

Published: Wednesday 20 September 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 19 September 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

1635Abdullah Ocalan

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Chris Stephens

That this House notes with great concern the continued incarceration in isolation by Turkish authorities of Abdullah Ocalan, the Kurdish political leader held on Imrali Island since 1999; believes that failure to permit family visits and contacts constitutes a gross violation of any prisoner’s basic rights; recognises the deep undiminished attachment that Kurdish people have to Ocalan and the widespread concerns for his welfare; understands that his arrest, trial and detention failed to bring an end to the conflict between the Turkish State and the Kurds, and on the contrary, this only served to accentuate the longstanding problems still unresolved to this day; and calls on the Government to use its good offices to make representations to the Republic of Turkey to end Ocalan’s isolation and initiate a process of peace that will acknowledge Ocalan’s true record of constructive peace proposals and efforts to provide a lasting solution that satisfies the wishes of Kurds and Turks.

1636Diamonds in the Community

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Ms Anum Qaisar

That this House recognises Diamonds in the Community for its work supporting local people and families; congratulates the 112 participants in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2023 on their fundraising efforts; commends Diamonds in the Community for raising more than £1,000 for schools in Namibia; acknowledges its successful undertaking of a number of projects in Namibia; and wishes it every success in its future projects both at home and overseas.

1637100 years of Shakespeare Street Youth Club, Maryhill

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates the Shakespeare Street Youth Club, known as the Shakey, on reaching its 100th anniversary; notes that the club, founded in Maryhill, Glasgow, in 1923, holds the accolade of being the oldest youth club in Scotland; recognises that the Shakey provides a range of activities to improve the lives of children and young adults in Maryhill and the Wyndford area, including regular cooking clubs, well-being sessions and play groups, as well as engaging young people in sports such as football, Tai Chi and Tai Kwando; notes their tireless work to enhance the lived experience of young people through residentials, trips and days out; further notes the wider social contribution the Shakey makes to the local area through fundraising, community events and campaigns; acknowledges the hard work and dedication of all staff, organisers and volunteers who have collectively provided vital support to their community for over a century; and extends gratitude and best wishes for a successful future to the Shakey for many years to come.

1638Industrial action at National World

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 4

Grahame Morris

Chris Stephens

Kate Hollern

Mick Whitley

That this House believes that local journalism holds a unique and invaluable place in our democracy; commends local journalists for ensuring our communities remain well-informed, connected and provided with trustworthy news coverage; stands in solidarity with members of the National Union of Journalists taking industrial action against their employer National World, publisher of over one hundred titles across the UK including The Scotsman, Yorkshire Post, Sunderland Echo, Belfast's News Letter, and The News in Portsmouth; believes that this dispute is not only about pay and conditions, but about the securing the future sustainability of these local titles; regrets that by prioritising short term profits and shareholder pay-outs whilst cutting staff to unsustainable levels, the management of National World are not only jeopardising the long-term viability of the business but also placing an intolerable burden on the well-being of its staff; and therefore calls on management to take steps to improve minimum salaries and address pay disparities at the company to ensure journalists are fairly compensated for their essential contributions to our society and democracy.

163960 year link between the twin towns of Kirkcaldy and Ingolstadt

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Neale Hanvey

That this House celebrates the 60 years of friendship and enduring links between the twin towns of Kirkcaldy in Fife and Ingolstadt in Bavaria; recognises the work of the Kirkcaldy Ingolstadt Association, and Chair, Robert Main, in facilitating and developing cultural, social, economic, educational and tourist exchanges between the towns; gives thanks to Dr Christian Scharpf, Oberburgermeister, for the gift of The Sandtner Model, a beautiful miniature replica of Ingolstadt’s historic town centre; commends Cllr Jim Leishman, the Provost of Fife, and Cllr Ian Cameron, Convenor Kirkcaldy Area Committee, for their votes of thanks at the Civic Reception; thanks the visiting friends from Ingolstadt, including exchange students, Karina Meier, Jana Nißl, Mihaela Josipovic, Nele Pöppel, Yannick Maertl and Michael Maier, and their teachers Teresa Frey and Teresa Reitzer; and looks forward to many more years of this significant, warm and reciprocal relationship between our towns and our people.

1640Home Affairs Committee Report on Drugs

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 6

Grahame Morris

Chris Stephens

Liz Saville Roberts

Beth Winter

Ian Byrne

Ian Mearns

That this House welcomes the Home Affairs Committee's Report on Drugs, published on 31 August 2023, and supports its call for an increased public health response and expanded range of harm reduction approaches; shares the concerns of the Committee, in particular the urgent need for a strategy to combat the feared forthcoming flood of synthetic opioids; notes that this Report recognises the value of drug-checking services, diversion schemes, naloxone availability, actions to overcome stigma and other barriers to treatment, promoting the role of those with lived experience, supporting diamorphine-assisted treatment and piloting safe consumption facilities; further notes the Committee’s concerns over the sustainability and security of funding for the treatment and recovery sector, which underline the need for longer-term funding frameworks to enable proper planning and provision of sustainable drug treatment services; agrees wholeheartedly that the review and reform of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is long-overdue; and calls on the Government to respond to the Committee in a timely fashion, adopting the recommendations of the Report.

1641Mr David Potter, teacher, author and historian

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Neale Hanvey

That this House pays tribute to the life of Mr David Potter, teacher, author, historian and active member of the Kirkcaldy community; commends his 32 year career as a classics and Greek teacher at Glenrothes High School where he inspired a generation of pupils with his warmth, humour and intellect; celebrates his authorship and publication of 65 books on a range of topics including classics, Kirkcaldy and its people, sport most notably Celtic and Newcastle Football Clubs and the world of politics; applauds his deep community spirit and his involvement with Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Old Kirk Players and Kirkcaldy civic society; recognises that his life embodied the very best of community spirit given by a man of exceptional character who left the world a better place through his presence, contribution and humanity; and offers deepest condolences to his wife Rosemary, their children and grandchildren in celebration of his memory.

1642Lancaster Sustainability Hub

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Cat Smith

That this House welcomes the Lancaster Sustainability Hub, a new community resource opened in Marketgate on 5 September; notes that it is hosted by Green Rose Community Interest Company and that it offers free advice and support to local households to help people to reduce energy bills, to stay warmer and to live more sustainably; further notes that the Hub provides examples of small and large measures that households can use to save energy, including draught proofing, low-energy lightbulbs, solar panels and heat pumps; observes that local residents will be able to drop in while they are doing their shopping and find answers to their energy questions; and commends the work of all those who have worked hard to make this happen, especially the Directors of Green Rose CIC, Georgina Somerville, James Somerville and Alexandra Wolfenden, and their team.

1643Transitional arrangements for All-Party Parliamentary Groups

Tabled: 19/09/23 Signatories: 1

Sir Peter Bottomley

That this House acknowledges the intentions of the work of the Committee of Standards on all party parliamentary groups; asks for another debate on the proposed transitional arrangements, preferably after a meeting with the hon. Member for Worthing West and others; recognises the ending of foreign government funding; asks the Committee of Standards to consider afresh the adverse impacts that will be consequential to the coming requirements on restricting the number of officers, the ban on naming other interested Peers and MPs, and the need to have at least 20 Members remembering that every Peer and MP is held to be a member of every group; believes that many valuable groups will find it difficult to assemble eight parliamentarians at a specified time in a specific place; and respectfully suggests that reconsideration can lead to gaining more while losing less of value.

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.

1570150th Anniversary of St Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Dumbarton

Tabled: 5/09/23 Signatories: 5

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

That this House notes that St Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Dumbarton recently held anniversary celebration events to mark 150 years of serving the people of Dumbarton and surrounding areas with their ecumenical needs and working with the local community; understands that as well as providing a place of worship for the local community, it also has a community hall which local numerous groups use to tackle social issues that are found at the heart of town ministry, particularly poverty and recovery from addiction; further notes that in addition to these local groups the Church is the base for the local food bank, Food for Thought, which provides emergency food aid five days a week to those struggling to provide for their families; and believes that the Church has played an invaluable role in the development of the town and the local community and wishes it well for the next 150 years.

1573Battlefield Rest and The Food Awards Scotland

Tabled: 5/09/23 Signatories: 7

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

Patricia Gibson

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates the Battlefield Rest for winning the Best Italian Establishment award and the Restaurant of the Year in Glasgow award at The Food Awards Scotland; recognises the value of the Battlefield Rest as a social hub for people across Glasgow and as a vital part of the local economy; and wishes the Battlefield Rest every continued success.

1575Pulmonary fibrosis awareness month

Tabled: 5/09/23 Signatories: 20

Mohammad Yasin

Valerie Vaz

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Jon Trickett

Sir Mike Penning

That this House marks Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month which takes place in September; acknowledges the importance of raising awareness of pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating and often life-threatening lung condition affecting 70,000 people across the United Kingdom; regrets that 1% of all deaths are due to pulmonary fibrosis; recognises the work of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, healthcare professionals, and researchers in raising awareness of the reality of living with pulmonary fibrosis; reaffirms the need for fast and accurate diagnosis, as well as access to treatments and pulmonary rehabilitation; understands the need for improved funding for research and support services; and calls on the Government to support initiatives that raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis, encourage early diagnosis, and promote research into the disease.

1578Zain's Curry House, Dalry

Tabled: 6/09/23 Signatories: 5

Patricia Gibson

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Zain's Curry House in Dalry, North Ayrshire, on securing the accolade of Takeaway of the Year for the second consecutive year at the Food Awards Scotland 2023; further congratulates Zain’s Curry House on being named as Best Takeaway in South West Scotland at last year’s awards; recognises that these awards continue to build on the family-run business’ many achievements including being awarded Best Takeaway Restaurant in Ayrshire by the Asian Catering Federation in 2021; applauds the continued hard work of owner Khurum Jabbar, Head Chef Abdul Jabbar and the dedicated staff who have worked so hard to secure such acclaim and recognition and to attract a loyal customer base; commends Zain’s Curry House for its 23 years of service and many contributions to the local community, including its work with charities such as Homeless Project Scotland; and once again wishes Zain’s Curry House continued success in serving the community of Dalry and beyond.

1580Compensation for nuclear test veterans

Tabled: 6/09/23 Signatories: 38

Peter Grant

Carol Monaghan

Brendan O'Hara

Chris Stephens

Dr Philippa Whitford

Marion Fellows

That this House recognises the contribution of the nuclear test veterans, including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary veterans who were present during the nuclear testing programme from 1952 to 1967; acknowledges the sacrifices made by more than 20,000 British personnel who took part in these atomic tests; notes that nuclear test veterans have suffered various health conditions as a result of exposure to high levels of ionising radiation; welcomes the decision to award commemorative service medals honouring the nuclear test veterans, whilst also questioning why it took over half a century for such medallic recognition to be granted; laments the fact that thousands of nuclear test veterans died without their sacrifice being formally acknowledged; believes that current measures do not go far enough; and calls for a package of financial compensation for nuclear test veterans and their families.

1586Industrial action by social care workers in Glasgow

Tabled: 7/09/23 Signatories: 13

Chris Stephens

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

Kate Osborne

Allan Dorans

That this House thanks social care staff across Scotland and the rest of the UK who work in frontline community services to care for our most vulnerable; recognises that many social care workers, especially in the private sector, are in receipt of low pay and poor terms and conditions which do not reflect the vital services of social care workers whilst companies profit from human need; gives its full support to GMB Scotland’s members at Baillieston, Cardonald and Stobhill care homes in Glasgow in their dispute with their employer Silverline Care, now administered by the Minster Care Group, and their unprecedented strike action on 5 and 6 September, the first strike in private social care in Scotland; understands that Silverline Care and Minster Care Group have torn up the trade union recognition agreement without notice, rescinded previous pay offers and refuse to hold further pay talks; calls on the employer to recommence pay talks immediately with GMB Scotland to deliver an offer that reflects the value of social care workers and recognises their collective voice; believes that trade unions must be at the heart of social care to secure a strong collective voice for social care workers; notes the work being undertaken by the Scottish Government’s Fair Work in Social Care Workstreams, including the workstream on sectoral bargaining; welcomes the commitment from the Scottish Government to implement sectoral bargaining; and acknowledges that GMB Scotland’s dispute with Silverline Care and Minster Care Group highlights the need for sectoral bargaining.

1587Energy prices for pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 7

Daisy Cooper

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

Claudia Webbe

That this House notes with alarm the findings from Ofgem’s Non-domestic market review that hospitality businesses are unable to secure competitive energy contracts, and that they are the most likely sector to be refused service by many energy suppliers; regrets that continuing inflated energy costs are a major contributory factor in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses being forced to close for good; further notes with concern the resulting loss of community amenities, employment, and negative effects on the wider supply chain; calls on the government to urgently introduce statutory protections within the energy market to enable hospitality businesses to have access to an equivalent range of suppliers and rates as other non-domestic energy customers; urges Ofgem to mandate greater transparency in non-domestic billing and prices for non-domestic energy users; requests that the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero takes immediate steps to end the practice of energy suppliers blacklisting entire sectors such as hospitality from their products; and further calls on the government to improve the regulation of energy brokers, by introducing a formal and binding redress scheme for non-domestic users, and requiring greater transparency on fees.

1589Gorebridge Community Cares, Midlothian

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 7

Owen Thompson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Patrick Grady

Ms Anum Qaisar

Drew Hendry

That this House notes the outstanding work by Gorebridge Community Cares to provide a high level of service to residents across the local area in Midlothian; applauds the hard work and selfless commitment of organisers Mhairi Barrett and Claire Crawford; further notes the comprehensive breadth of support available, from courses in food hygiene, support groups, educational opportunities, cooking workshops, a greenhouse to grow food and develop gardening skills, CV tutorials and computer skills training; highlights how this has become a lifeline for many people in the current cost-of-living crisis; underlines the fundamental importance of such a vital scheme delivered by an exceptional staff team with lived experience and local connections; and wishes them and all of their service users every success in their future endeavours.

1591The Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal and Royal Air Forces Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 9

Helen Morgan

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

Wendy Chamberlain

Allan Dorans

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House has the utmost admiration for all those who have served in His Majesty's Armed Forces; notes that veterans who have shown outstanding dedication to their King or late Queen and country should be awarded with fitting medallic recognition; is concerned that the Ministry of Defence's medallic recognition policy outlines that only veterans who served from after 29 July 2014 are eligible to be awarded the Her Late Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal and Royal Air Forces Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with clasps; understands that these medals are awarded to members of the Armed Forces who served for five continuous years during Her Late Majesty's reign; recognises that should the initiation date be set to the beginning of Her Late Majesty’s reign many more members of the Armed Forces would qualify to be awarded these medals; expresses concern that the initiation date was set as such only for administrative reasons; and calls on the Government to review the Ministry of Defence's medallic recognition policy to reflect the brave services of all veterans to their King and country.

1595UK manufactures of lower carbon construction vehicles

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 16

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Sir Peter Bottomley

Sir George Howarth

Dr Philippa Whitford

Claudia Webbe

Kim Johnson

This House welcomes the Government’s decision to review the lower weight limits being imposed on greener volumetric mobile concrete plants (VCMs) as a first step to reversing regulations that are devastating a great British manufacturer, threatening 15,000 skilled jobs in 137 constituencies, contributing £380 million to the UK economy; further notes that VCMs operated legally at 38.4 tonnes and above for 50 years, producing concrete with zero waste and far fewer road miles than old fashioned drum mixers, saving annually an estimated 14 million lorry-miles to UK roads, 598,000 lorry journeys, 120,000 tonnes of CO2, preventing a 20% increase in CO2, nitrogen oxide and particulates, and extra carbon costs of £7 million; further notes the 2017 report commissioned by Highways England endorsed 44 tonnes as a safe weight for 5 axle VCMs and 38.5 tonnes for VCMs on four axles; also notes that unless the Review reverses the decision to abolish 44 tonne VCMs in 2028, the sole UK VCM manufacturer in Sheffield will cease trading; further notes Denmark raised the weight limit from 32 tonnes to 38 tonnes and in Italy and Scandinavia 44 tonne VCMs are road-legal; recognises the UK concrete market is dominated by foreign-owned conglomerates running rival drum mixers at 32 tonnes; notes that the Government abolished the unrealistic 32 tonne weight limit for all-electric HGVs; further notes the Labour Opposition commitment to reverse this weight cut; and calls on Ministers to permit VCMs to run at higher weights too.

1596Sir Ian Wilmut

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 9

Owen Thompson

Angela Crawley

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Ms Anum Qaisar

That this House extends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir Ian Wilmut, a titan of the scientific world, who has died at the age of 79; recognises the enormous contribution of Sir Ian who led the team behind the world famous cloned sheep Dolly; acknowledges his ground-breaking work at the influential Roslin Institute in Midlothian; emphasises the role his work continues to play in advances that have been made in the field of regenerative medicine; highlights the fact his research helped pave the way for potential stem cell treatments to tackle degenerative diseases; and wishes his colleagues at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute continued success in ensuring his legacy drives so many innovative applications emerging from animal and human biology research.

1597University duty of care

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 10

Tim Farron

Layla Moran

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

John McDonnell

Clive Lewis

That this House calls for higher education institutions to have a statutory duty of care for their students; deeply regrets the tragic consequences of past failures to recognise when students have experienced significant challenges to their mental health and the subsequent impacts on their family and friends; particularly regrets instances where universities have failed to inform families of students’ struggles, including acts of self harm, even when given express consent to share that information; recognises that, although students are paying for higher education institutions, they are not simply customers of their services; highlights that many students are young people with little experience of independent living, higher exposure to the challenging aspects of social media usage, and who continue to face the ongoing negative impacts of the covid-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis, and climate crisis, putting them at higher risk of experiencing mental health issues; and urges the Government to encourage higher education institutions to make student wellbeing a strategic priority.

1598Young fundraisers Caitie and Holly McCubbin

Tabled: 11/09/23 Signatories: 17

Dr Philippa Whitford

Brendan O'Hara

Angela Crawley

Patricia Gibson

Ms Anum Qaisar

John McNally

That this House congratulates sisters Caitie (age 8) and Holly (age 7) McCubbin on cycling 100 miles each during their summer holidays to raise funds for two charities which have helped their grandfathers, along with Epic Games which matched their funds; applauds Caitie for raising £904 for the British Heart Foundation which supported her papa after he had two heart attacks, and applauds Holly for raising £1,031 for Ataxia UK which supports her pappy, following his diagnosis of Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia; commends both of them for using their summer holidays as an opportunity to fundraise for these important charities; wishes them well in their future fundraising endeavours; and congratulates their parents who must be justifiably proud of both of them.

1603Community News Project and Meta

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 11

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Owen Thompson

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House acknowledges the success of the Community News Project (CNP) since 2018, enhancing diversity and representation in regional and local newsrooms across the UK; applauds the CNP's pivotal role in training budding journalists to cover grassroots community issues; expresses concern over Meta's decision to cease funding the CNP from December 2023, which may jeopardise the future of many trainees; urges major digital platforms, including Meta, to support and reinvest in vital community journalism initiatives; and calls on Members to champion local news and support balanced relations between digital media and content creators.

1604Dalmarnock Primary School Inspection Report

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 5

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Dalmarnock Primary School on their Very Good Education Scotland inspection report; recognises that the inspection team remarked on the relentless drive, focus and commitment of the headteacher, Nancy Clunie, in addressing and overcoming all potential barriers to children’s participation and achievement; commends the teaching and support staff for their work in closing the attainment gap; notes the expertise and creativity of staff in engaging young people in their classes; commends the young people of Dalmarnock Primary School, who were found by inspectors to be eager to learn, articulate, confident, and supportive of one another; appreciates that staff are mindful of the cost of the school day, and welcomes the use of Pupil Equity Funding to enhance the experiences of learning; welcomes the commitment by Dalmarnock Primary School to meaningful partnership working, which has benefited the wider school community; and wishes everyone at Dalmarnock Primary School all the very best for the future.

1605One-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 21

Layla Moran

Claudia Webbe

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House marks the one-year anniversary of the horrific death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iranian authorities; remembers the hundreds of protesters who have been killed or executed in the protests following Mahsa’s death; recognises the ongoing struggle of Iranian protesters and condemns the use of excessive force, violence, arbitrary arrests and execution by Iranian authorities to curtail protests and freedom of expression; expresses further concern at the reports of increasing arrests of activists in the weeks leading up to the anniversary of Mahsa’s death; supports the case for proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation; and calls for the street the Iranian Embassy sits on to be re-named ‘Mahsa Amini Avenue’ in tribute to the young woman who inspired so many and as a symbol of the UK’s solidarity with the Iranian people.

1606Service of Paul Kehoe, House of Commons Senior Doorkeeper

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 22

Grahame Morris

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Hollern

That this house sends its warmest congratulations and thanks to Paul Kehoe on completing an impressive 44 years of loyal service in the House of Commons; recognises his kindness, hard work and loyal service during this time; and looks forward to working with him through his 45th year and beyond.

1607Human rights in Manipur

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 21

Nadia Whittome

Apsana Begum

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Zarah Sultana

Beth Winter

Ian Byrne

That this House notes the ongoing, grave human rights violations in Manipur, India, including acts of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, home destruction, forced displacement, torture and ill-treatment, predominantly targeting the Kuki-Zo people, a tribal community who are largely Christian; further notes that between 3 May and mid-August an estimated 160 people have been killed and over 300 injured, with more than 40,000 people being displaced by the violence; highlights that UN experts have raised serious concerns about the slow and inadequate response by the Indian government, including law enforcement; recognises that these human rights violations occur as part of wider attacks on religious and ethnic minorities across India, many of which public officials have been accused of aiding and abetting; and calls on the Government to raise the issue of human rights violations in Manipur with the Indian government and to halt negotiations towards a UK-India free trade agreement while such violations continue to occur.

1608Calling for a free and democratic Iran

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 9

Bob Blackman

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Martyn Day

Rachael Maskell

John Spellar

That this House is deeply concerned by the ongoing crackdown on peaceful protesters by the regime of Iran, which continues to execute dissidents with total impunity and which is also trying to export its reign of terror abroad, including by targeting dissidents living in Europe with terrorist attacks; condemns illegal efforts by Iran to compel European countries to restrict the human rights of its opponents; calls on the government of Albania in particular to uphold the rights of members of the Iranian opposition PMOI (MEK) at Ashraf-3, under the European Convention on Human Rights, the 1951 Refugee Convention and international law as stipulated in the Albanian Prime Minister's 2016 letter to the Vice-President European Parliament; reiterates that MEK members at Ashraf-3 have the right to political activity and that this right is guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of which Albania is a state party; and calls on His Majesty’s Government to declare its solidarity with Iran’s democratic opposition and to support international accountability efforts for the perpetrators of human rights violations in Iran, including for the 1988 massacre of some 30,000 political prisoners and the deadly crackdown on current-day protesters.

160950 years of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 11

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House recognises that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society; acknowledges the importance of the society over the years in promoting the work, legacy and memory of celebrated Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh; notes that the Society was founded in 1973 to protect buildings designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh such as the former Queen's Cross Church, which was at risk of being lost due to the proposed motorway expansion; welcomes the invaluable contributions of the Society to the maintenance of Glasgow's architectural heritage; and congratulates the Society and all its members on this significant anniversary.

1610Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2023

Tabled: 12/09/23 Signatories: 8

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House acknowledges this year's Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival on 11-17 September 2023, with over 100 buildings open to the public and a programme of more than 100 trails, tours and special events; notes that the Doors Open Days Festival has been organised every year since 1990 when it began as part of the celebrations of Glasgow’s status as European Capital of Culture; welcomes the role that it continues to play as an integral part of Scotland’s contribution to European Heritage Days; recognises the importance of the festival to raise awareness of and facilitating support for Glasgow’s architectural and cultural heritage; congratulates the organisers, participants and partners of the festival; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.

1612The 42nd Great North Run

Tabled: 13/09/23 Signatories: 21

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Julie Elliott

Ian Mearns

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Osborne

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House celebrates the thousands of runners who crossed the finish line in South Shields on Sunday 10th September after taking part in the 42nd Great North Run; notes that the Great North Run as an institution demonstrates our region, and history and our people; highlights the boost the run gives charities across the country and to businesses in the north east; commemorates four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah for competing as his farewell from professional athletics and recognises his enormous contribution to athletics and services to sport; thanks the Run's founder, Sir Brendan Foster, the organisers, and the volunteers who make this momentous event possible every year; and congratulates all the runners that took part.

1613Appointment of Hannah Fennell and Sheila Keith as President and Vice-President of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation

Tabled: 13/09/23 Signatories: 5

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Wendy Chamberlain

Patrick Grady

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

This House congratulates Hannah Fennell and Sheila Keith on their appointments as the President and Vice-President of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF); notes their experience from their roles within the Orkney Fisheries Association and Shetland Fishermen’s Association; believes that the SFF has a key role to play in promoting the long term security and sustainability of Scottish fishing; recognises the service of the outgoing President, Ian Gatt; and wishes both Hannah and Sheila all the best in their roles, as the SFF celebrates its 50th anniversary.

1614Bannerman High School 50th anniversary

Tabled: 14/09/23 Signatories: 8

David Linden

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

Drew Hendry

That this House celebrates the 50th anniversary of Bannerman High School in Baillieston, Glasgow; sincerely thanks the teachers, staff and parents for the work they do in educating the young adults of Glasgow East; recognises that the school has provided high quality education to pupils from across the East End of Glasgow, particularly Baillieston, Garrowhill, Mount Vernon, Carmyle and Swinton; congratulates staff past and present for fostering a positive learning environment that has helped their pupils excel in all areas of the curriculum; commends both the teachers and pupils for their work which has enabled Bannerman High School to consistently excel in areas like the performing arts, dance and music; and wishes pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community involved with Bannerman High School the best of luck for another successful 50 years.

1615Forth Valley Sensory Centre Wee County Hub

Tabled: 14/09/23 Signatories: 5

John Nicolson

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House welcomes the launch of Forth Valley Sensory Centre’s new sensory hub at Tullibody Civic Centre, notes that the Wee County Hub brings support and services directly to people of all ages living with sensory loss in Clackmannanshire, including information and advice, social opportunities and British Sign Language classes; and recognises the work of Forth Valley Sensory Centre to build confidence and independence in those who are blind, deaf, or who have hearing loss or visual impairments.

1616COP28

Tabled: 14/09/23 Signatories: 19

Caroline Lucas

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards

Claire Hanna

John McDonnell

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this house notes that COP28, taking place between 30th Nov and 12th Dec 2023, marks a critical stage in the global effort to secure a liveable future; expresses alarm about escalating climate impacts, current commitments being vastly insufficient and governments planning to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than is consistent with limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees; urges the UK to advocate for the phase out of fossil fuels to be on the agenda at COP28 in recognition of the end of the fossil fuel era; welcomes that the Prime Minister will be attending COP28 in person and calls on him to work with other leaders to deliver an agreement on the urgent and just phase out of all fossil fuels; calls on the UK to back an ambitious political deal in response to the Global Stocktake at COP28; notes the damaging impact of the delayed delivery of the pledge of $100bn climate finance on trust between countries and achieving the Paris Agreement goals; further urges the Government to deliver its existing climate finance commitments in full, ensure funding is new and additional, and support efforts to increase climate finance at COP28, laying the ground work for the New Collective Quantified Goal to be agreed next year; and believes that COP28 must see the operationalising of a properly resourced Loss and Damage Finance Fund, that the UK should support this goal, and provide grant-based funds for addressing Loss and Damage.

1617TUC Conference 2023 resolution on public sector pay

Tabled: 14/09/23 Signatories: 23

Beth Winter

John McDonnell

Andy McDonald

Richard Burgon

Apsana Begum

Ian Byrne

That this House notes that real weekly wages remain below where they were in 2008; further notes that wages in the public sector continue to fall in real terms; recognises the final public sector pay settlements for 2022-23 reflected an increase on the initial public sector pay review body recommendations following trade union campaigns involving industrial action; believes that real terms pay restoration is necessary for public sector workers nationwide; welcomes the policy carried by TUC Conference 2023 calling for pay increases for public sector workers that at least match inflation and that provide for pay restoration; and calls on the Government to set out a programme to provide for pay restoration for all public sector workers.

1618Right to Food Week 2023

Tabled: 14/09/23 Signatories: 44

Ian Byrne

Alison Thewliss

Claudia Webbe

Beth Winter

Claire Hanna

John McDonnell

That this House recognises that Right to Food Week 2023 takes place between 18 and 23 September 2023; highlights the injustices of hunger; notes that 18% of UK households are experiencing food insecurity and more than half a million children dropped below the poverty line in the last year; acknowledges the profound and devastating consequences of food insecurity on health, wellbeing and livelihoods; agrees that the Government has a duty to ensure nobody in our communities goes hungry; asserts that the Government’s duty should be reflected in legislation and that the right to food should be enshrined in UK law; agrees legislation should include (a) a rollout of universal free school meals, (b) a statement of the proportion of minimum wages and benefits, on which people are expected to live, is spent on food, (c) independent enforcement of legislation, (d) funding of community kitchens, (e) guarantees of food security; recognises the many councils across the country that have declared themselves right-to-food cities and towns; recognises that Trade Union Congress in 2021, 2022 and 2023 passed motions calling for the right to food to be enshrined in law; notes the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee have called on the Government to facilitate a country visit of the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food to the UK by the end of this year; and asserts that a Right to Food enshrined in UK law is desperately needed so that everyone, including all children, are legally protected from hunger.

1619World Arthritis Day 2023

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 7

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Cat Smith

That this House celebrates World Arthritis Day, which is due to take place on 12 October 2023; welcomes its aims to raise awareness of arthritis and educates people about the symptoms, preventive measures and treatment options available; praises the work that researchers, healthcare professionals and campaigners at Versus Arthritis are doing in supporting the over 10 million people living with arthritis across the UK and their ambition to ensure that, one day, no one will have to live with the pain, fatigue and isolation that arthritis causes; recognises that having arthritis impacts a person’s life in numerous ways, including the impact on a person's ability to work, with one in five economically inactive people living with arthritis or another form of musculoskeletal condition; notes the current long NHS waiting times for people having knee and hip surgery; and calls on the Government to bring down waiting times for people with arthritis and support them to wait well across the UK.

1620University of St Andrews

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 5

Wendy Chamberlain

Christine Jardine

Ms Anum Qaisar

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the University of St Andrews on its historic achievement in coming top of both the UK’s main university rankings; notes that the University took top place in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and the Guardian University Guide 2024; understands that this is the first time that any UK university other than Cambridge and Oxford has led both major higher education league tables in the same year; further understands that this is the fourth time in the last three years that the University of St Andrews has disrupted the long-standing Oxford and Cambridge duopoly in university rankings; believes that the University of St Andrews’ top place is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its staff and students; welcomes the University’s success in the two rankings and the contribution which the University makes to North East Fife, Scotland, and the UK; and wishes the staff and students of the University well in their continued efforts.

1621Migrants in Scotland

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 6

Anne McLaughlin

Allan Dorans

Ms Anum Qaisar

Deidre Brock

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House notes the publication of new research on public attitudes to immigration in Scotland from Migration Policy Scotland, the first of its kind since 2014; welcomes the news that people in Scotland have become more positive towards immigration since then; acknowledges that more people in Scotland would like to see immigration go up than down and that the number who would like a reduction in immigration has dropped by 30 percentage points; celebrates the findings that nearly 60 per cent of Scots see immigration as having a positive impact on Scotland and that 74 per cent believe diversity is good for Scotland; understands Scotland’s need for increased levels of immigration to bolster its population and to grow the economy; and recognises the important part migrants have played and continue to play in Scotland’s success as a nation.

1622Highland Discovery College

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 6

Drew Hendry

Allan Dorans

Ms Anum Qaisar

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the Highland Discovery College, run by Centred, on their recent opening in their Eastgate Centre, Inverness premises; recognises that the Discovery College is the Highland’s first college dedicated to helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of wellbeing, mental health, and substance use; commends all at Centred for their ongoing hard work and dedication to supporting individuals with mental health difficulties in the Highlands; and wishes them every success for the future with this new initiative.

162364th anniversary of the Auchengeich Mining disaster

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 9

Steven Bonnar

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Mike Penning

Dr Philippa Whitford

Ms Anum Qaisar

That this House acknowledges that Monday 18 September 2023 is the 64th anniversary of the Auchengeich Mining disaster, Scotland's worst mining disaster of the 20th Century; respectfully remembers the 47 men who lost their lives after a fault with equipment caused a fire in the mine; further remembers that 41 women were widowed by that tragedy, and 76 children lost their father; acknowledges the enduring impact on the community of Moodiesburn and the surrounding areas; expresses gratitude to the Auchengeich Memorial Committee for their commitment in continuing to commemorate the disaster by arranging a memorial service every year at the Auchengeich Memorial statue in Moodiesburn; and commends the whole Moodiesburn community for their dignity, respect and togetherness in their endeavours to keep alive the memories of those lost to the disaster, while paying respect to them and their families.

162440 years of the Gregson Community and Arts Centre

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 3

Cat Smith

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House celebrates the Gregson Community and Arts Centre’s 40th anniversary as a community led and community owned space at the heart of Lancaster; thanks the team at the Gregson for ensuring that in a world that seems increasingly disconnected, where more of us feel isolated and where community can seem in decline, the Gregson is a beacon of hope offering the community of different people, ages and cultures a place to come together which is reflected in the Gregson being home to around 50 regular groups; notes that despite the challenges of lockdowns in recent years a dedicated and tenacious team have ensured Lancaster’s only community run café and bar is fighting fit to serve hungry and thirsty Lancastrians for another 40 years and more; and gives thanks to all who work and volunteer to ensure the Greggy is an honest and warm hearted social hub in its own right.

1625Michael Pegg, Barrhead postmaster

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 7

Kirsten Oswald

Allan Dorans

Ms Anum Qaisar

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Michael Pegg, a postmaster from Barrhead, upon his retirement from the Post Office after 21 years of dedicated service to the community; notes that Michael originally worked in Kennoway Post Office in Fife before venturing into other retail ventures until his first retirement; understands Michael then exited retirement to start working at the Post Office again in 2002; expresses gratitude for the work undertaken by Michael as postmaster, ensuring the communities and businesses of Barrhead and the surrounding areas were connected; recognises the importance of Post Offices to local communities and further notes the challenges currently facing Post Offices due to changing mail volumes; and wishes Michael a happy and healthy retirement, which he intends to use to travel more with his wife and playing golf.

1626Transport for London cleaning review

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 10

Apsana Begum

Marsha De Cordova

John McDonnell

Jeremy Corbyn

Ian Mearns

Grahame Morris

That this House welcomes the decision by the London Mayor to conduct work to assess TfL’s ability to bring cleaning in-house; further welcomes the fact that RMT and Transport for London are now holding discussions to see whether and how this can be facilitated, preventing the need for TfL’s cleaning to be re-tendered in 2024; believes that cleaning work on London’s world-famous underground should not be done at the expense of those heroic keyworkers, who worked through the pandemic while being employed on basic terms and conditions inferior to those of other London Underground staff; and wishes the Mayor, the RMT and TfL every success in their endeavours to bring cleaners in-house.

1627Senedd reform

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 4

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Chris Stephens

That this House notes the publication of electoral reform legislation by the Welsh Government as part of the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru on 18 September, 26 years to the day Wales voted Yes for devolution; recognises that these reforms follow the recommendations of a cross-party committee and will ensure a stronger and more representative Senedd, better able to fulfil its key purpose of making a positive difference for people across Wales; emphasizes that the Senedd has spearheaded progressive policies including free prescriptions for all and universal primary free school meals; highlights that the reform package increases the size of the Senedd to 96 members, bringing it closer to parity with other devolved legislatures; recognises that all seats will be elected via proportional representation, which, alongside statutory gender quotas and returning to four-year terms, will guarantee a more representative Senedd where every vote counts; stresses the stark contrast with the UK Government approach of introducing voter ID and reducing the number of Welsh MPs by eight; highlights that the annual cost of the reforms represent 0.07% of the Welsh budget, offset against the loss of MEP representation following Brexit and MP representation following the boundary review, considerably less than the costs of the expanding membership of the House of Lords, and the estimated £22 billion cost of restoring the Palace of Westminster, which matches Wales’ whole annual budget; and calls on the UK Government to follow in the Senedd’s footsteps by enacting progressive electoral reforms that underwrite and strengthen democracy.

1628International day of the older person

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 5

Jim Shannon

Sir Mike Penning

Ms Anum Qaisar

Chris Stephens

Marsha De Cordova

That this House, celebrating the International Day of the Older Person on Sunday 1 October, equally celebrates the contribution of Christian charity Faith in Later Life and its partners to change the societal narrative of ageism towards older people as called for by the United Nations and acknowledges the contribution of church champions and volunteers across the country, making a difference at a local level to ensure that all older people are enabled to flourish in the church and, more importantly, wider society, both now and in the future.

1629Pet abduction

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 5

Kate Osborne

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House notes the tragic rise in pet abduction; further notes that pet theft is a traumatic experience; condemns the lack of a specific pet abduction offence; is horrified by the tragic story of Winnie a much loved family pet who went missing from her home on 4 September and, following a huge search by the people of Jarrow and South Shields, Winnie’s damaged and deceased body was discovered; believes that the emotional and welfare impact of this crime should be recognised; and calls on the Government to bring forward a single issue bill on pet abduction.

1630Financial education

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 7

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Ms Anum Qaisar

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House is concerned that research undertaken by Compare the Market and MyBnk shows that only 2 in 5 young adults are financially literate in the UK; recognises that the same research showed that 70% of young adults support the regular provision of financial education lessons for students at school; further recognises that people who are unemployed or from lower-income backgrounds are more likely to have lower financial literacy; believes that increased financial literacy would ensure people gain the skills they need to manage money in a cost-effective way, which is especially pertinent during the current cost-of-living crisis; and urges the Government to work with schools to guarantee 30 hours a year of financial education lessons for every 11 to 18 year old, irrespective of which education pathway they are on.

1631Oban’s Robert MacIntrye and Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup team

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 11

Brendan O'Hara

Allan Dorans

Gavin Newlands

Dr Philippa Whitford

Marion Fellows

Ms Anum Qaisar

That this House sends its warmest congratulations to Oban golfer Robert MacIntyre, who has qualified to represent Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup against the United States at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome, Italy; notes that Robert, who honed his skill at Glencruitten golf club in Oban, is the first Scot to make the European team since Stephen Gallagher in 2014; commends his extraordinary talent, commitment and drive, which has seen him rise through the ranks putting him firmly in the golfing elite; recognises that the people of Oban and Scotland are immensely proud of him; and sends him and the team the very best of luck in the tournament.

1632Defence Equipment and Support, Beith

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 6

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Ms Anum Qaisar

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House is aware that workers at Defence Equipment and Support (DE and S) at Beith in North Ayrshire, an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence, are continuing strike action for improved pay and conditions; notes that this strike action is unprecedented, the first in the history of that organisation, and backed by 93 per cent. of members; is concerned to hear that non-craft workers preparing arms for shipment at the depot, face discrimination in the payment of bonuses, relative to craft workers who assemble munitions; rejects the fact that retention payments are made to managers and craft workers, while non-craft colleagues earning less than £21,000 a year have been excluded from retention bonuses; understands that the operation of the facility is vital in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of equipment to UK armed forces and the Ukrainian frontline as it fights to protect its territorial integrity and freedom in the face of Russian aggression; is mindful of the fact that the striking workers have not undertaken this action lightly; believe it is essential to stand with these workers who reject a two-tier workforce and support their action for a fairer and more equal working environment where the work of all those at DE and S is respected and recognised with a bonus scheme which is fair to all workers at the site; and calls on the Ministry of Defence to urgently intervene to ensure a fair resolution to the industrial dispute.

1633UK Savings Week September 2023

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 4

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Mike Penning

Jim Shannon

That this House notes September 18 to 24 is UK savings week; commends the overall thrust of the campaign that even in a very difficult economic climate A small start can lead to a big change, and expresses the hope that particularly among younger people starting to earn in their initial employment months, commencing a lifelong habit, even in a small way, can lead to a more sustainable and prosperous future for themselves and those closest to them.

1634COP28 and human rights

Tabled: 18/09/23 Signatories: 5

Caroline Lucas

Dr Philippa Whitford

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Nadia Whittome

That this House is concerned that the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) will be held in the United Arab Emirates amid ongoing repression and human rights violations, and risks being used to greenwash and distract from the UAE’s appalling human rights records; notes the ongoing detention of 60 members of Emirati Civil Society sentenced in a mass trial over a decade ago; condemns the ongoing detention of Emirati blogger and human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, who is being held in prolonged solitary confinement and denied adequate medical care, in violation of international human rights law and putting his life at risk; urges the Government to leverage its close relationship with the UAE to publicly and privately urge the UAE to take concrete steps to improve its human rights record in the lead up to the COP-28 summit; and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Mansoor.