Contents

Published: Thursday 16 May 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 15 May 2024

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

760Saltire Patisserie, Midlothian and Scottish Baker of the Year Awards

Tabled: 15/05/24 Signatories: 2

Owen Thompson

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Saltire Patisserie Ltd bakery in Loanhead, Midlothian, for their recent successes at the prestigious Scottish Baker of the Year Awards; recognises their Best in Scotland Gold Award for their steak pie, Best in Region Gold Award for their steak pie and Best in Region Gold Award for their corn bread; acknowledges that this is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, creativity and hard work put into the bakery; applauds the bakery’s commitment to greatness, combined with an innovative approach and attention to detail; further acknowledges that this award is a well-deserved recognition of the Saltire Patisserie Ltd team’s efforts and the quality of products and experiences they provide to customers; and wishes Saltire Patisserie Ltd continued success and acclaim in the future.

761Penicuik Athletic youth football club and Colin Campbell Sports Cup

Tabled: 15/05/24 Signatories: 2

Owen Thompson

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the Penicuik Athletic YFC under-17s team for their recent success at the Colin Campbell Sports Cup; acknowledges their award for first place; recognises that this is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work that the team put into their training and football games; applauds their sportsmanship during the game; further acknowledges that this award is a well-deserved recognition of the players' and coaches' outstanding teamwork and efforts; and wishes Penicuik Athletic YFC under-17s continued success and acclaim in the future.

762Imperial War Museums and union derecognition

Tabled: 15/05/24 Signatories: 14

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

Grahame Morris

Ian Lavery

Richard Burgon

Ian Byrne

That this House is alarmed by reports that Imperial War Museums plans to derecognise the Public and Commercial Services union and the First Division Association for the purposes of collective representation and bargaining; is concerned that derecognising these trade unions would undermine the collective bargaining power of staff, leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary decisions by management, with limited recourse for addressing grievances or negotiating fair terms of employment; warns that derecognising any union undermines the principles of democracy and representation in the workplace, and could have significant negative effects on equality by exacerbating wage disparities, reducing job security and access to benefits, worsening working conditions, diminishing workers’ voice and representation, limiting training and advancement opportunities, and weakening legal protections for workers; and calls on the Government to intervene to help resolve this dispute by ensuring that these unions remain recognised by Imperial War Museums.

763Support for Bristow staff

Tabled: 15/05/24 Signatories: 2

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Chris Stephens

That this House commends the work of Bristow staff who operate helicopters for search and rescue services in the Outer Hebrides across Scotland and the UK and who also operate offshore oil and gas flights; supports the 360 staff including pilots, co-pilots, winchmen operators and winchmen paramedics in their decision to vote to strike due to the derisory pay offer and the attack on their terms and conditions; condemns the pay offer by Bristow which in real terms means those brave individuals who take people on emergency medical evacuations or go out to ships in storms, as well as providing transport for workers on North Sea Oil rigs have seen a 25% decrease in their pay; thanks BALPA the union for supporting staff through this challenging time; and further thanks the courageous and highly motivated staff for the work they do in the Outer Hebrides and elsewhere in these islands.

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.

71846th anniversary of the murder of Altab Ali

Tabled: 2/05/24 Signatories: 14

Apsana Begum

Caroline Lucas

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Clive Lewis

That this House marks the 46th anniversary of the racially motivated murder of the 25-year-old textile factory worker, Altab Ali, on 4th May 1978; notes that in the 1970s far right activity and racism was prevalent in East London and that Asian and Black people were frequently attacked; recognises that Altab Ali’s murder sparked protests and anti-racist campaigning leading to the historic Battle for Brick Lane and the birth of groups like the Anti-Nazi League and Rock against Racism; plays tribute in particular to the Bangladeshi community and allies in East London’s resistance to far-right extremism and institutional racism; expresses concern at the current increase in far right activity and rising levels of racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism; and stands in solidarity with our diverse communities in opposition to the far right and those who try to divide society with fear, bigotry and intolerance.

7202024 Basque regional election results

Tabled: 2/05/24 Signatories: 8

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Law

This House notes the results of the 2024 Basque regional election held on 21 April; congratulates EH Bildu for receiving the best election results in its history having won over 340,000 votes and 27 seats, an increase of six since the last election; commends EH Bildu for the positive and peaceful vision it offered voters during the election with a focus on health, housing, employment and the concerns of young people; and calls on the United Kingdom to strengthen ties with the Basque Country in the spirit of promoting peace and democratic values.

721World Press Freedom Day

Tabled: 2/05/24 Signatories: 21

Jeremy Corbyn

Hywel Williams

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

Richard Burgon

Ian Lavery

This House applauds World Press Freedom Day in declaring its respect and admiration for all journalists and media representatives around the world who face the horrors of possible harassment, incarceration, injury, and death; deplores the targeting of journalists who are simply carrying out their invaluable work; mourns those journalists who have died in conflicts both past and present; notes the significant death toll in Russia - 11 since February 2022 - and Gaza - 92 Palestinians, 2 Israelis since 7 November 2023; condemns the persecution of journalists speaking out against these wars, including the detention of Evan Gershkovich in Russia and the continued imprisonment of Julian Assange, who is being held in a maximum security prison for his role in exposing the truth about war crimes; and demands the release of all journalists who have been persecuted for doing their job.

72225th anniversary of Ashwood Scotland Ltd

Tabled: 7/05/24 Signatories: 7

Hannah Bardell

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

Steven Bonnar

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Ashwood Scotland Ltd on its 25th anniversary; recognises that Ashwood Scotland was founded in 1999 and began operating out of a small office in Livingston; also congratulates it on its significant success since then, including the completion of over 500 projects; commends Ashwood Scotland’s focus on supporting positive mental health in its staff and taking part in community building projects; highlights their founder and Managing Director, Archie Meikle, and the rest of the wonderful staff keeping the company thriving today; and wishes Ashwood Scotland every success for the future and Archie Meikle joy in his retirement.

72430th anniversary of the International Working Group on Women and Sport

Tabled: 7/05/24 Signatories: 5

Sarah Dyke

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport on the 30th anniversary of their inception in 1994; recognises the success of the IWG in gaining the support of over 600 international sporting federations from around the globe who have signed their Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration; celebrates the launch of the IWG’s webinar series that complements the refreshed IWG Insight Hub; notes, however, that there is much more work needed to increase opportunities for women and girls in sport; is concerned that only 19% of girls aspire to reach the top in sports; is alarmed by the lack of space for girls to play sport, with recent research showing that 49% of girls feel unsafe in local parks and just 34% enjoy exercise in local parks; calls on the Government to improve the safeguarding of space for women and girls to play sport; and encourages continued action at all levels to achieve gender-parity within sport.

725Government surveillance of bank accounts

Tabled: 7/05/24 Signatories: 33

Richard Burgon

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

John McDonnell

Nadia Whittome

Margaret Greenwood

Apsana Begum

That this House is deeply alarmed by new powers contained within the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill that would allow the Government to engage in the mass surveillance of tens of millions of people's bank accounts; notes that these new powers would force banks to spy on the 23 million individuals in the welfare system, including those who are disabled, sick, caregivers, jobseekers and pensioners, as well as on the private banking data of people related to them including partners, parents, landlords and other associates; further notes that this will be reliant on systems using artificial intelligence to monitor the accounts of all customers to flag activity considered suspicious by the Department for Work and Pensions and believes that this risks creating a Post Office Horizon-style scandal where innocent people suffered wrongful prosecutions, financial ruin and reputational damage; believes that this is a huge infringement on an individual’s right to financial privacy and violates the principle of a presumption of innocence that people should not be spied on unless the police suspect wrongdoing; rejects the idea of treating the disabled, sick, carers or those looking for work as criminals by default; further believes that the Government already has significant powers to review the bank statements of fraud suspects under existing laws; and calls on the Government to remove these powers from the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.

729Tom Stoltman, Winner of World's Strongest Man Competition

Tabled: 7/05/24 Signatories: 6

Jamie Stone

Jim Shannon

Sarah Dyke

Chris Law

Wendy Chamberlain

Chris Stephens

That this House offers its utmost congratulations to Tom Stoltman on his incredible achievement of winning World’s Strongest Man 2024; notes this is the third time he has claimed the title in only four years; further notes the sacrifices and challenges he has faced on his journey; and recognises the inspiring work he and his brother have done to act as ambassadors for the sport at a local level in the Highlands and nationally across the UK.

731Dementia Action Week

Tabled: 7/05/24 Signatories: 21

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Christine Jardine

Chris Law

Cat Smith

Patrick Grady

That this House notes Dementia Action Week 2024, taking place from 13 to 19 May 2024; highlights that Dementia Action Week is an awareness raising campaign and each year the Alzheimer's Society works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to act on Dementia; underlines the support offered to those pre and post diagnosis and furthermore the advice offered to help people cope with memory loss and other immediate symptoms; further notes that there are over 900,000 people living with Dementia in the UK and that this is expected to rise sharply in the coming years; thanks charities like the Alzheimer's Society for all the support they provide in relation to this; and also notes that people collectively can continue to do their bit to educate themselves on how best to assist those with Dementia.

732Frome Town FC promotion to Southern League Premier South

Tabled: 7/05/24 Signatories: 4

Sarah Dyke

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Frome Town FC on their victory in the Division One South play-off final and promotion to the Southern League Premier South; looks forward to watching Frome Town FC compete next season; recognises that grassroots sports clubs are often at the heart of local communities; however is concerned by the financial pressures non-league football clubs are facing; believes action is needed to ensure non-league football clubs are not lost; disagrees with the Football Association’s recent decision to scrap FA Cup replays after the first round; and wants to see a more equitable sharing of power throughout football governance.

735Maasai evictions in Tanzania

Tabled: 8/05/24 Signatories: 10

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

John McDonnell

Claudia Webbe

Apsana Begum

That this House stands in solidarity with the Maasai people of Tanzania who are being forcibly evicted by their Government on the false pretext that they are damaging the eco systems through population growth; notes that some 150,000 Maasai people live in the Ngorongoro and Loliondo Conservation; further notes that the United Nations Special Rapporteurs have already called on the Tanzanian Government to immediately halt plans for the relocation of indigenous people; also notes that on 5 February 2024 the Secretary General of the UN made a detailed report of violent evictions to the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, from the Society for Threatened Peoples; notes that Tanzania persists in violating international law by depriving Maasai in the greater Serengeti Ecosystem of their access to grazing land and forcing relocation; further notes the removal of funding by the World Bank for the REGROW project; expresses alarm that the Tanzanian security forces are using unlawful force to remove local indigenous communities without consultation or lawful reason to do so; calls on the Tanzanian Government to cease such action forthwith, to permit visits by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to repatriate those removed to date, and to compensate those injured in the process; further calls on British tourists to boycott areas where forcible evictions are taking place; and also calls on the United Arab Emirates to refuse to participate in any displacement of indigenous people, and to cease to engage in trophy hunting in Tanzania.

736McClure solicitors

Tabled: 8/05/24 Signatories: 4

Kate Osborne

Dr Philippa Whitford

John McDonnell

Chris Stephens

That this House notes with concern the impact from the collapse of W.W & J McClure Solicitors Law Firm in 2021; understands that the firm had around 100,000 clients across Britain, many of whom held wills or family trusts managed by the law firm; further notes with concern that many former clients have encountered difficulties in dealing with their property and investments within their Trusts; is alarmed by reports that families have been unable to sell properties as former solicitors of McClure were placed on the deeds of their properties; also notes reports that people suffering from bereavement are finding unknown names on deeds and trusts when dealing with their estate; notes that people are incurring new legal costs to remove these names; further notes that thousands of McClures clients are still unaware the firm went bust; and urges the Government to do all they can to identify and assist those former clients who have been impacted by this scandal.

73715th anniversary of the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War and support for the Tamil community

Tabled: 8/05/24 Signatories: 6

George Galloway

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Claudia Webbe

Chris Stephens

That this House acknowledges the 15th anniversary of the Sri Lankan Civil War's conclusion on 18 May 2009, marking the end of a conflict that caused significant casualties and displacement, particularly affecting the Tamil community; remembers all lives lost, emphasising the civilian casualties and the enduring suffering and impact on the Tamil survivors and their descendants; urges the Sri Lankan Government to comply with international legal norms in investigating allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses, advocating for international oversight to ensure impartial justice and reconciliation; encourages continued international support for human rights monitoring and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka, highlighting the UK's role in promoting sustainable peace and respect for all ethnic groups; recognises the contributions of the Tamil diaspora in the UK, who have been pivotal in fostering awareness and dialogue about the human rights challenges facing Tamils in Sri Lanka; recommends that the UK Government enhance its support for human rights and humanitarian initiatives in Sri Lanka, leading international reconstruction and reconciliation endeavours; proposes a debate in this House to assess the current status of Sri Lanka's Tamil community and evaluate the UK's involvement in supporting global human rights and peace-building initiatives; and reaffirms this House's dedication to fostering global peace, justice, and human rights, underscoring the importance of international solidarity against historical injustices.

738Public ownership of water

Tabled: 8/05/24 Signatories: 35

Caroline Lucas

Apsana Begum

Clive Lewis

Mohammad Yasin

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

That this House condemns the mismanagement and underinvestment which led to untreated sewage being discharged into English waterways for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023; notes that water companies in England have incurred debts of more than £64 billion and paid out £78 billion in dividends since they were privatised debt-free in 1989; further notes that water companies paid out £1.4 billion in dividends in 2022, even as 11 of them were fined in the same year for missing performance targets; recognises that climate change is making flooding and droughts more frequent and more severe, necessitating changes to the way we manage our water system in order to build resilience; believes that a Government bailout of Thames Water would send a dangerous signal to other utility companies that reckless decisions carry no private risk; urges Ofwat to reject Thames Water’s request to be allowed to increase bills and limit fines to protect its finances, which would reward mismanagement at the expense of customers and the public; further believes that private for-profit ownership is not an appropriate model for water, as an essential utility where no meaningful competition is possible; calls on the Government to put Thames Water into special administration and to transfer its assets and functions to a publicly-owned company; and further calls for all the English water companies to be brought into public ownership so that our water network can be managed for the benefit of all citizens.

739Pesticide use in towns and cities

Tabled: 9/05/24 Signatories: 20

Caroline Lucas

Ian Byrne

John McNally

Wera Hobhouse

Liz Saville Roberts

Nadia Whittome

That this House recognises the harm caused to both human health and the environment by the use of pesticides such as glyphosate in our villages, towns, cities and public spaces; notes that glyphosate was designated as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation in 2015, is increasingly being linked to Parkinson’s, and can be toxic to wildlife including bees; further notes that overuse of pesticides in towns and cities is destroying areas that wildlife, including birds, insects, bees and hedgehogs, rely on for food and shelter, and that pesticides run off hard surfaces such as pavements, thereby contaminating water courses and harming aquatic life; commends the more than 100 local authorities across the UK that have either ended their use of pesticides or taken significant steps towards doing so despite limited funds and resources, including by pursuing manual methods such as hand weeding and strimming, new technologies like hot foam and mechanical brushes, and by embracing greener public spaces which benefit both human wellbeing and wildlife; further recognises the importance of ensuring that infrastructure and public spaces remain accessible to all users, including those with accessibility needs; therefore urges local authorities to consult with local disability stakeholders regarding their transition to non-chemical alternatives for weed control; and calls for legislation to be introduced to implement a national phase-out of all pesticide use in public areas under local authority control as has been done in France and Luxembourg.

740Selina Rashid, Say It with Flowers Award

Tabled: 9/05/24 Signatories: 6

Marion Fellows

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Anne McLaughlin

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises the achievements and hard work of Selina Rashid who was the recent recipient of Wishaw Press’s Say It with Flowers Award that celebrates those who go above and beyond to help others; congratulates her, along with Abdul and Khalida Rashid, as well as Agnes Ferguson, for running the Post Office and the minimarket convenience store in New Stevenson for over 10 years; further recognises her selfless and generous character that led to being nominated and the recipient of the award; acknowledges her recent going public against the Post Office Network on mystery Horizon shortfalls yet still found time to take care and look after others and the community; and wishes her luck with her new business as a digital creator.

742Funding to restore the historic Mavisbank building

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 5

Owen Thompson

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Anne McLaughlin

Chris Stephens

This this House welcomes the £5.3 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to restore the historic building of Mavisbank in Loanhead, Midlothian; congratulates the campaigners who have strived for more than 50 years to save this 18th century building, the Landmark Trust has worked with Midlothian Council, Historic Environment Scotland, the Mavisbank bank Trust and other to identify a viable solution for this property; and notes Mavisbank was built in 1723, in a pioneering neo-Classical style which William Adam’s son Robert Adam and others would develop for Edinburgh’s New Town a generation later, set in 70 acres with a walled garden, canal and Palladian influences, it would become a blueprint for countless other country villas across the country, in the 19th century Mavisbank became a ground-breaking hospital where reforming Doctor John Batty Tuke developed compassionate approaches to mental illness, including through exercise and gardening, Mavisbank House is a building of outstanding importance to Scottish and UK national heritage and this funding will enable the Landmark Trust to acquire Mavisbank House and safeguard the historic fabric of the Category A building, laying the foundations for a sustainable and brighter future.

745World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day 2024

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 5

Sarah Green [R]

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House notes that Crohn's and colitis are serious chronic diseases where your immune system affects the gut, affecting over 500,000 people in the UK; recognises that stigma, myths, and misunderstandings means thousands of people with these conditions are suffering in silence; acknowledges that World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day on 19 May is an opportunity to raise awareness of these conditions; commends the work of Crohn’s & Colitis UK in supporting people living with IBD; and encourages hon. Members to support them in raising awareness of Crohn's and Colitis amongst the public and healthcare professionals.

746Arms sales to Israel

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 3

George Galloway

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

That this House notes clearly established international law which prohibits intentionally or recklessly attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure; further notes that British arms sold to Israel are potentially being used to commit such serious violations of international law; condemns the killing of tens of thousands of people by Israel, and the forced displacement, starvation and deprivation upon more than 2 million people; therefore calls for an immediate suspension of arms licences and arms exports to the government of Israel; and further calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

748Day for Mourning and Solidarity with Gaza

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 3

George Galloway

Claudia Webbe

Chris Stephens

That this House notes the global Day for Mourning and Solidarity with Gaza held on 14 May 2024 organised by Experts House; expresses its solidarity with those standing up against the ongoing genocide in Gaza; and condemns the suffering endured by the people of Gaza, and the unprecedented growing death toll among civilians, including women and children, as well as humanitarian workers, healthcare and medical staff, journalists and media workers.

749Scrutiny of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and arms exports to Israel

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 23

Mick Whitley

George Galloway

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Jeremy Corbyn

Grahame Morris

That this House expresses its deep concerns regarding the Israeli offensive on Rafah, which it believes will seriously worsen what is already one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises; reiterates its calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire; further expresses its frustration at the Government’s continued refusal to suspend arms exports to Israel; echoes the warnings issued by Lady Hale and over six hundred distinguished members of the legal profession in their correspondence to the Prime Minister of 3 April 2024 that the provision of military assistance and material to Israel may render the UK complicit in genocide as well as in serious breaches of International Humanitarian Law; notes that, as a result of his not having a seat in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs has been unable to participate in departmental questions in the House and that Members have been restricted in their ability to scrutinise his work and that of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, particularly in relation to arms licences to Israel; believes that the moral imperative of ending arms exports to Israel is now so great as to warrant the House taking exceptional measures; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to work with the Speaker to make necessary preparations for the Secretary of State to answer questions on this and other matters from hon. Members from the Bar of the House of Commons as soon as possible.

750St Leonard’s Catholic School, City of Durham (No. 2)

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 5

Mary Kelly Foy

George Galloway

Jim Shannon

Kate Osborne

Chris Stephens

That this House notes with great concern that the Department for Education has still not offered mitigating circumstances for the pupils of St Leonard’s Catholic School in City of Durham constituency despite the disruption to their education caused by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete; notes that a parliamentary petition, signed by thousands of concerned constituents, has called on the Department for Education to implement mitigating circumstances for St Leonard’s pupils; condemns the Department’s complacency and indifference to the St Leonard’s community; and pays tribute to the determination and resilience of parents, pupils and teachers of St Leonard’s in light of this clear injustice.

751Diagnosing Coeliac disease

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 17

Mrs Sharon Hodgson

Mr Kevan Jones

Ben Lake

John McDonnell

Daisy Cooper

George Galloway

That this House recognises that coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune disease affecting 1 in 100 people; expresses concern that almost two-thirds of people with the condition, equating to almost half a million people in the UK remain undiagnosed, running the risk of long term complications; notes that the average time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis of 13 years is unacceptable and highlights that it is essential that efforts are made to improve awareness of the condition amongst healthcare professionals and the public to recognise the symptoms of the disease and ensure faster diagnosis; notes that there is no national leadership and accountability for coeliac disease within NHS England and calls on the Government to take steps towards reducing the time to diagnosis by installing national accountability and leadership within NHS England for coeliac disease.

752Llanymddyfri Rugby Club – Clwb Rygbi Llanymddyfri

Tabled: 13/05/24 Signatories: 4

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

George Galloway

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Clwb Rygbi Llanymddyfri, Llandovery RFC, on becoming the undisputed best rugby team in Wales after clinching the Indigo Welsh Premiership play-off final following a tightly-contested 14-7 victory against Newport; pays tribute to the players, coaches and Committee of the Club for completing a Triple Crown of triumphs this season, a feat only accomplished by Pontypridd in the 20-year history of the Welsh Premiership's current iteration; applauds the dedication of the supporters throughout the season; with the Drovers edging the league title by a single point in the season proper, winning the Premiership Cup and the Premiership Final; and wishes the Club well as they embark on a new adventure in the Elite Domestic Competition next season.

754World Hypertension Day 2024

Tabled: 14/05/24 Signatories: 5

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

George Galloway

Chris Stephens

That this House notes that World Hypertension Day 2024 takes place on 17 May 2024, with May Measurement Month, which was established in 2017 by the International Society of Hypertension, running from 1 May to 31 July 2024; further notes that both initiatives aim to highlight the importance of better prevention, detection and treatment of high blood pressure and that the theme of World Hypertension Day is to measure your blood pressure accurately, control it and live longer; also notes that World Hypertension Day is focused on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low-to-middle income areas; highlights that, in addition, Salt Awareness Week takes place between 13 and 19 May 2024, reminding us that reducing the amount of salt in our diet is a quick and easy way to reduce our blood pressure and improve our health; thanks the international society of hypertension for the work they do in marking this occasion; and urges all those across the UK to get involved in recognising World Hypertension Day.

75580th anniversary of the Catalina crash on Vatersay

Tabled: 14/05/24 Signatories: 3

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

That this House notes the 80th anniversary of the crash of the the Catalina aircraft on 12 May 1944; further notes that the aircraft was on a training exercise from Oban to Barra Head but sadly crashed near Heiseaval Beag on the Island of Vatersay; marks the anniversary of the deaths of Flight Sergeant David Clyne, Sergeant Fred Basset and rigger Sergeant Patrick Hines; remembers the bravery of the six other surviving crew members who had suffered the loss of their colleagues as well as remembering their families; also notes the sacrifice and courage of the Catalina crews who hunted U-boats to save the lives of merchant seamen bringing food to nations which were rationing supplies; and recognises that, prior to joining the military, Flight Sergeant David Clyne had a successful football career by playing for Queens Park FC and was twice capped for Scotland at amateur level.

756Youth mobility visas

Tabled: 14/05/24 Signatories: 3

Tim Farron

Jonathan Edwards

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House acknowledges the European Commission’s proposal on youth mobility visas; notes the benefits that youth mobility visas would provide for UK industries who need to supplement their local workforce; recognises that the hospitality and tourism sectors in rural and coastal areas like the Lake District, West Country, and the Scottish Highlands are especially struggling to recruit the staff they need; and urges the Government to take this opportunity to negotiate a deal which also gives British young people the opportunity of living and working abroad.

757Ross Cowie, Point of Light Award

Tabled: 14/05/24 Signatories: 4

Ian Blackford

Anne McLaughlin

Marion Fellows

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises the achievements and hard work of Ross Cowie who is a recipient of the Point of Light Reward for his work with the Lucky2BHere charity that he founded on the Isle of Skye in 2009; congratulates him and all of the others involved in Lucky2BHere for working so hard to install publicly accessible defibrillators across Scotland; further recognises his continuing work with the app providers GoodSAM and Crowdsav which help members of the public locate the nearest defibrillator in case of emergency; acknowledges his additional work on a database which allows him to check the status of each defibrillator across Scotland, ensuring that batteries and pads are always up to date; further acknowledges and recognises the intensive training that Lucky2BHere has provided to over 50,000 people and in schools across Scotland in how to use these defibrillators; and wishes him every success in the future.

758Take Another Look campaign

Tabled: 14/05/24 Signatories: 6

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Anne McLaughlin

Chris Stephens

That this House acknowledges the inherent vulnerability of motorcyclists on UK roads and the tragedy that road traffic collisions bring to motorcycle riders’ loved ones; extends condolences to Tracey Marsh, Maureen Rutherford and Jacqueline Dickson, who all tragically lost their husbands in road traffic collisions; supports the launch of their Take Another Look campaign, which aims to educate motorists on their role and responsibility towards vulnerable road users; notes the importance of increasing motorists’ awareness of motorcycles and reducing accidents; and agrees that all drivers should take another look to save lives.

759The Kew Gardener

Tabled: 14/05/24 Signatories: 2

Sarah Olney

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises the Kew Gardener’s vital role in Kew’s local economy; thanks its owner for his years of service to the community; expresses great concern at the 62.5% increase in the rent charged on the property; notes that dramatic increases in rent have been a contributing factor behind the closure of thousands of businesses across the UK; urges the owners of the property, who claim to pride themselves on being responsible investors, to reconsider their decision to close the premises; and asks that they work constructively with the Kew Gardener to ensure it’s doors can remain open.