Early Day Motions

RECOGNITION OF DYSLEXIA

That this House notes that dyslexia is estimated to occur in eight per cent. of the population; further notes the comments of the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley concluding that dyslexia does not exist; assures the British Dyslexia Association that such views are not shared throughout the House

SCOTTISH BANKNOTES

That this House congratulates Clydesdale Bank on the launch of a new set of Scottish banknotes designs to showcase the very best of Scotland, its people and its heritage; commends the fact that these will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and Homecoming 2009; and welcome

COMPOSTING PERMITS AND CHARGES

That this House expresses concern at proposals within the Environmental Permitting Regulations which would charge schools to register for composting; recognises that the proposed £50 charge would serve as a deterrent for schools considering introducing composting; believes it would impact negatively

FOOD SECURITY

That this House recognises the results of the recent poll conducted by the Institute of Grocery Distribution into consumer attitudes to farming; welcomes the news that 87 per cent. of consumers believe that supermarkets should focus more on selling food produced by British farmers; notes with great

HAROLD PINTER

That this House mourns the death of Nobel prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter on Christmas Eve; notes that he was Hackney born and bred; extends its sympathy to his widow, Lady Antonia Fraser, friends and family; recognises his immense contribution as a playwright, author, actor, screenplay write

USE OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS IN THE GAZA STRIP

That this House expresses alarm about the use of white phosphorus by the Israeli defence forces in the current conflict with Gaza; understands that although the chemical is not illegal under international law, its purpose is primarily intended for smokescreens and signalling on the battlefield; ther

PROPOSAL TO BAN SEAL IMPORTS

That this House recognises that an historic opportunity to introduce an EU-wide ban on the import of and the trade in all seal products is currently within reach, as the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers examine draft EU legislation to that effect in the coming months; notes that the

EQUITABLE LIFE COMPENSATION

That this House recognises that justice delayed has already meant justice denied for many deceased Equitable Life policy holders; notes that the Government frequently sets timetable targets for implementation of policies which it regards as important; calls on the Government to publish a target date

FUTURE OF UK RAIL FREIGHT INDUSTRY

That this House notes the significant environmental benefits of rail freight over other transport modes; welcomes the considerable indirect Government subsidy provided to the rail freight industry to encourage freight on rail; further notes that this subsidy has and will continue to amount to hundre

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE HUNTING ACT 2004

That this House reaffirms its support for the Hunting Act 2004; notes the Ipsos MORI poll in September 2008 highlighting that three out of every four people in Britain do not want fox-hunting to be made legal again, and that 71 per cent. of the rural community backs the ban on fox-hunting; notes tha

MAXIMUM WORKPLACE TEMPERATURE

That this House notes that whilst there is a legal minimum workplace indoor temperature, there is no clear legal maximum workplace temperature so that conditions can vary greatly from employer to employer; further notes that many employees, particularly those working in bakeries, are often subjected

BELOW COST SELLING

That this House notes the negative impact of below cost selling in the food industry on a whole range of issues, from employment conditions and consumer choice to animal welfare and the maintenance of our producer base; is concerned at retailers demanding high levels of discounting disproportionate

VIOXX JUSTICE

That this House deplores the treatment by Merck & Co of hundreds of British citizens whose health was seriously damaged as a result of taking Vioxx, a drug manufactured by the company; welcomes the Under-Secretary of State for Health's assurances in the House on 17 June 2008, that the Department of

SOCIAL SECURITY (S.I., 2008, No. 3270)

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Employment and Support Allowance (Up-rating Modification) (Transitional) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008 No. 3270), dated 18 December 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 29 December, be annulled.

TAX RELIEF ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR EMPLOYEES

That this House calls on the Government to consider offering tax relief at the standard rate of tax on expenses incurred in the use of public transport by employees in travelling to and from their place of employment, so as to offer equality with those who are self-employed and to encourage the use

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE STATE PENSION

after `pension', insert `, based substantially on the work of Charles Booth the great philanthropist and social reformer who lived at Grace Dieu Manor in North West Leicestershire,'.

CLOSURE OF GUANTÁNAMO BAY DETENTION FACILITY

That this House welcomes the announcement of the proposed closure of the Guantánamo Bay Detention Facility; calls for this to happen more quickly than the projection of within the next two years; notes with disgust that it has existed for seven years under the administration of the President of the

ELECTRIC SHOCK TRAINING DEVICES

That this House condemns the sale, manufacture, hire, loan, importation or use of electric shock training devices to train and control dogs, with the exception of electric fences, which operate on a different principle; considers the use of such devices to be cruel and unnecessary; understands that

EPILEPSY IN ENGLAND

That this House notes the Epilepsy Action survey of January 2009; agrees that it is time for change for people with epilepsy; recognises that the majority of primary care trusts and acute trusts in England are failing to meet National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines of

ACTION FOR CHILDREN AS LONG AS IT TAKES CAMPAIGN

That this House supports Action for Children's campaign to highlight the importance of providing support to vulnerable six to 13 year olds; acknowledges the significance of the years of middle childhood as a key time in a child's development; recognises that all children need at least one trusted ad

NATIONAL LIVER REFORM STRATEGY

That this House notes that the increasing prevalence of viral hepatitis, alcohol misuse and obesity is increasing the incidence of, and mortality from, liver disease; further notes that liver disease is the fifth most common cause of death in the UK with over 14,000 people dying from liver disease e

SUPPORT FOR CARERS

That this House notes the dedication of the many thousands of carers in the UK, valued commercially at an estimated £5 billion a year to the health industry; recognises that the Carer's Allowance, which is the main benefit given to carers, is just £50 a week; expresses concern that some carers, incl

RAINFORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

That this House notes the alarming rise in deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest over recent months; further notes that deforestation already accounts for 20 per cent. of global carbon dioxide emissions each year and that curbing deforestation is one of the single most effective ways of halti

BARKING TO GOSPEL OAK LINE ELECTRIFICATION

That this House recognises that the Barking to Gospel Oak line is a very valuable part of the rail network; notes that it is the only section of the North London line without electrification; believes that to become an even more effective part of the passenger and freight network it should be electr

FINANCE SECTOR SALARIES

That this House believes that the finance sector can make a contribution to economic recovery by displaying responsibility in levels of salary and bonus awards; notes with concern reports of large severance payments for departing directors of banks; condemns excessive payments to senior staff whose