Early Day Motions

NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION FUNDING REDUCTIONS

That this House expresses concern for the cultural and creative industries in Cumbria after the Northern Rock Foundation announced a cut from £22 million to £7 million for 2008 in their allocation of funding for arts and heritage projects; notes that this could jeopardise excellent creative outlets

PASSENGER MEMBERSHIP FOR NETWORK RAIL

That this House calls on Network Rail to recognise the importance of providing genuine public accountability for its services; notes that in a recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Co-operative Party, 81 per cent. of the public felt they had too little say in how public transport was run; urges the

SHOP LOCAL CAMPAIGN

That this House congratulates the East Anglian Daily Times on its Shop Local Campaign; notes that it has already attracted the support of more than 150 shops and other businesses representing a wide cross-section of traders in Essex and Suffolk; welcomes the promotion of the importance of local grow

BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE

That this House is concerned for the future of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, which was closed suddenly in August 2007; believes that such a fine producing theatre, which has been entertaining Bristol audiences since 1766, should have its future secured so that people from around the West Country and

NUCLEAR ENERGY TRENDS

That this House believes that the case for new nuclear power stations has not been made; reminds the UK Government of the risks and costs of nuclear power, in terms of waste disposal, decommissioning, security and health concerns; respects the majority view of hon. Members of the Scottish Parliament

ANDY MURRAY

That this House congratulates Andy Murray on his winning start to 2008; applauds his fantastic fourth career title win at the Qatar Open; notes that Andy Murray is now ranked amongst the top 10 in the tennis world rankings; and cheers the Scottish star on to further successes in the year ahead.

CRIMINALISING PROSTITUTION AND ACTION AGAINST TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

That this House is concerned by recent comments made by Ministers and former Ministers regarding prostitution in the UK; notes that calls to ban prostitution in order to prevent trafficking for sexual exploitation appear to be ill thought-out; understands that Government raids on prostitution establ

CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION

That this House is concerned that the Government persists in detaining children and their families in immigration removal centres; notes that recent work by Save the Children, Bail for Immigration Detainees, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Legal A

ALLEGATIONS OF RACIST ABUSE IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION

That this House is alarmed by the recent report commissioned by the Border and Immigration Agency into allegations of racism in immigration detention centres; notes that investigations at immigration detention centres across the country found a catalogue of racist incidents and mistreatment of detai

FREE POST TO SOLDIERS SERVING IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

That this House notes that many families have loved ones currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; further notes that although parcels can be sent to serving soldiers from the sorting point in London free of charge at Christmas, it can be costly to send such parcels to the sorting point; and calls

DISABILITY POVERTY IN THE UK

That this House notes that the Leonard Cheshire Disability report Disability Poverty in the UK finds that disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to live in poverty; further notes that disabled people can experience poverty in a number of ways including financial poverty, poverty

CARMEN MAYUSA

That this House notes that Colombia remains the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist; further notes that Carmen Mayusa from the Colombian health workers union ANTHOC has been detained since 11th May 2006 and is still awaiting trial; further notes that Carmen Mayusa was arrested f

CAMPAIGN FOR PENSIONS JUSTICE

That this House warmly welcomes the Government's announcement, set out in a written statement on 17th December, to guarantee assistance under the Financial Assistance Scheme for 90 per cent. of people's pensions; applauds the work of everyone involved in the fight for pensions justice, especially th

DANGEROUS DOGS

That this House is alarmed at the number of incidents involving dogs dangerously out of control; urges local authorities to make full use of existing powers, including anti-social behaviour orders and tenancy conditions, to deter irresponsible owners from using their dogs to intimidate the public; c

STEER CLEAR CAMPAIGN

That this House commends the Steer Clear campaign, which encourages all seasonal revellers either to leave their car at home or to appoint a designated driver; furthermore congratulates the Portsmouth News for promoting the campaign, and the 35 pubs that have already signed up, promising to offer a

RACECOURSE BOOKMAKERS

That this House is deeply concerned that hundreds of racecourse bookmakers across the UK will be financially ruined if racecourses refuse to recognise on-course bookmakers' list positions, as has been unintentionally facilitated by the Gambling Act 2005; notes that over £90 million has been spent by

FUNDING FOR SOUTH WEST ARTS

That this House condemns Arts Council England's proposed budget cuts that threaten the continued existence of the Northcott Theatre, Exeter; notes that the Northcott is the only producing theatre between Plymouth and Bristol and something of an oasis in an already under-provisioned and under-funded

FACILITIES FOR DISABLED FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS

That this House notes that it is nearly 10 years since the Football Task Force Report was published with recommendations on improving facilities at football stadia allowing disabled fans a parity of access and enjoyment at football games in this country; notes that since then, a number of clubs acro

CHINESE ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA

That this House notes the increasing engagement of the People's Republic of China in sub-Saharan Africa; warmly welcomes responsible Chinese developmental, commercial and diplomatic involvement; calls on the Government to encourage the Chinese government to ensure its activities, and the activities

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS PROGRAMME (NISP)

That this House congratulates the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) on its achievements since its commencement in 2005 in enabling its 9,500 industry members to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 1.8 million tonnes, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tonnes, reduce

FALKLAND ISLANDS BATTLE DAY

That this House joins the people of the Falkland Islands in marking Battle Day, commemorating those who lost their lives on 8th December 1914, in what was the second major naval engagement of the First World War, when a small British fleet destroyed the infamous German South Atlantic Squadron; notes

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS (INFORMATION) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILL

That this House recognises that there is currently insufficient information available to analyse outcomes for school pupils with special educational needs; welcomes the Special Education Needs (Information) Private Members' Bill which aims to improve the provision and publication of such information

RHYDIAN AND THE X FACTOR

That this House notes the popular support the X Factor contestant Rhydian Roberts has in Wales and across the UK; is concerned to hear reports that members of the public were unable to get through on the telephone voting system to vote for Rhydian; notes the growing Rhydian was Robbed campaign; wish

CONSENSUS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

That this House notes the expressed desire of the rt. hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to build a shared national consensus for a programme of constitutional reform; believes that a participative process for achieving that consensus and involving citizens more directly in democratic decisio

FAIR TRADE FOR BRITISH FARMING

That this House congratulates the Farmers' Guardian, Country Living Magazine and Waitrose on their successful campaign, Fair Trade for British Farming, and for the efforts of the campaign to promote a fair and sustainable price for the high quality food produced by British farmers; notes that most B