Early Day Motions

BIOFUELS

That this House recognises the need for standards to be set regarding the manufacture of biofuels to restrict levels of deforestation and destruction of valuable wildlife habitats; further recognises that the objective of the use of biofuels is to reduce overall greenhouse emissions, a process which

CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND SECOND HOMES

That this House notes with concern the Government's decision to lower the rate for capital gains tax on sales of all property excluding the primary residence, reducing it from a maximum of 40 per cent. and a minimum of 24 per cent. to a flat rate of 18 per cent.; recognises that this could result in

THE POST OFFICE NETWORK AND THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL

That this House believes the Government's plan to close large parts of the Post Office network are misguided and will be detrimental to thousands of communities up and down the country; and calls for a moratorium on plans to close up to 2,500 branches to allow time for the Sustainable Communities Bi

AFFORDABLE HOMES IN RURAL AREAS

That this House calls on local authorities to take a lead by seeking to solve the lack of affordable homes in rural areas, and the challenges to the viability of farms, by working with farmers, house builders and housing associations in order to make use of disused or underused farm buildings for th

ITV BORDER

That this House notes with concern the proposal from ITV to cease transmitting Border Television and replace it with programming from Tyne-Tees based in Gateshead; notes that the economy in Cumbria could suffer a loss of £8.7 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2010 if the proposed cuts go ahead a

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION'S MILITARY COVENANT CAMPAIGN

That this House welcomes the Royal British Legion's campaign calling on the nation and Parliament to honour the military covenant; recognises the important role that the organisation plays in the provision of welfare support for serving men and women, veterans and their families; and urges all hon.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND PRESCRIPTION CHARGES

That this House believes people with cystic fibrosis should not have to pay prescription charges.

NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK

That this House supports National Road Safety Week, 5th to 11th November, co-ordinated by Brake, the road safety charity; is appalled that 2,608 children were killed or seriously injured last year while walking or cycling in the UK - seven children every day; is concerned that road safety education

USE OF ANIMALS TO TEST FOOD ADDITIVES

That this House notes that the Home Office's Statistics for Scientific Procedures on Living Animals for 2006 recorded a 368.4 per cent. rise in the number of animals used to test food additives, from 862 animals in 2005 to 4,038 animals in 2006; is concerned at the Written Answer of 11th October 200

FIRST AID EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

That this House welcomes the British Red Cross report, Life. Live It on first aid in schools and the launch of its first aid education resource for teachers; notes that every year there are three million attendances at hospitals across the United Kingdom in cases where first aid skills could help; s

HEALTH WARNING LABELS FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

That this House welcomes the call by the Salvation Army and the Methodist Church for health warning labels to be attached to all alcoholic drinks; requests that the Government introduces legislation requiring the drinks industry to print cigarette-style health warnings on all products and advertisem

RECOGNITION FOR THOSE WHO SERVED ON RMS ST HELENA IN THE FALKLANDS WAR

That this House pays tribute to residents from the British Overseas Territory of St Helena and others who volunteered to support the United Kingdom in recovering the Falklands following the invasion by Argentina in 1982; recognises with deep gratitude that the RMS St Helena, the only vessel which pr

DEMOCRACY BANK HOLIDAY

That this House believes that the pioneering sacrifices of those who sowed the seeds of British democracy should be celebrated with a new Bank Holiday on the Monday nearest to 4th November, the anniversary of the killing of more than 20 Chartist insurgents in Newport in 1839, recalling other signifi

HELMAND MISSION

That this House salutes the courage and professionalism of UK troops engaged in Afghanistan; recalls the hope expressed that the Helmand mission could be completed within three years without a shot being fired; notes that in Helmand two and a half million rounds have been discharged and £1 billion s

BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS

That this House notes with concern that since 1997 bovine tuberculosis has cost the taxpayer £500 million and resulted in the slaughter of over 160,000 cattle; deplores the lack of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the disease; believes that a package of measures is required which addresses both ca

ACCESS TO COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE

That this House recognises the importance of public access to the coast and countryside for the health and wellbeing of the nation; supports the expansion of access alongside appropriate protection for sensitive habitats; and believes that this is best achieved through voluntary agreements with thos

LIVESTOCK DISEASE

That this House recognises that climate change makes Britain increasingly vulnerable to exotic animal diseases such as African Horse Sickness; notes that the spread of bluetongue disease into England is likely to have been driven by recent changes in the European climate; understands the devastating

SINGLE FARM PAYMENTS

That this House notes the financial hardship English farmers have suffered as a result of the Government's incompetent handling of the single payment scheme; believes that English farmers have been treated in a deplorable manner; regrets that errors and procedural mistakes in administering the singl

HORSE RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS AND INSURANCE

That this House recognises the importance of the equine industry; notes with concern that horse-riding establishments continue to encounter difficulty with insurance claims following accidents and in obtaining insurance cover generally following the House of Lords interpretation of the Animals Act 1

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

That this House understands the public concern caused by the development of genetically modified organisms; believes that consumers have the right to choose non-GM foods and that all foods containing GM material should be clearly labelled as such; further notes that it is scientifically established

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOOD LABELLING

That this House believes that British consumers are entitled to know exactly how and where the food they are eating is produced and that clear and unambiguous labelling stating the country of origin of the major ingredients is required to achieve this; and further believes that this will level the p

BIOENERGY

That this House recognises the important role bioenergy can play in tackling climate change while encouraging energy security and increasing opportunities for farmers and rural communities; regrets that bioenergy represents only 1.5 per cent. of the total UK energy supply; is nevertheless alarmed by

ILLEGAL MEAT IMPORTS

That this House notes with concern that an estimated average of 12,000 tonnes of meat products enter the country illegally each year from countries outside the EU; recognises that illegal meat imports present serious risks to both animal and human health, and threaten the survival of many species in

RURAL POVERTY

That this House notes with concern that one in five people live in poverty in rural areas and that nearly half of those in poverty are in working households; recognises that poor access to transport, employment, health services, post offices and other services such as information technology can furt

EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND AND UK OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME

That this House expresses concern at the apparent delays the Government is experiencing in preparing and finalising its draft UK operational programme in relation to the £96 million of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) monies the UK is entitled to; is further concerned that the Government may not have t