Early Day Motions

GROUNDWORK'S 21 YEARS OF SERVICE

That this House congratulates Groundwork on 21 years of local action; recognises the immense value of its work involving thousands of residents, businesses and other local organisations in practical projects that improve quality of life, bring about regeneration and lay the foundations for sustainab

OWNERSHIP OF THE HERALD NEWSPAPER

That this House believes that a strong and diverse media is essential for a healthy and informed democracy; believes therefore that ownership of Scotland's two national broadsheet newspapers should be in different hands; and calls on the Scottish Media Group not to sell The Herald to the owners of T

CHILD SOLDIERS

That this House welcomes Her Majesty's Government's commitment to ratifying the Optional Protocol on the Rights of the Child regarding the age of recruitment and deployment of armed service personnel; recognises that those under the age of 18 years have a special status in terms of international hum

RNIB CYMRU

That this House congratulates RNIB Cymru on the publication of its report 'Changing the way we think about blindness - myth and reality'; notes that the report reveals most people are more frightened of losing their sight than any other disability but completely underestimate the prevalence of sight

YOUTH CHOIR OF THE YEAR

That this House congratulates the Methodist College Belfast Girl's Choir on winning the 'Sainsbury Youth Choir of the Year'; notes this continues the notable tradition in performing arts; and further notes that it reflects the positive side of Northern Ireland and its young people.

SUPPORT WOMEN AGAINST PENSIONS POVERTY CAMPAIGN

That this House notes that a majority of today's poorest pensioners are women; further notes that among people coming up to state pension age, the majority of those with poor rights to both state and private sector pensions are women; recognises that many women with poor state pension rights at some

WALES RALLY GB

That this House congratulates the Welsh Assembly Government, Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board for their endeavours in securing the right for Wales to host the final stage of the World Rally Championship for the next four years; welcomes the prospect that Wales Rally GB will promo

WORLD COPD DAY

That this House calls attention to World COPD Day 2002 as a means of increasing awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; recognises the COPD is the UK's sixth leading cause of death, killing 27,000 people last year and an estimated 2.75 million people world-wide, and that it is reaching e

BRITISH OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION BID TO HOST THE 2012 OLYMPICS

That this House believes that the Government should not support the proposed bid by the British Olympic Association to hold the 2012 Olympics in London until there is an open competition between any UK cities which wish to host the Games.

CANADIAN SEAL HUNT

That this House, notes that the number of animals killed during the 2002 Canadian hunt of harp and hooded seals exceeded 300,000 and a recent study by international veterinarians found up to 42 per cent. of seal pups were skinned alive while fully conscious; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government t

CANCER CHARITIES

That this House applauds the action taken by the 17 cancer charities to highlight the dangers of cancer; recognises the benefits of a co-ordinated approach to cancer detection, research, treatment and prevention through the creation of an anti-cancer strategy across the NHS; welcomes their excellent

RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION BID FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007

That this House notes the RFU bid to host the RWC for 2007; further notes it may attract ú400m into the UK economy; congratulates the RFU for submitting a bid that requires no government funding, a first; applauded the innovative approach in creating a major and a minor world series centres on 54 co

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING ON CHILDREN'S FOOD

That this House notes that one in three children is now categorised as overweight and one in nine obese; further notes that diabetes and heart disease will increase among teenagers resulting in thousands of premature deaths and disabilities in the next generation; and calls on the Government to devi

HOUSE PRICE CHANGES

That this House notes that while house prices in the UK as a whole have risen a massive 77.1 per cent. over the last five years, in the North East this figure is just 3.7 per cent.; recognises that without Government assistance these areas are likely to fall into disrepair and begin a cycle of decli

BRITISH ENERGY AND NUCLEAR POWER

That this House notes the continuing financial difficulties of British Energy and that the existing loan of ú650 million from Her Majesty's Government expires at the end of November; and believes that the continuing problems with the company shows that nuclear power is uneconomic, that no more publi

MORATORIUM ON GM CROP TRIALS

That this House notes the evidence presented to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee by the British Medical Association which called for a moratorium on GM crop trials because of the insufficient care taken to protect public health and the lack of public consultation about crop trials despite th

OXFAM COFFEE RESCUE PLAN

That this House is concerned about the world's millions of coffee growers who as prices have fallen by an estimated 50 per cent. over the past three years, have been forced to sell their crops for less than the cost of production; notes that during this period international coffee companies have con

CONTROL OF FIREWORKS

That this House shares the concerns of the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Assistance Dogs UK, the RSPCA and many other voluntary organisations who believe that the time has now come for the strengthening of regulations concerning fireworks in the UK, including further limita

SINKING OF THE OIL TANKER PRESTIGE

That this House expresses its sympathy to the people of Spain at the environmental and economic devastation caused by oil from the tanker Prestige; and calls on the Government to strengthen safeguards against oil spills in United Kingdom waters, to review urgently Britain's contingency plans to cope

GRANT FUNDING TO THE SOUTH EAST

That this House is deeply concerned that Government proposals in its consultation on the Local Government Finance Formula Grant Distribution to cut grants to services in the South East could cost the region ú500 million from social services, education and other essential public service budgets that

BUSINESS INSURANCE COSTS

That this House notes with concern the substantial increase in the insurance costs to business for employer's liability and public liability cover; further notes that businesses have had premium increases of 500 per cent. or more imposed, or have been refused insurance cover at short notice; recogni

ENDING FUEL POVERTY

That this House notes the submission of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group to the Energy Policy Review and in particular the Group's view that resources for fuel poverty programmes will need to be increased by at least 50 per cent. if Government objectives to end fuel poverty are to be met; further not

DOMESTIC ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGETS

That this House supports the recommendation in the Performance and Innovation Unit report of a target for increased energy efficiency in the domestic sector of 20 per cent. by the year 2010 based on current levels; supports also the Environmental Audit Committee's recent report that viewed 'the Gove

KASHMIR

That this House recognises that the question of self-determination for the people of Kashmir remains unresolved more than 50 years after the creation of India and Pakistan as independent states; expresses concern at the continued reports of human rights violations in the Indian-controlled Kashmir; s

HARROGATE RAILWAY ATHLETIC FC

That this House congratulates Harrogate Railway Athletic FC on reaching the 2nd round of the FA Challenge Cup for the first time in their history; and wishes them well in their forthcoming match against Bristol City.