Early Day Motions

BIOFUELS

That this House notes the 800,000ha of set aside land in the United Kingdom; observes that this land could be used to produce at least one million tonnes of biodiesel/bioethanol for road transport; and urges the Chancellor to introduce measures to promote the production and use of biofuels.

ILLEGAL TIMBER

That this House recognises the importance of tropical rainforests in the balance of the global climate and is aware of the threat posed by illegal felling; believes that Britain should not be the recipient of illegally logged timber; further believes that all timber used in Government projects shoul

PARTNERSHIP TO ACHIEVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGETS

That this House restates its support for the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 and in particular for the aim agreed by all parties when the Act was passed on a 30 per cent. improvement in energy efficiency by 2010; and supports the call made by the Fuel Poverty and Climate Change Conference in Cornw

FUEL POVERTY AND SOCIAL SECTOR TENANTS

That this House commends the Government's commitment to the eradication of fuel poverty in social housing by 2010 and understands the case for replacing the expenditure-based definition of affordable warmth with the requirement that a dwelling should have efficient heating and effective insulation;

CLIMATE CHANGE

That this House notes with concern the UN's International Panel on Climate Change's warning that global temperatures will rise by as much as 5.8 degrees centigrade by 2099; is concerned at the catastrophic effect this will have on agriculture, wildlife, human health and prosperity globally; recognis

MEN OF THE CALAIS DIVERSIONARY FORCE

That this House wishes to see public recognition for the 3,000 men of the Calais Diversionary Force who went to certain capture or death in May 1940 to allow 240,000 lives to be saved at Dunkirk and for the suffering of those who survived as prisoners of war, force marched hundreds of miles at both

REFORM OF THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

That this House believes that the Common Agricultural Policy is outdated and should be reformed; notes that the impact of agricultural subsidies on the economies of poor countries; considers reform of agricultural subsidies to be essential to poverty reduction and to promote sustainable development

INDIAN AND BENGALI RESTAURANTS

That this House recognises the important contribution made to communities in all parts of the UK by Indian and Bengali restaurants; notes the problem that many restaurateurs are now having in recruiting chefs from within this country who have trained in different kinds of Asian cuisine; recognises t

RESTORATION OF STATE PENSION EARNINGS LINK

That this House congratulates the National Pensioners Convention on their successful rally held on 11th November; and calls upon the Government to bring forward an increase in the basic state pension to ú100 per week for a single person and ú156 per week for a couple, to restore the link between the

ANALOGUE SWITCH OFF

That this House notes that the FCC in America has decided that all television sets of 35 inches and larger must have a digital tuner by 1st July 2005 and that all other sets must have them by 1st July 2007; further notes that the UK has prevaricated on this issue of analogue switch off since 1997 an

TRAVELLER LAW REFORM

That this House notes that gypsies and travellers are one of the most excluded groups of people in the country who experience the highest infant mortality rate, the lowest life expectancy, the worst accommodation provisions, the highest illiteracy rates and the most racist press coverage which lead

SOUTH AFRICAN ASBESTOS VICTIMS

That this House recalls the ú21 million settlement of the protracted legal action by 7,500 South African victims against British multinational company, Cape Plc; recognises that the victims are predominantly impoverished black former mineworkers who worked and lived at Cape's mines in the Northern C

DOORSTEP RECYCLING SCHEMES

That this House believes that every household should have a quality doorstep recycling service by 2010; believes that successful schemes show doorstep recycling is possible and popular in both rural and urban areas with recycling rates of up to 52 per cent. in 1999-2000 far exceeding the United King

EXTENSION OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY GRANT SCHEME TO DOMESTIC CHP SYSTEMS AND DOMESTIC HEAT PUMPS

That this House welcomes the Government initiative to encourage the development of new technology by establishing a 50 per cent. grant scheme for householders who install photo-voltaic heating systems in their roofs; believes that encouragement for new technology is essential for achieving long-term

CAMPAIGN ON THE ENVIRONMENT

That this House notes with concern that the United Kingdom remains at the bottom of the European league table on the environment particularly when just 11 per cent. of household waste is recycled or composted; further notes how this contrasts with results of a MORI survey which shows that a majority

THE AUDIT COMMISSION

That this House condemns the allegation that Hull City Council has a culture that tolerates the bullying of council officers by senior members as stated in the Audit Commission's Corporate Governance Inspection Report; notes the confusion that reference is made to exonerate the current Labour Group

PARK HOMES REFORM AND THE DRAFT HOUSING BILL

That this House welcomes the proposal in the Queen's Speech for a draft Housing Bill which provides the best opportunity in 20 years to reform the law on park homes with the introduction of a 'fit person' criteria for park owners and managers, the introduction of sellers' packs, the improvement of s

REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES (PREPARATIONS) BILL

That this House welcomes the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill; recognises that on 11th January the North West Regional Assembly resolved to seel elected status at the earliest opportunity; notes that opinion polls show 72 per cent. support in the North West for an Elected Regional Assembly an

REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES (PREPARATIONS) BILL

leave out from 'House' to end and add 'believes that a referendum on regional government for the North West would be a costly and unnecessary distraction from the real concerns of people throughout Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria who want better public services and h

CETACEAN BYCATCH AND THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

That this House recalls with horror that several hundred dead dolphins were washed up on West Country beaches during the winter and spring of 2002; notes that wildlife experts believe thousands more dolphins, porpoises and whales lost their lives as a consequence of the activities of pelagic trawler

WORLD DIABETES DAY AND THE NATIONAL SERVICE FRAMEWORK

That this House recognises the achievements of the winners of the Lilly Outstanding Achievement and Recognition Awards announced by Sir Steve Redgrave CBE on World Diabetes Day 14th November; urges that these people with diabetes should be seen as positive role models of what can be achieved despite

CHRISTIAN HOLY DAYS AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

That this House notes neither Good Friday nor Christmas Day are included in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 on the grounds that they are traditional days of rest and worship; further notes that the restrictions under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 do not apply to either of these important d

COMBATING FRAUDULENT CHARITY COLLECTIONS

That this House believes that urgent action is needed to deal with fraudulent charity collections, that the existing law does not prevent the registration of crooked charities, and that the official advice on how to prevent fraudulent collections on private premises is ineffective; notes that the Du

PRIMACY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

That this House believes that a reformed House of Lords should not be a duplicate of the House of Commons; further believes that the primacy of the elected House of Commons and its special responsibility of representing people must be maintained and that an elected second chamber, however constitute

ORGANIC ACTION PLAN

That this House welcomes the announcement of an action plan for organic farming in England, and the target for the market share of British organic produce to increase from 30 per cent. to 70 per cent.; believes that this target is achievable as 74 per cent. of non-organic produce is already home pro